Sweet Destiny
Page 11
Sparks of heat dance along my skin, spreading like wildfire as I imagine being with him for the first time as husband and wife.
He pulls back, gazing down at me with everything I feel in this moment. “It’s been two days since I felt you sleep in my arms, Sam. We have eaten, danced, visited, and done everything we politely need to do. I’m ready to get out of here if you are.”
I nod without a second thought, ready to be alone with him, too.
Taking my hand in his, we make our goodbye rounds to friends and family, thanking them for everything. Zoey and I make plans for her and Austin to fly up soon then I head over to my sister where I spend extra time, hugging her a little tighter.
“You still plan on leaving tomorrow?” I ask.
A sad smile adorns her face. “Yeah. Have to go back and deal with it at some point. Can’t run away forever, right?”
“Call me if you need me and I’ll be there in a heartbeat,” I tell her.
“I will. Thanks, Sammy, and who knows, maybe South Carolina wouldn’t be such a bad place for a boutique owner after all.”
A sliver of hope works its way into my chest. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that to happen, but more than anything I just want her to be happy.
“I’d love that, Jesse, we all would, but whatever you decide just make sure it’s what is right for you and no one else, okay?”
She nods then gives me one last hug before giving one to Jase. “Make sure to take good care of my sister, Crawford, or my brother will be the least of your worries.”
He isn’t offended in the least by the threat, his gaze finding mine in a time-stopping second. “Don’t worry. I got her.”
The conviction in his tone dances along my skin in a promise of love.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she grumbles goodheartedly. “Go be cute somewhere else.”
Jase is more than happy to do just that. Taking my hand in his, he tugs me through the throng of people, ignoring every single person we pass while I at least try to give a bidding smile and thank you.
Once we make it out to the courtyard, he picks up speed.
I let out a strangled laugh as I struggle to keep up. “Slow down, Crawford, I’m wearing heels here.”
“Sorry, Peaches.” He stops and turns as if he’s going to lift me into his arms, but freezes when a voice calls out into the night.
“Yoo-hoo. Wait up, love birds!”
Jase muffles a curse before we turn around to see who it is.
“Madam Raman,” surprise edges my voice, “you’re still here.” I had tried to find her earlier but couldn’t and assumed she left after the ceremony.
“I was just about to leave but wanted to say goodbye and congratulations.” Her attention swings to Jase. “Even to you, Mr. Grumpy pants.”
I giggle at his grunt.
She comes to stand before us, her smile genuine. “Thank you for inviting me today. I enjoyed getting to watch love repeat itself.”
Her words are both soothing and heartbreaking. “I’m glad you came. And I’m really glad I met you that day,” I confess softly. “Everything you said. It’s all true. I’ve felt it and, at times, even seen it.” I’m a tad embarrassed to admit that to a stranger but I know if anyone understands it’s her.
“That’s because the past always lives inside of us and the ones who choose to pay attention to it are the ones who get to relive it.”
That statement somehow makes complete sense.
“But just because the past lives on that does not mean the outcome is always the same, hmmm.” Reaching out, she places her hand gently on my stomach.
Jase tenses next to me while shock rocks the foundation I stand on.
“You know,” I whisper.
“Of course I do, dear.”
Tears burn my throat before I swallow them back. “It changes things, right?” I ask, even though I shouldn’t. Even if it’s not something I should know.
She doesn’t answer how I hoped she would.
“Life is unpredictable. It can change at a moments notice but that’s when you must have faith and trust in love.” She points to the train clock behind me. “Live without fear, darling, and time will be on your side.”
With a knowing smile, she slowly walks back, fading into the night that surrounds us.
Speechless, I look over at Jase and find his expression stoic.
“She’s still a kook,” he grumbles.
I don’t let him play her off. Not this time. “But you’ve seen it, too,” I say, bringing up what we have yet to talk about. “The clock. What you said to me in the bedroom last night. You have seen what I have, felt it in your heart, haven’t you?”
Seconds tick by before he finally nods.
“For how long?”
Time stretches on as I wait with bated breath for his answer.
“Before I ever met you.”
My eyes close at the revelation. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
He drives a hand through his hair, his feet beginning to pace. “I don’t know, Sam. The whole thing is fucking crazy to me. Past lives aren’t something I ever believed in. I still don’t know if I do.”
I use to feel the same as him but not anymore. There is no denying what we have both seen. What we have both felt from another time.
My attention strays to the clock, the power of it drawing me forward. I sit next to it, my fingers brushing the dented metal.
“You know, ever since the day I found out I was pregnant I haven’t had the nightmare,” I confess quietly, my watery gaze lifting to his. “That has to mean something, right?”
I need the assurance. I need someone to say it to me even if it’s a promise that’s impossible to make.
He senses it and says the words I long to hear. “Yeah, baby. It does.”
My breath catches as my emotion starts to get the best of me.
He crosses over to where I sit, taking my face between both his hands in a signature move. The love reflecting in his dark eyes anchors my entire world.
“I don’t have all the answers, Sam. Maybe at one time we were Rose and Joshua or maybe we are connected to them in some other way. I don’t know and it’s something we will never know. What I do know is we are not them in this life. We are Samantha and Jase Crawford. In this life we make our own destiny, and that destiny is us growing old together…forever.”
My smile appears, matching the lightness in my heart. “I like that destiny. Maybe there’s still a way we can bring Rose and Joshua into this life with us and give them a second chance.”
