Love Inspired Historical February 2016 Box Set
Page 24
Caressing her cheek, he captured her lips in a kiss full of promise. His heat enveloped her, making her oblivious to the falling snow just beyond the overhang. This was her beloved. The man who’d crashed into her life when love was the last thing on her horizon. The one who’d restored her faith in love and trust and commitment.
“So what do you say, Jess?” he breathed, his arms going even tighter about her. “Marry me?”
“Jessica Parker… I’m not sure if I like the sound of that.” She grinned, teasing.
His smile turned impish. “Let me set about convincing you, then.”
Grant pulled her close, and she lost herself in his kiss.
EPILOGUE
Valentine’s Day, 1886
Grant rapped on Jessica’s front door and hid his hands behind his back. The curtain at the nearest window wavered and suddenly she was there before him, hurriedly shutting the door behind her.
Bewilderment formed a pleat between her brows. “Grant, what are you doing here?” she admonished. “You’re not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony. Ma would have a conniption if she knew.”
“I know. But I had to see you.”
Trepidation flared in her lovely green eyes. “Is something wrong? Are you having second thoughts?”
“No, of course not!” Going closer, he bent at the waist to kiss her lightly on the mouth. “I had to see you to give you these. I missed you yesterday.” They’d been deliberately kept apart by her romantic-minded sisters. Apparently there had been last-minute wedding preparations to tend to. Presenting her with his gifts, he said, “Happy Valentine’s, my love.”
Her eyes lit up when she saw the box of chocolate creams and beribboned card. “How thoughtful, Grant. Did you make this?”
As usual, her smile made his heart sing. He enjoyed seeing her happy. “Nicole helped me gather the supplies.”
“You’re very creative. My first Valentine. I’ll put it in a frame to keep for always.”
“As long as I’m able, I’ll present you with one every Valentine’s Day for the next seventy-plus years.”
Laughing softly, she encircled his neck and hugged him, landing a quick kiss above his collar that made his skin tingle and his pulse speed up.
While they’d wanted to get married in December, they’d decided to postpone the wedding until they could figure out living arrangements and make proper plans for the future. His future mother-in-law came up with the perfect solution. He and Jessica would live in the cabin—plenty of rooms for any children that came along, she’d pointed out—while she would reside in a smaller cabin on the property. The community had come together during a mild week in January to construct her new home. She’d slowly transferred her belongings and would spend her first night there tonight.
He’d enjoyed courting his bride-to-be, but he was eager for their relationship to be official. Permanent. He wanted to proclaim his love for her in front of the entire town.
“Just think,” he said, “this time tomorrow, you’ll be mine.”
A pretty blush climbed into her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled like jewels.
“One last kiss as an engaged couple,” he cajoled.
Her sisters would soon be arriving to help her prepare. And any minute now, her mother would notice she wasn’t in the house. They’d all be outraged at his flaunting of tradition.
“Just one,” she agreed and, depositing her gifts on the rocking chair, turned to envelop him in her embrace.
Minutes later, he forced himself to retreat to the yard. “See you at the altar, Jessica O’Malley.”
“You’d better not be late, Grant Parker.”
With a wink and a wave, she disappeared into the house. And he went away whistling.
*
“You’re not supposed to be crying, Jane,” Jessica gently chided. “The ceremony is over.”
“I know.” She sniffed. “It’s just that I’ve never seen you look so at peace. So content.”
Jessica smiled and hugged her twin. “God has truly blessed me.”
After a poignant, tear-inducing ceremony at the church, their wedding guests had assembled in Lucian and Megan’s spacious Victorian home for refreshments and the opening of gifts. The garden-themed parlor was Jessica’s favorite room in the house, the floral prints and bright furnishings keeping at bay the cold February weather beyond the large windows.
“I’m glad you agreed to wear your hair up,” Jane said. “For a moment there, I thought Grant was going to faint when he first saw you.”
Nothing could describe the way his awe-filled expression had made her feel. Nicole had fashioned her wedding dress out of the finest fabrics. Constructed of creamy satin, the bodice hugged her upper body. The hems of her three-quarter-inch sleeves were ringed in silk tulle to mimic her full skirts of the same material. The tulle gave the dress a floaty, romantic appearance. Juliana and Jane had arranged her long locks into a formal chignon and stuck sparkly pins in her hair. Megan had lent her a pearl necklace and pearl-and-emerald ear bobs. Clara had taken one look at her and pronounced her a queen. Indeed, Jessica felt as if she were royalty. She’d married a prince of a man.
