A Last Resort

by Brenda Sinclair

  “Totally agree with you.” He chuckled. “Walter called me two weeks ago to inquire if something could be arranged to surprise his daughters. The shelter paperwork was handled by email and the adoption interview by Skype when the girls were Christmas shopping with a friend. I told the shelter staff how much help Shelley was with Jake. The workers were delighted to have two animals adopted to a loving, responsible forever home.”

  “That puppy and cat will be spoiled rotten in no time, as they should be,” she predicted, recalling Shelley’s time with Jake. “This might be the best Christmas Eve ever.”

  Lyndon kissed her lips. “For all of us.”

  Chapter 28

  The day had flown by for Emma. Playing board games this morning with the girls and being trounced every time. After joining everyone for their daily group hike in the woods after lunch, Emma worried she’d be too sore to even enjoy New Year’s Eve tomorrow night. But that fear hadn’t stopped her from accepting the girls’ invitation to participate in some late afternoon sledding. Then everyone gathered under a canopy of stars after dusk, roasting marshmallows around the outdoor firepit.

  Everyone else had retreated into the cabin, leaving Emma and Lyndon alone. Deliberately, she’d bet. Especially since Rachael insisted the others file into the cabin and watch a movie before dinner.

  “I’m so full,” Emma groaned. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”

  “Not even one more marshmallow?” Lyndon tempted her, waving the perfectly toasted sweet in front of her nose.

  Emma laughed. “Well, maybe one.”

  He tugged off his glove with his teeth and then carefully removed the sweet, gooey treat from the telescopic roasting fork. “Careful, it’s still a bit hot,” he warmed. She blew on the gooey mess and then he fed it to her, his eyes never leaving hers. She heard his sharp intake of breath and he dropped the roasting fork when she boldly licked the remaining traces of marshmallow off his fingers.

  “I’m happy we have a bit of time alone,” Lyndon mumbled, settling behind her on the fallen log and wrapping his arms around her. He nuzzled her neck and she smiled as her stomach did a little flip. His touch affected her like no other man’s had. She couldn’t get enough of him.

  “This week has been so much fun,” Emma whispered, sighing. “I hate to think of it ending in a couple days.”

  Lyndon turned sideways. “It doesn’t have to end. Why don’t you move to B.C. and see where a relationship might take us?”

  Emma couldn’t deny she’d harbored similar thoughts. She couldn’t love Lyndon more, and she’d anticipated a relationship with him someday. A permanent future, including a proposal, marriage, and children. Was that what Lyndon meant by seeing where a relationship might take them? Or did he simply plan on cohabitation without benefit of marriage or any definite plans for their future?

  Was she ready for that step?

  For a less serious, less permanent commitment? If you could even consider it a commitment at all.

  Was Lyndon still as skittish about another relationship as she’d been not that long ago? Did he desire having her in his life without anything as permanent as marriage? Of course, if they discovered they truly weren’t meant for each other, it would save them the time, expense and heartache of a divorce. For some reason, she’d been expecting something more lasting with Lyndon.

  “I… I’ll give the idea serious consideration,” she hedged.

  Lyndon hugged her closely. “I admit, it’s a big step.”

  She nodded as her mind raced. The decision would involve renting her house in Calgary. She wouldn’t sell until she knew they’d definitely be sharing a future together. For now, she’d be giving up her plans for part-time volunteering with Calgary teens. Moving away from friends and fellow authors would be hard, but she couldn’t deny her feelings for Lyndon.

  Were they truly meant for each other?

  She loved Lyndon so much and she should take a chance on them becoming a couple one day. Something, until recently, she couldn’t have envisioned for herself considering her precious track record with relationships. Maybe someday she’d become a wife and even give motherhood a try. She chuckled to herself. No going back there. No simply trying it. She’d be involved with her child for a lifetime. But only with Lyndon. If he eventually thought along the same lines as her.

  Commitment.

  Permanence.

