Someone to Love

by Hampton, Lena

  Diane exhaled and asked, “So those are tears of joy?”

  Noli nodded. “What I’m wearing is settled. What about my bridesmaids? What are you wearing? And where is Amara? Did Cooper know that I’d want her as a bridesmaid? What about Kayla? I would have asked her too?”

  “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Kayla haven’t you?” Daphne asked in response to the rapid fire questions. “Cooper had help from almost everyone. Kayla was either going to be your bridesmaid if you wanted her to be, or what she called a ‘groomsmaid’ if not.”

  “Amara is one of your bridesmaids, but she got caught up at work and is running about a half hour late. We’re wearing this,” Diane said pulling a dress out of a second garment bag. She rubbed her swollen belly. “It was the only cute thing I could fit all this into.”

  The dress was Grecian style with an empire waist. It was a pale lavender shade at the bodice that ombred into darker shades, ending with purple at the bottom. The full and flowing skirt was a style Noli was quite fond of. The color scheme was perfect too. She probably would have chosen the dress if she’d been given the opportunity.

  “This all explains why Cooper was all of a sudden curious about my favorite color, and my favorite flower, and my favorite everything.”

  “I am sure you are curious about all the wedding plans, but you need to get ready or there will not be any photographs for Evie to look at in the future. There is a schedule and we should try to maintain it, Catherine said.

  “Yes ma’am,” Noli said once again suppressing the urge to stand at full attention and salute.

  An hour later she was alone in her room standing in front of the mirror looking like a bride. There was no desire to run because she wasn’t scared. She wasn’t even that nervous. There were butterflies, but that was out of excitement. She was going to have a family again. She still missed her parents, but she wasn’t sad anymore because for the first time in the past couple of years she didn’t feel alone.

  “You look beautiful, Magnolia.”

  Noli looked past her reflection in the mirror to see Catherine.

  “Thank you.” She turned to face her aunt. “And thank you for being supportive through all this.”

  “You’re welcome. We are family and that is what family does for one another.”

  “I’ve been expecting a lecture from you about being more responsible and the plight of the unwed mother.”

  “No lecture. We all have our less than stellar moments. Believe me, I know.”

  “Still, I thought you and my uncle would be disappointed in me, like I think my parents would have been.”

  “I doubt they would have been disappointed. The thing Robert and I were disappointed about was that you didn’t tell us. You did not need to endure a pregnancy alone. Wed or unwed, motherhood is hard. What you needed was love, not a lecture.”

  “Well, thank you. I have felt very loved.” She also felt very guilty for all the negative things she’d ever said or thought about her aunt. Noli even thought she’d seen her aunt’s eyes glisten with tears.

  “It is time to make you Mrs. Magnolia Smith.”

  “Freeman-Smith. I want to keep my parents’ last name. It makes me feel close to them. Like a little piece of them is always with me.”

  ***

  “At this time we will hear from the bride and groom who have prepared their own vows.”

  “We have?” Noli asked Cooper.

  “We have.” He handed her a piece of paper.

  It was obvious from his smile that she should be concerned. She began to read out loud without pre reading it silently. “Cooper, you are the love of my life. From the moment I saw your ruggedly handsome face, I was mesmerized, I couldn’t take my eyes off you or keep my hands—” she stopped. She began reading silently then just started laughing. “I would never say most of this,” she whispered.

  “You’re just too scared to say what you’re thinking.” He leaned forward and whispered with a smile.

  “I’m not reading this.”

  “You can either read this or come from the heart.”

  “Are we ready to go on?” The pastor interjected.

  “We are,” Noli said. She took a deep breath and started to speak what was in her heart. “When we first met you scared me. You made me feel safe. You made me feel hope. You made me feel a little less alone. That scared me because I was desperately trying not to feel. You healed my heart by filling it with love and made me whole again. Despite being a giant, you are the love of my life and I’m so happy that I’m going to be your wife in a matter of minutes.”

  Cooper looked at the folded paper in his hands and tucked it into his pocket. “Magnolia, I never thought I’d fall in love. I thought I’d protected myself from that fate. Then you came into my life. I’m not going to say I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, but I did think you were beautiful, tiny like a fairy, but beautiful. It wasn’t long after that that I did fall in love. You say I healed you, but it was your smile and your love that healed me. I’d bet I’m happier that you’re my wife than you.”

  Noli raised an eyebrow. “You’d lose that bet too.”

  When Cooper put the ring on Noli’s finger, his hand had a slight shake. After the pastor pronounced them husband and wife, Diane handed Evan, wearing the tiniest tux ever made, to Noli. Jack handed Evie, wearing a frilly lavender dress and a huge flower headband, to Cooper. With all the attendants cheering, the four walked down the aisle as a very happy family.

  Epilogue

  Noli woke at the feel of Coopers lips on hers. She gave him a sleepy smile then put her fingers to her lips to keep him quiet. The twins were teething and getting them to sleep had been a feat. She was exhausted and didn’t want them to wake. Cooper pulled her out of the glider and led her out the nursery. She yawned and rubbed a hand over her face to try and wipe away the last remaining sleepiness.