Juliana joined them. “The cake is gorgeous,” she told Jane. “Tasty, too. You outdid yourself.”
“It was my gift to Jessica and Grant. I knew she’d be preoccupied with other details. Anyway, a bride shouldn’t have to bake her own cake.”
Megan descended on them and, linking arms with Juliana, bounced on her tiptoes. “Have I told you lately I’m over-the-moon excited that you’re living here now?”
Juliana laughed. “Only about a hundred times. I still can hardly believe it myself.”
“Believe what?” Nicole sipped her ginger water and grimaced.
Jessica noticed how her lavender dress, normally a perfect foil for her inky-black hair and violet eyes, highlighted her wan complexion. “Nicole, darling, are you expecting again?”
All the sisters gaped, their gazes shooting to her middle. Nicole managed to look simultaneously sheepish and elated. “Quinn and I hadn’t planned on sharing the news this early.”
Their squeals drawing attention, they took turns hugging and congratulating her. For someone who’d disdained the idea of motherhood, Nicole had surprised them all with her strong maternal instincts. It was nice to see her nurturing side. Having Quinn for a husband had changed her life for the better.
Taking in the room’s occupants, comprising mostly family members, Jessica silently thanked God for providing loving, faithful spouses for each of her cousins and sisters. And now, at long last, for herself.
Josh and Kate, hands clasped, approached to congratulate Jessica. Kate pointed to the long sofa. “Looks like your new husband has been bitten by the baby bug.”
Grant sat at one end, his tailored navy suit the perfect complement to his golden-blond hair, tanned skin and intense blue eyes, his attention on the twin babies tucked in his arms. Swaddled in matching blue blankets, Nathan and Sophie’s one-month-old sons were oblivious to their surroundings.
Jessica’s heart melted. “He looks perfectly natural, doesn’t he?”
In the months since his return, Grant had recalled more segments of his past, not all of it pleasant. His memories of Susannah, their courtship and brief, tumultuous marriage had filled him with sorrow and regret. Jessica had comforted him as he relived the loss of a child he’d never known.
Unaware of her thoughts, Josh teased, “Who knows, cuz? You may be next.”
“That’s my prayer,” she replied truthfully.
“Don’t rush her.” A smiling Kate kissed Josh’s cheek. “Let them enjoy each other for a little while first.”
On the cushions beside Grant, Nathan cuddled Sophie close. Whatever he was whispering in her ear brought a charming blush to her cheeks. Caring for twins was a demanding job for any young mother, but Nathan had pitched in and made sure Sophie was getting the proper rest. Her brother, Will, was enchanted by his new nephews and volunteered to rock
them to sleep and even change their diapers.
Close by, Tom propped his baby girl against his shoulder, patting her lovingly as he chatted with Caleb and Rebecca. Quinn and Lucian, whose similar upbringings and business interests had led to a firm friendship, spoke together near the arched entryway. Jessica noticed that both men periodically searched the room to locate their wives, relaxing into the conversation again once they’d done so.
Jessica’s gaze returned to Grant, who was now focused on her, his expression saying a multitude of things…pride in her as his wife, relief that the wedding was behind them, impatience to be alone with her.
He said something to Nathan, who passed one of his sons to Sophie and took the other for himself. Grant rose and crossed to her. To her sisters, he said, “If you’ll excuse me, ladies, I’d like a word with my wife.”
They exchanged significant glances and, with knowing smiles, waved them away. His hand pressed low against her spine, he guided her to the nearest exit. Aaron met them in the hallway.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he said, “Whoa. Where are you off to? I haven’t had a chance to chat with my new sister-in-law.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to do that before you return to Virginia next week,” Grant said smoothly. “But right now, she’s all mine, brother.”
With an exaggerated smile, Aaron bowed and waved them on. “Fine. I guess you’re allowed to be selfish just this once.”
Shaking his head, Grant smiled and led her to the deserted library. He closed the door. Sighing, he turned to her. “Remind me why we decided to invite so many people.”
“Because we wanted to celebrate our union with our dearest loved ones.”
“Right. And why are we required to stay?”
“Because…” She lost her train of thought as he planted his hands on either side of her waist and urged her closer. He kissed her jaw. “Um, I can’t recall right this minute.”