  Forever and ever.

  She wouldn’t settle for anything less. And neither should he.

  Only one way to find out if they’d become husband and wife, and perhaps parents someday. Take that first step.

  “I’m going to do it,” she vowed aloud, hoping he didn’t hear any hesitation in her voice. She leaned in and kissed his lips. Soon he deepened the kiss. “I love you so much,” she whispered.

  “I love you, too.” He looked deep into her eyes. “And I will, always.”

  Emma’s stomach did another little flip. His smoldering look told her he truly did love her. Perhaps they’d find themselves on the same page in life yet.

  Chapter 29

  New Year’s Eve

  Emma had thoroughly enjoyed her holiday stay at the cabin. Especially spending so many days with Lyndon without worrying about meeting a daily word count or fretting over plotting issues or doing last minute research. She chuckled. And poison ivy wasn’t a concern this time of year.

  She loved spending time here with everyone cooking together and popping corn to enjoy while watching nightly movies, feeling like one big happy family. But tomorrow would be their last day together; she’d fly home with Mike and Rachael on the second.

  Emma hated how quickly the time had passed, and she wasn’t excited about returning home to the normal routine. Although she looked forward to the February book signing event, selling her earlier publications and promoting the upcoming release of the book she’d finished writing. Lyndon hadn’t mentioned a timeline for her to move to B.C. or what living arrangements he’d had in mind. She supposed they’d finalize something in January or perhaps after her February event. She wouldn’t worry about it tonight.

  Everyone had spent the afternoon preparing veggies and cleaning shrimp and cutting strips of beef and making wontons for a Chinese food dinner tonight. Shelley enjoyed a laugh a couple of times at their failed culinary attempts, but all in good fun. And the talented teenager had taught them a few tricks in the kitchen also. Emma couldn’t wait to sample the results of their labor.

  Tomorrow, they would enjoy finishing off whatever leftovers were in the fridge, after taking down the decorations in preparation of everyone leaving on the morning of the second. The cabin would look exceedingly barren when it was returned to normal. And Emma intended to keep her Santa hat as a memento of the best Christmas holiday ever. She’d already ordered flowers online to be delivered to Mike and Rachael’s house in Calgary in the late afternoon on January second, as a thank you for the wonderful time she’d spent with them.

  She slipped into her black two-piece silk dress overlaid with delicate black lace and donned diamond earrings to add to the evening’s celebratory feel. She loved the thought of ending another year and ringing in the new. And she anticipated the new year might be the best ever, if she and Lyndon remained a couple.

  A soft knock on her door drew her attention from her musings.

  “Come in,” she called, expecting to find Rachael or perhaps Shelley entering.

  The door opened and Lyndon poked his head inside, eyes tightly closed. “It’s me. Are you certain I should come in?”

  Emma chuckled as she slipped into her leopard print pumps. “I’m dressed and ready to start the celebrations.”

  Lyndon stepped inside, opened his eyes, and took one look at her. “You take my breath away. You look stunning.”

  * * *

  As the evening neared the midnight hour, Lyndon touched Emma’s arm and whispered in her ear, “Would you accompany me outside for a bit of fresh air and some time alone together?”

  “L
ove to.” Emma followed him to the front door and quickly donned her coat.

  They stepped outside and wandered a short ways down the stone path Mike kept snow free. Lyndon followed her gaze as she looked up at the millions of twinkling stars overhead.

  “It’s absolutely amazing here,” she said, softly.

  Lyndon wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “I know. Jake and I enjoy a late night walk every evening. Last chance for him to do his business before we turn in. Gazing at the sky during those strolls, I realize this is as close to perfection as any place I’ve ever lived.”

  “With all the streetlights in Calgary, I never see stars in the night sky at home. This is such a special treat when I’m here.”

  “Does it feel right, being here with me?” Lyndon whispered.