He frowns, looking confused and a little concerned by the suggestion. “How so?”
I take his hand and move it to my stomach. “If it’s a girl, I want to name her Rose and if it’s a boy, Joshua.”
It’s something I knew I wanted the moment I found out I was pregnant. A way I could keep the past with the present and future.
That handsome grin transforms his face. “I like that idea, baby. We can do anything we want, because as Madam Juju said—”
“Raman,” I correct him on a laugh.
“Juju is better,” he says, his expression amused before it fades altogether. “This time, time is on our side, and I have no doubt we are going to live a long and happy life together.”
Finally, in what feels like took forever, I believe that, too.
Standing, he extends his hand to me. “Do you trust me?”
Two words, two incredibly powerful words that have lived more than once for us. Two words that changed Rose’s life all those years ago.
“With everything that I am.” Smiling, I place my hand in his and let him pull me to my feet. “In this life and the next.”
He pulls me in for a soul-touching kiss before we run off into the dark, hand in hand like that night so long ago, running toward our destiny. Only this time there is no end for us because I believe with every fiber of my being that we are connected, not just now in this life but beyond.
Our souls destined t
o be one forever.
The end… until the next one
Please be sure to check out my website www.authorkclynn.com for what’s coming next or follow me on social media.
Keep scrolling for a complete list of K.C. Lynn’s books
MEN OF HONOR SERIES
These call be read as standalones, but best if read in order!
A mixture of romantic suspense, military romance, friends to lovers romance, small town romance, & second chance romances
FIGHTING TEMPTATION
Jaxson & Julia
SWEET TEMPTATION
Sawyer & Grace
RESISTING TEMPTATION
Cade & Faith
THE FINAL TEMPTATION
Cooper & Kayla
MEN OF HONOR BOX SET
Read the complete series in one!
ACTS OF HONOR SERIES
This is a spin-off series from Men of Honor and have interconnected characters.
A mixture of romantic suspense, military romance, small town romance, & second chance romances
An Act of Redemption
Anna & Logan
An Act of Salvation
Nick & Katelyn
An Act of Obsession
Kolan & Sophie
An Act of Courage
Christopher & Alissa
Fighting with Honor
A Men of Honor tie-in novella
(Best to read after An Act of Courage)
An Act of Love
Van & Ruthie Release date TBA
MEN OF COURAGE SERIES
Although each book has a different couple, there is an interconnected suspense subplot that weaves through the series, so it’s highly recommended to read in order! These have interconnected characters from Sweet Temptation & The Sweet Series.
A mixture of romantic suspense, small town romance, & friends to lovers romances.
Ultimate Sacrifice
Ultimate Revenge
Release date TBA
Ultimate Betrayal
Release date TBA
SWEET SERIES
This is an interconnected spin-off series from Sweet Temptation, but starting from book 2 each story can be read as a standalone.
Sweet Love
Spin-off novella of Sawyer & Grace
Must read after Sweet Temptation
Sweet Haven
Sam & Jase
Sweet Destiny
Sam & Jase’s Wedding Novella
Available Now
Jesse & Matt’s story
Title TBA
Release Date TBA
Sweet Catch
Nate & Piper
Release Date TBA
Sweet Lucy
Lucy’s story
Release Date TBA
CREED BROTHERS SERIES
Fate made us brothers, loyalty made us family.
Each book can be read as a standalone but highly recommended to read the series in order.
Justice
A second chance/secret baby romance
Braxten
A romantic suspense
Release TBA
Knox
A romantic suspense
Release date TBA
STANDALONE BOOKS
Unlawful Justice
Romantic suspense standalone co-written with author K. Langston
Beautifully Insightful
Spin-off standalone from the Men of Honor & Acts of Honor series
Cockloft
Spin-off standalone from Beautiful Insightful
Diary of a First Kiss
A young adult romance
Release date TBA
CONNECT WITH KC LYNN
Find release day info, Men of Honor Monday’s, and more on my website:
www.authorkclynn.com
Join my Ladies of Honor Facebook group:
facebook.com/groups/KCLynnCupcakes
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Acknowledgements
I’m blessed to have so many amazing people who love and support me in this beautiful journey I’m on. Most of them have been with me from the very beginning. They’ve had my back, believed in me, and wouldn’t let me give up when times were daunting.
To everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey with me—family, my beautiful editor, betas, friends, my author groups, bloggers, and readers around the world. You know who you are. Thank you. I love and cherish every single one of you.
About the Author
K.C. Lynn is a small town girl living in Western Canada. She grew up in a family of four children—two sisters and a brother. Her mother was the lady who baked homemade goods for everyone on the street and her father was a respected man who worked in the RCMP. He’s since retired and now works for the criminal justice system. This being one of the things that inspires K.C. to write romantic suspense about the trials and triumphs of our heroes.
K.C. married her high school sweetheart and they started a big family of their own—two adorable girls and a set of handsome twin boys. They still reside in the same small town but K.C.’s heart has always longed for the south, where everyone says ‘y’all’ and eats biscuits and gravy for breakfast.
It was her love for romance books that gave K.C. the courage to sit down and write her own novel. It was then a beautiful world opened up and she found what she was meant to do…write.
When K.C.’s not spending time with her beautiful family, she can be found in her writing cave, living in the fabulous minds of her characters and their stories.