“Mrs. Grant Parker,” he murmured, taking her left hand and examining the way his ring sparkled on her finger. “I’ll never tire of saying that.”
Jessica curled her arms around his neck. “I’ll never tire of hearing it.”
“You know what’s been going through my mind the last couple of days? The verse from Genesis. ‘But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.’ Like Joseph’s brothers, Thacker’s gang meant me harm. God turned the situation around and allowed good to come from it.”
“He brought you here, to me, even though I didn’t deserve such a gift.”
“None of us deserves His goodness. He chooses to bless us because of His love and grace.”
“How did you get to be so wise?”
“Marrying you is the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Grant. Out of all the gifts you’ve given me today—the chocolates, the card and the ring—my most prized gift is you.”
*
Dear Reader,
It’s hard to believe I began this journey five years ago. This book marks the final one in the O’Malley saga, and it’s sad to say goodbye to the characters I’ve lived with for so long. Thank you for sharing in this journey. I hope these stories have made you laugh, cry, shake your fist at the characters, and kept you up reading until late in the night.
During research for this book, I read about the chestnut trees that used to inhabit the Smoky Mountains. Settlers gathered and preserved these nutritious nuts. What they didn’t keep for themselves, they sold to local markets and shipped to larger cities, where they were in high demand. Wildlife such as turkeys, deer and bears depended on the chestnuts. But in the early 1900s, a fungus entered the country, wiping out millions of acres of chestnut trees. The loss was a blow to humans and animals alike. I enjoyed adding this aspect of mountain living to Grant and Jessica’s story.
My hope is to write a few more books in this Smoky Mountains setting revolving around some of the townspeople. I’m sure the O’Malleys would make appearances in those books from time to time. You can find further information on my website, karenkirst.com, and on my Facebook page. You can also follow me on Twitter, @KarenKirst.
Until next time,
Karen Kirst
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.
You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.
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ISBN-13: 9781488007729
Reclaiming His Past
Copyright © 2016 by Karen Vyskocil
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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.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.
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Second Chance Reunion
It’s been five years since Adelaide Harper broke Chris Johansen’s heart—and their long-distance engagement. But when she steps off a train in Peppin, Texas, and strolls back into Chris’s life, he can’t help but panic. Because to avoid his parents’ plan to arrange a marriage for him, he’s let his family believe he and Adelaide are still engaged.
Adelaide is facing her own troubles with a matchmaking mama and a parade of aggravating suitors. So pretending to let Chris court her could help them both. And after five years, there’s no need to worry that the time together will reignite their long-buried love…is there?
Bachelor List Matches: A handpicked bride for every bachelor in small-town Texas
Chris couldn’t discern any pain or fear on his father’s face to show that his heart was bothering him again.
He was flushed, but it only seemed to be with excitement, so Chris reluctantly allowed his attention to be drawn elsewhere.
It landed on the woman standing just in front of his father. She was beautiful. She was familiar. She was achingly familiar.
He caught her chin, tilted her face upward and got lost in the ocean of her blue eyes. “Adelaide.”
A fleeting smile touched her lips. “Hello, Chris.”
“What are you doing here?”
Olan slapped Chris’s back just hard enough to knock some sense into him. “Son, is that any way to greet your fiancée?”
Time slowed. Chris knew exactly what was going to happen. The truth was going to come out. He could almost see the disbelief, the shock, the disappointment on his father’s face. His imagination went even further until he saw Olan’s face whiten, his hand covering his heart as he sank to his knees in pain. Chris couldn’t let that happen. Instinctively, he caught Adelaide by the arms, then stifled whatever she’d been planning to say with a quick, ardent kiss.
; Noelle Marchand is a native Houstonian living out her childhood dream of being a writer. She graduated summa cum laude from Houston Baptist University in 2012, earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and speech communications. She loves exploring new books and new cities. When she’s not scribbling out her latest manuscript, you may find her pursuing one of her other passions—music, dance, history and classic movies.
Books by Noelle Marchand
Love Inspired Historical
Bachelor List Matches
The Texan’s Inherited Family
The Texan’s Courtship Lessons
The Texan’s Engagement Agreement
Unlawfully Wedded Bride
The Runaway Bride
A Texas-Made Match
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.
THE TEXAN’S ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Noelle Marchand
Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
—Hebrews 12:1–2
Dedicated to you.
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen