by Robyn Carr
She didn’t say anything for a moment that stretched out.
“And if you don’t want a man in your life, you have to say so. Or if you just don’t want a specific man following you around, say, for example, me, you tell me. Just say you don’t want me and I’ll go. I’ll probably be terrible about it... It could kill me, now that I think about it... But...”
“Cody, I’ve never wanted anyone in my life the way I want you,” she said. “And I don’t want to be in LA. I may come back here to this lab if I’m needed, if it’s convenient, but two weeks away from you is way too long. My heart has been aching for you. If you’re happy in Colorado, that would be perfect for me.”
“What about this, Sid? This is important work and you love it.”
“It is and I do. But there are research and development labs in Colorado that would be happy to have me. We could be close to Timberlake. We could talk about us.”
“You ready for that?”
“Yes. I’m in love with you, too. Couldn’t you tell?”
“I wanted to believe that’s what I felt. Will you let me spend the night tonight? Then tomorrow I’ll get out of your hair...”
“You can spend the night, and then tomorrow let’s both get back home. Together.”
“Just to be clear, I want to marry you, Dr. Shandon. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ve never wanted anything so much. Will you say yes?”
“I’ll absolutely marry you. I’ll have to. It’s the only way I can keep all the women back.” She got on her toes and gave him a quick kiss. “I want you all to myself.”
“I think we’re definitely on the same page.” He hugged her close.
“Am I going to have you all to myself or are we still being harassed by Neely?”
“Nah, Neely has found greener pastures. Oh, so much has happened in the two weeks you’ve been gone, it’s mind-boggling. I have a lot to tell you. Then we can go home and help celebrate all the happy endings.”
“Mine will be the happiest of all,” she said.
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.
—LAO TZU
epilogue
ON THE LAST day of August, right before the Labor Day weekend filled up the town of Timberlake and Sullivan’s Crossing campground, Sierra and Connie appeared at the courthouse with Sam in their arms. A friendly-looking judge was on the bench. When it was their turn to go into the courtroom they were followed by lawyers and a witness or two.
Cal, Maggie and Elizabeth were there, dressed in their finery. Dakota and Sid filed in. Sully was there. Connie’s mom and brother were there. Rafe and Lisa followed. Three more firefighters entered.
The judge watched this entourage and smiled. He waited patiently until everyone in the gallery was settled and quiet. “Well,” he said. “Now I see why we couldn’t do this in chambers. Lovely family you have here, Mr. and Mrs. Boyle.”
“Thank you,” Sierra said happily.
“I see some things in my court that are sad, that are tragic, that make me angry, that frustrate and baffle me. But this beautiful story makes my heart glad. I personally think everyone should know about it. I think it should ‘go viral.’ Isn’t that what you young social media people say? Here we have a firefighter and paramedic called out on a terrible accident and thank God he was able to rescue a little guy, unhurt. And he and his wife wanted to keep that little guy and become his new family. What a beautiful story. What an excellent, selfless sentiment. And apparently not just the firefighter and his wife welcome this little guy, Sam, but the whole family and half the neighborhood. Sam,” he said, leaning over the bench and looking at Sam. “It looks like you have chosen a very good family for yourself.” The judge sat back and smiled. “By the power vested in me—”
With one rap of his gavel Sam legally became part of the family.
* * * * *
“A thought-provoking look at women...and the choices they make when they realize their lives aren’t exactly what they expected—or thought they were.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Four Friends
Check out the entire Sullivan’s Crossing series, set in a rustic campground at the crossroads of the Colorado and Continental Divide trails, with a warm welcome for everyone—whether you need a weekend getaway or a whole new lease on life.
What We Find
Any Day Now
The Family Gathering
Looking for more from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr?
Check out the series set in Thunder Point, Oregon, and connect with the cast of unforgettable locals who call it home:
The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance
The Promise
The Homecoming
One Wish
A New Hope
Wildest Dreams
Explore Virgin River, California, where true love and second chances are waiting just around the corner:
Virgin River
Shelter Mountain
Whispering Rock
A Virgin River Christmas
Second Chance Pass
Temptation Ridge
Paradise Valley
Forbidden Falls
Angel’s Peak
Moonlight Road
Promise Canyon
Wild Man Creek
Harvest Moon
Bring Me Home for Christmas
Hidden Summit
Redwood Bend
Sunrise Point
My Kind of Christmas
And don’t miss these bestselling tales of friendship, family and fresh starts:
The Life She Wants
Four Friends
Never Too Late
Swept Away
The Summer That Made Us
“Robyn Carr writes books that touch the heart and the funny bone.”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
Complete your collection today!
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ISBN-13: 9781488023552
The Family Gathering
Copyright © 2018 by Robyn Carr
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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