  “You’ve been really tired lately, maybe you should hire an assistant. You’ve had a lot of bookings and events. You could use the help. I don’t want you to wear yourself out with work,” Cooper said once they were in the hallway.

  “I’m not worn out. Kayla’s help has actually helped me manage everything.”

  “Thank you for keeping her occupied out of the bar. I couldn’t take much more of her looking longingly at Trevor all day and him being oblivious to it.”

  “She’s always going on and on about how hot and cold he runs. I suggested that she stop dropping hints because he’s not picking them up. Being straight forward is best. I don’t want her to repeat the mistake we made by not communicating with each other.”

  “You’re a good sister in law.”

  “Thank you,” Noli said as she yawned.

  “If it’s not work that’s making you tired, maybe you should go to the doctor.”

  “I thought you were closing tonight. Why are you home so early?” she asked avoiding the subject.

  “I came home to celebrate.” Cooper pushed open their bedroom door to reveal lit candles and a bottle of champagne with two flutes on the nightstand next to strawberries and whipped cream.

  “What’s all this? What are we celebrating?” Noli asked.

  “Patience Magnolia.” Cooper led her to the bed and took his slow sweet time popping the champagne open before pouring it into the glasses. “We’re celebrating expansions.”

  “What’s expanding?”

  “A couple of things. Our business is expanding. I got a call about a distribution deal for the entire line of brews, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. We’ll be in a chain all throughout the Midwest.”

  Noli squealed. “I’m so proud of you Cooper.”

  “Be proud of us. We’re partners. We did this together.”

  “This is all you. I’m less of a partner and more of an investor. It’s been your hard work over the last few months since I funded you that has made this happen.”

  “No, this deal is because of you. Some higher up decision maker for the chain attend
ed an event you organized. You turning that space into a banquet hall is helping get my brewery noticed, especially by people that matter.”

  “But you developed a great product long before I came along. That’s what got the deal.”

  “Fine, I guess we’re both to blame for this success. Cheers.” Cooper raised his glass.

  “What’s the other expansion we’re celebrating?”

  “Our family,” he answered.

  “How did you know already?” Noli asked. Her face displayed the disappointment that he’d figured it out before she could surprise him.

  “I know because my mom’s boyfriend asked me for her hand. He was even nervous like my answer mattered.”

  Noli’s smile returned. “He was probably nervous because you interrogated the poor man like he’d sold secrets to the Russians when you first met him. Plus you’re a giant. He probably thought you’d crush him if you didn’t approve of him wanting to marry Daphne.”

  “I did tell him that if he ever stopped making her happy he’d have to answer to me. I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that. I can’t remember my mom ever being this happy.” He raised his glass again. “Cheers to our expanding business and family.”

  Noli touched her glass to his, then sat it back on the nightstand without drinking any.

  “Why aren’t you drinking your champagne? You don’t want to celebrate?”

  Noli took Cooper’s hand and placed it on her stomach. “I don’t think I should drink that because our family is expanding.”

  “You mean?”

  “I’m 99.9% certain we’re pregnant.”

  He leaped off the bed and grabbed her up in a bear hug. She laughed as he spun around a few times. He stopped suddenly mid turn. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.” He had a serious look on his face as he gently sat her on the bed. “Are you okay? I really shouldn’t have done that.”

  Noli bit back a smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “You sure? I don’t want to do anything to hurt you or the baby.”

  “Cooper, are you going to be like this the entire pregnancy?”

  He stretched out next to her on the bed. “Yes, I’m going to make sure you’re safe the entire pregnancy. I’m going to be at every doctor’s appointment. I’ll even stop drinking with you. I promise to make as many late night runs to satisfy your late night cravings.”

  “I’m having a craving right now. I really want my husband to make love to me right now.”

  “I will definitely satisfy that craving.”

  Keep reading after my notes and acknowledgments to read an excerpt of upcoming dewyMoss release Dangerous Beauty, Part One: Destiny and a sneak peek of The Nearness of You (Ryan and Amara’s story). In fact, they’re so good you may want to skip the acknowledgements and get straight to the excerpts. After all, you probably don’t know those people I’m thanking anyway.

  A Note From Lena

  I am a lifelong Hoosier (please don’t ask me that word’s orgin because I don’t know). I currently live in the Circle City (the nickname for Indianapolis because there’s a big circle in the center of the city), or as everyone else in the world calls it Indianapolis. I have a a daughter and a son that make me laugh (and cry a little) everyday. Storytelling has always been such a part of my life that it’s hard for me to imagine that everyone didn’t tell themselves stories at bedtime instead of reading them. Someone to Love is my second novel.

  Thank you so much for reading my book! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed telling it. If you did enjoy it, please leave a review. Even a short review is a great way to support me and help other’s enjoy Noli and Cooper’s story. Help a friend discover my work by lending this book.