  She nodded. “I’d given up hope for a happy forever, believing that another relationship would be something I’d only consider as a last resort. But I was wrong about those past connections. It wasn’t that I’d failed, those guys failed me. Because I wasn’t involved with the right person.”

  “My first marriage was a disaster almost from the start, despite our best efforts, and I swore I wouldn’t put myself through that again. It scared the daylights out of me, admitting how much I loved you and fearing where the future would lead. But I realize now it’s not that marriage is a bad idea. Marriage with the wrong person will never work out no matter how hard you try.”

  “Being with you seems so right, something destined to happen all along, and those previous failures guided me to this point in my life,” Emma whispered. “Does that make any sense at all?”

  “Actually, it makes perfect sense.” Lyndon kissed her and looked deep into her eyes. “Just the exact reasoning I also worked through. Conversing with you and sharing the cabin together seemed so natural from the first day we met.”

  “For me, too.” Emma hugged him tightly. “I fought my feelings for so long, but I finally admitted I’d fallen in love with you. And when you told me you loved me, too, I considered myself very lucky to have found such a remarkable man. I’ve found the right person this time.”

  “You’re the woman I’ve always been destined to meet and I need you by my side for the rest of my life to feel complete. To become a whole person again. A very intelligent young lady told me I’m really good at building stuff. Shelley’s right, but a lasting relationship with you would be the best thing I’ve ever constructed.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “I need you, too, more than you could ever know. I love you so much, words aren’t enough. If you’re my last resort, sign me up.”

  He smiled. “Emma, we’ve only known each other a couple months, but I cannot imagine my life without you. When you agreed to move to B. C. yesterday, without any real promise of a commitment from me, I realized the depth of your feelings. That you were willing to take a chance on us, and I’m more than ready also. I’d love to be your last resort, if you’ll be mine.” Lyndon dug into his sports jacket pocket and withdrew a small velvet box. “You’re the only woman I want and need in my life, to share everything in the future with you at my side.” He knelt down on one knee. “I love you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

  She gasped and her hand covered her mouth. She’d hoped for a proposal one day, especially after the long talks they’d shared this week. But she hadn’t expected him to propose on bended knee so soon. Whether he waited another month, another year, her answer would still be the same. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, definitely, absolutely… I’ll marry you.”

  “And Jake’s part of the package, too.”

  Emma chuckled. “Of course he is. I love both of you.”

  Lyndon nodded and opened the box.

  Emma inhaled in a rush. “Oh, my goodness. That’s beautiful.” She stared at the amazing antique ring with a large blue sapphire flanked by twin diamonds of equal size set in a wide gold band.

  “This ring was my grandmother’s. When my mother met you recently, she loved you immediately. She presented me with this family heirloom, hoping someday you’d wear it as my wife.”

  Emma stood, speechless, shaking her head. “I… I couldn’t. It must—”

  “It’s insured, and I had the stones checked a week ago. My grandmother would have wanted you to wear it in good health. This ring will bring our marriage good luck, as it did my grandparents for almost sixty years. We’ll enjoy many happy years together, making a lifetime of memories until we’re old and gray and spending our days entertaining a half dozen grandchildren.” Lyndon slipped the ring on her finger and it fit perfectly.

  “I love it.” Emma met his eyes. “And I love you. Tell your mother I’m proud to wear it.”

  “Good. Because I’ve arranged a Skype get-together with them at noon tomorrow. You can tell her yourself.” Lyndon chuckled. “When I told Mom I planned to propose if you were at the cabin, she insisted on hearing any engagement news in person. Or as close to it as possible with them in Arizona.”

  Rachael opened the front door and called, “Come on in, you two. It’s almost midnight. You’re going to miss the big event.”

  “No, we’re not. We’ve already had the best event ever,” Emma whispered and kissed Lyndon.

  “Wait for kissing until midnight,” Rachael scolded them, closing the door.

  “We’d better get inside and give them the news.” Lyndon clasped her hand in his and they hurried along the stone path, up the cement stairs, and burst inside.

  “…four, three, two, one. Happy New Year!” everyone shouted amid New Year’s Eve noisemakers and the celebratory hubbub and singing of Auld Lang Syne coming from the television.

  “Happy New Year,” Emma whispered, looking into his eyes.

  “Happy New Year, sweetheart,” Lyndon echoed before they celebrated their first kiss of the year as an engaged couple. And it most certainly would be happy, especially being together for the rest of their lives.

  “We have news,” Lyndon called.

  Emma held up her left hand, slowly turning it to attract everyone’s attention.

  “Are you guys engaged?” Shelley squealed.

  “They are!” Rachael exclaimed. “Oh my goodness. Mike, serve that champagne!”

  Total chaos broke out as everyone extended their congratulations and the ladies admired the stunning ring. The men shook Lyndon’s hand and teased him about losing his freedom. He assured them he’d traded bachelorhood for something much more important. Even Jake joined the celebration, leaping in the air and barking as he spun in circles, having no idea why everyone was so happy, but insisting he be included. Emma smiled, knowing Jake would be her dog now, too. Another bonus of loving this special man. Bella howled from the safety of her doggie bed and Shelley swept her pet up in her arms and cooed soothing words to calm the confused and slightly frightened pup. Soon, the teen was rewarded with a face washing and wagging stubby tail.

  “Hey, Emma.” Rachael caught her attention. “Perhaps this time next year, there should be a wedding at the cabin. Or perhaps at the Maskosis Resort.”

  “Works for me,” she replied, smiling.

  Lyndon and Emma toasted the idea and each other with a glass of champagne. But Emma decided holding a June wedding held merit, too. Especially if she couldn’t wait an entire year to marry her handsome Carpenter Man.

  If you enjoyed this book, I would much appreciate readers leaving a review—even one sentence will suffice—on Amazon or any social platform of your choice.

  Thank you so much for your support.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Thank you to the lovely ladies who beta read my manuscript and offered invaluable comments and suggestions to improve A Last Resort. Vicki, Shaa, Cathy and Nina, you gals are the best! And a special thank you to teenager, Avery Scilley, for reading dialogue excerpts involving my fifteen-year-old character, Shelley Lewis, and offering comments on my handling of a teen’s wording and thoughts. I don’t write young adult fiction and I can
not thank you enough for your help with this book!

  A huge thank you to Su Kopil from https://www.earthlycharms.com for the excellent cover which I love. And thank you also to Ted Williams for line editing the book and once again finding my grammatical goof-ups.

  The setting in this book is an integral part of the story and, throughout my lifetime, vacationing in British Columbia has been a favorite pastime for me and my family, and my friends. If you’re considering a vacation to this beautiful Canadian province, check out this website for suggestions and insights into the innumerable possibilities https://www.travel-british-columbia.com and, of course, my favorite vacation spot at https://www.nakusphotsprings.com which served as inspiration for the fictional Town of Maskosis and the fictional Mount Maskosis region.

  Books by Brenda Sinclair

  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007OXHMES

  Sons of a Gun Series

  (historical western romance)

  CANCELED-ORDER BRIDE, A REINVENTED LADY,

  WHERE THERE’S A WILL, INHERIT A DREAM,

  and A LOST LOVE’S LEGACY

  Carsen Family Trilogy

  TANGLED HEARTSTRINGS, TANGLED MEMORIES and

  TANGLED INTENTIONS

  Town of Pineview

  CHRISTMAS IN PINEVIEW

  TROUBLE IN PINEVIEW

  A THURSTON PROMISE, Book 1 and A THURSTON CHRISTMAS, Book 12

  Part of the multi-author Thurston Hotel Series

  SADDLE A DREAM

  Book 3 in the multi-author Women of Stampede Series

  The Spirit Creek Series

  (historical western romance)

  NO MORE, NO TIME, NO CHANCE, NO TIES, NO WAY, NO HOPE