by Jean Oram
Amber laughed, pushing him away. “We’re in public!”
“That can be remedied.”
Amber caught sight of Nicola leaving the park, a new determination in her step. “Do you think she’ll get the man she wants?” she murmured, gesturing toward her friend.
“That’s her adventure, not ours.”
Amber turned in Scott’s arms, draping her arms around his neck. “And what is our next adventure, Officer Malone?” Now that she knew the nickname drove him wild, she was afraid she was going to wear out its effect, teasing him so she could enjoy the results.
Sure enough, he pulled her close against him, lining them up as he kissed her hard, letting the town know that she was his. A crowd cheered behind them and, smiling, Amber broke the kiss, giving the spectators a little wave.
“Did you say you know a place we can go?” she whispered.
Her mother bustled over with John, out of breath with happiness. “Did you hear the news? Jen and Rob are expecting.”
“I know. Exciting, isn’t it?”
John, who had his arm around Gloria’s shoulders, pivoted her so his lips touched her forehead, his eyes closing in satisfaction and happiness.
He had been extra careful around Amber since her outburst at what was supposed to be their first family dinner, and she still felt bad.
“I’m glad you two are together,” she told him. “That things are okay between you now.”
“I’ll take good care of her, Amber. You, too, if you need it.”
“I know.”
John watched her, then, seeming to find the answer he was looking for, gave her a short nod.
“Oh! I need to take a picture for the paper,” Liz said, coming over, camera raised. “Family Reunited. I can see the caption already.”
The group of them groaned.
“Where are Marisa and Justin? We need them in here, too.” Liz began gesturing with her hand as though she could sweep the missing family members into the picture. She paused, looking at Scott as though trying to decide whether he should be in the photo are not.
“Scott is part of my family. He’s my forever friend,” Amber said, giving him a playful nudge in the ribs. He grabbed her and somehow rolled her body up his arm, slinging her over his shoulder as he carried her off.
She giggled and pretended to try and get away, secretly delighted by his behavior. How could a woman like her ever be so lucky as to have a man like him in her life? It really couldn’t get much better.
Scott set her down on the walking path at the edge of the park. Guests were drifting away to join the wedding picnic in the meadow with the bride and groom. Everyone in town was dressed up, happy and content.
“Think we’ll win couple of the year next time?” Amber asked, referring to Valentine’s Day, when they’d won the title Greatest Couple in Blueberry Springs, but then had it taken away for not being a real couple. Next year, qualifying shouldn’t be a problem.
“The only thing standing in our way was a lack of this.” He leaned down, kissing her in a manner that had her arms wrapping around his neck and her body calling out to his, making short work of her concentration on everything around them.
“Glad we were able to remedy that,” she said dreamily, when they came up for air.
“Me, too. I’ve waited too long.”
“And how long have you waited, exactly?”
“Ever since you stayed in at recess and made me that valentine.”
“Really?”
“It’s not easy being a new kid in a town like this, especially arriving in the middle of the Valentine’s Day party.” He rubbed her chin with his thumb as though wiping a speck away. “I saw the real you in that moment. Someone caring and giving. Willing to put what you wanted aside to ensure someone else was okay. You’re still that woman today and I still love you for it.”
They kissed again, Amber’s foot lifting off the ground. She forced it down again, not wanting to be a show-off, even though Scott’s kisses were that amazing.
“Little kids don’t love like that,” she whispered.
“Well, I did. And I didn’t say the type of love I had didn’t change. It grew stronger, and by the time we’re eighty it’s going to be the strongest thing on planet earth.
“Amber Lynn Thompson.” Scott got down on one knee, presenting a ring box from his pocket. “Will you marry me?”
Amber fell to her knees in front of him, her hands wrapped around his, keeping the box closed. They stared at each other for a long moment.
“Scott?”
“Yes?”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“Me? Forever?” she whispered.
“A man never kids about forever.”
“Even though I screw things up and say things without thinking?”
“Yes.”
“And even though I have big hips and might embarrass you?”
“I happen to like your hips and find it doubtful that you could ever embarrass me.”
Amber brushed away her tears, overwhelmed by Scott. His love. His trust. His ability to see the best in her and to believe that it would always be that way, and that the two of them would only get better.
But she knew. With Scott she could be better. She was better. She was the Amber she was meant to be, and there was nothing better than his love. Standing there in the cool green grass, with clouds drifting over the mountain town she’d always called home, she knew at long last what it was that made this place home. And she knew that together they would always be better than the sum of their parts.
“Yes, Scott Malone. I would be more than honored to be, forever, your loving wife.”
“That was even better than the yes I was hoping for.”
“That’s because our marriage will be extraordinary. Just like you and your love.”
He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. “I love you, Amber.”
“I love you, too, Officer Malone.”
He swept her into his arms. “I think it’s time I took you home, Mrs. Soon-To-Be-Malone.”
“That sounds better than anything I could ever imagine.”
“Even more than chocolate drops?” he teased.
“Definitely.” She pulled his lips to hers. “There could never be anything better in the world than a best-friend fiancé.”
“Or his kisses,” Scott repeated, setting her down so he could kiss her thoroughly.
“Or that,” she agreed when they finally broke free. They continued, hand in hand, to his house, pausing on the front step so he could unlock the door, his left hand staying on her waist as though afraid she’d disappear if they lost contact.
As he opened the door, Amber whispered, “Kiss me again, Scott. But this time, don’t stop.”
The End
The Blueberry Springs journey continues! Have you read the entire series? Jump in anywhere and read, dream, laugh, and love along with the small town of Blueberry Springs.
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Have you read all of Blueberry Springs? Catch up with your friends and their adventures…
Book 1: Whiskey and Gumdrops (Mandy & Frankie)
Book 2: Rum and Raindrops (Jen & Rob)
Book 3: Eggnog and Candy Canes (Katie & Nash)
Book 4: Sweet Treats (3 short stories—Mandy, Amber, & Nicola)
Book 5: Vodka and Chocolate Drops (Amber & Scott)
Companion Novel: Champagne and Lemon Drops (Beth & Oz)
Audio
Champagne and Le
mon Drops
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Who is Hailey Summer?
From Vodka and Chocolate Drops:
“Hailey Summer, my friend’s daughter―you remember her? She came out here a few summers ago.”
Elsie and Amber nodded.
“Well, she’s dating—”
“Finian Alexander, the movie star,” Elsie said, fidgeting with her cutlery, obviously feeling outdone.
Did you know that Hailey Summer and Finian Alexander are actually from one of Jean Oram’s other series? They are! They are from Love and Rumors, book 1 in the Summer Sisters Tame the Billionaires series. And guess what? This highly rated ebook is free!
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One picture. One tabloid. Two lives changed forever.
* * *
The Summer Sisters Tame the Billionaires
One cottage. Four sisters. And four billionaires who will sweep them off their feet.
About the Author
Jean Oram is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. Inspiration for her small town series came from her own upbringing on the Canadian prairies. Although, so far, none of her characters have grown up in an old schoolhouse or worked on a bee farm. Jean still lives on the prairie with her husband, two kids, and big shaggy dog where she can be found out playing in the snow or hiking.
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Jean
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I hope you enjoyed your Blueberry Springs adventure! Thanks for reading.
Jean