  You can find me online at www.bylenahampton.com, or on Facebook (facebook.com/bylenahampton) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/lenahampton). To get updates on future releases, receive excerpts, and win prizes join my mailing list. Write to lenahampton@outlook.com with “subscribe” in the subject heading. I promise I won’t spam you or share your address.

  Love,

  Lena

  Jack & Diane and Someone to Love is the first books in the Hoosier Hearts series.

  Acknowlegements

  It’s usually hard for me to start these things, not because I don’t know who to thank, but because there are so many people to thank that I just don’t know how to begin. I’m afraid that if I start off with “First I want to thank God…” I’ll sound like a Grammy winner that has been on TMZ all year and who’s lyrics are more profane than me while driving (road rage much?). Despite that, I have to thank God for all the blessings he’s given me. When I didn’t know how I would find time to write, He made five hours sleep seem like twelve. When I doubted my writing skills, He would prompt someone to email me to thank me for “sharing my God given talents”. I am so thankful that He has not given me what I deserve, because what I deserve isn’t much. Instead He has shown me grace and blessed me.

  I owe a huge gratitude to my children who endured many dinners of grilled cheese or PB&J so I could write. I couldn’t do this writing thing without their support and understanding. They even give me story suggestions. I likely won’t use them, but if I ever write about cars going really fast or ninja unicorn assassins, know that I’ve used their ideas. My other family members have been valuable too. From my mother yelling through her office when Jack and Diane was published, to my sister checking my reviews daily, to my cousins that have supported each in their own way. Beyond my family, I have the greatest group of friends a woman could ask for. I would say them by name, but I’m sure I would forget one and feel horrible. My friends bought copies of my first book the day it came out and recommended it to their friends and family. They have even bragged about me to total strangers.

  To everyone that read Jack & Diane, thank you. To those of you who took the time to send me an e-mail or message, thank you. I really can’t express how important that was to me. For all the readers that asked when Someone to Love would be released, thanks. Knowing that there was even one person that wanted to read something else that I wrote encouraged me. To the members of the various groups that have welcomed me, thank you.

  A special thanks to Theresa and Kim for putting a final polish on Someone to Love.

  Sneak Peek: Dangerous Beauty, Part One - Destiny

  Anya sat at the kitchen table watching as her beautiful little boy ate his favorite cereal in his spaceship pajamas. He was five years old now, and Anya couldn’t believe how fast he was growing. The sun was bursting through the windows, gleaming off of his shoulder length golden blonde hair. It had gotten so much longer over the past few weeks. She made a mental note to remember to cut his hair later.

  Angelo walked into the kitchen. She looked over at him surprised he was even there and not in another country doing God knows what, or who. She didn’t look at him long before she turned her attention back to the little angel in front of her. When she heard Angelo clear his throat to get her attention, she turned her gaze toward him and rolled her eyes.

  Nathan hadn’t seen his father enter the kitchen, but when he followed her eyes he jumped out of his chair. “Daddy!” he screamed. Nathan ran to his father and jumped in his arms, showering him with milk coated kisses.

  Angelo picked up a towel, wiped his face and laughed. “Ciao mio bel figlio, did you miss your Papa?” Angelo cooed.

  Nathan giggled and hugged his father tight. “Yes,” he said nodding his head. Nathan smiled wide and pointed to his missing tooth, “Look! I lost another tooth. Mama says the Tooth Mouse will come and get it tonight” he chirped still bouncing in his father’s arms.

  Angelo chuckled and kissed Nathan’s chubby cheek, “That’s good son, but right now Papa needs you to go upstairs and get dressed. He has some company coming to the house in a little while.” He lowered Nathan to the floor.

  Nathan nodded his little head up and down. “Okay, Daddy.” He ran from the kitchen up the stairs, his little feet making slapping noises agains
t the floor.

  Anya looked over at Angelo and frowned. “Who is this that is coming? You promised me you wouldn’t do business at house.” she said.

  Angelo looked up from the coffee he was pouring to where Anya was standing. He smirked, “Uhh… could you repeat that? I didn’t quite understand it, your accent got in the way,” he said referring to Anya’s thick Russian accent.

  Anya knew he was just being an idiot, he understood what she was saying. “Stop messing around Angelo. I have right to know who is coming to my house,” she said placing her hands on her hips. She hated when he made fun of her Russian accent, she never made fun of his Italian one.

  “I can’t fight with you about this right now. Look the man coming over is an old friend I haven’t seen in three and a half years. He has a little girl, but; I don’t know how old she is. I just figured you could keep an eye on her, while her father and I do business.”

  Anya frowned and raised an eyebrow. “I’m not babysitter for every thug, drug dealer, and killer you do business with Angelo.”

  “Enough, Anya! You’ll do it. What I have to do today is more important than your fucking attitude problem!” Angelo stormed out of the kitchen leaving Anya there seething.

  She couldn’t stand him. And to think, she actually loved the bastard once, and she thought he loved her too. But that was a huge load of crap and now she knew it. The only thing that made her time with the selfish prick meaningful was her sweet baby boy. Nathan was the only reason why Anya put up with Angelo Salerno.