"You were just starting your career—I was full of ambition. Do you really think we could have made it work?"
"Maybe." She shrugged. "People do under even crazier circumstances. But I will always regret not taking the chance." She kept her voice steady, but it wasn't easy. She was feeling so much; this was so important. "If I've learned anything these past few days it's that life doesn't give us any guarantees. We have now, this moment. Everything else is a gift. So here's what I want you to know. Go to Washington, listen to the once in a lifetime offer they are going to make you. And decide if it's still what you want."
"Dani—"
She stopped him, covering his lips with her fingers.
"Don't let me be the reason you turn them down, because this time, I'm not letting you go. I don’t care if you’re stationed in Germany or Japan or, God forbid, a red state. This time you're stuck with me, Alex Fleming. Like it or not."
Oh, he liked it. Alex kissed the tips of her fingers before removing her hand.
"Harper Falls?"
"Is, I understand, a great place to visit—and someday retire."
"So, there's no getting rid of you?"
"Nope, and lucky for you, I travel really, really well."
Luck. It had been on his side the night they'd met in Portugal, and stayed with him all the time in between. It had led them back to each other, to this moment.
"It's late. Let's go to bed."
There hadn't been much alone time the past three days. If they weren't talking to the authorities, they were being fussed over by friends and family. Dani had spent the first night with her parents. Alex had gone to Lila's. The next evening everyone had gathered at Jack and Rose's house where they ended up spending the night, Dani and her friends needing to be close.
But tonight was about them. Alex pulled back the covers and got in, opening his arms to her.
"I just want to hold you, all night."
Dani felt her heart skip a beat. Alex wanted to sleep with her? Silently, she climbed in, settling her head on his shoulder.
Alex arranged the covers around them then pulled Dani close. He waited for the anxiety, the first stirrings of panic, but none came. He felt her relax against him with complete trust. His eyes grew heavy, his breathing evened out and Alex slept—dreamlessly.
He woke her in the early morning hours, turning to the woman in his arms and taking her with a gentle passion. Dani drifted off again while he watched the sun creep through the windows signaling another day. Alex slid from bed, letting her sleep, and left the room to shower and dress. Ready, he grabbed his bag, his mind going back to another morning when he had silently walked out of her life, so sure it was the right thing to do. But this time would be different.
"Dani," he whispered, going down on his knees. Her eyes flickered open, slowly gaining focus.
"You're dressed." She sat up clutching the sheet to her. "You're leaving."
"It's time." He joined her on the bed. "But before I go, I wanted to tell you something. I love you, Dani. I always have and I always will."
"I love you, too."
"That's good. And you're right, tomorrow is a gift. So I wanted to make sure that this time when I left you, even though it will only be for a short time, you know how I feel. My heart is yours, never doubt it."
After a long kiss, Dani watched him go before lying back and closing her eyes, a smile on her face. Sometimes you could fix the past. She was alone, the man she loved gone. But this time, he was coming back. This time she had love.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The first few days of September were warmer than usual, making it hard for kids to accept the end of summer vacation and transition back to books and school rooms.
Dani was out taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to get the last shots for the Harper Falls Centennial book. Next week she would send it off to the publisher. It had been an interesting project and in a way had chronicled a huge change in not only her life but that of her friends. Back in March she was just starting, capturing the town as it transitioned from winter to spring. May had come, and with it Rose had fallen in love and was now planning her wedding. Summer was in full swing when Alex literally roared back into her life bringing same danger and healing both their hearts.
As fall loomed, Dani wished she knew what was in store for Tyler. She hadn't missed out on any drama as her life seemed to be forever linked to the Harper family, both son and mother. Dani wished her friend smooth roads and happiness. Unfortunately, all she could see were more bumps, more hurt. Nothing worth having it seemed could be had without a big mixture of both.
Dani lifted her camera, capturing the flight of a bald eagle. It glided down the Columbia River, framed by the almost painfully blue sky. She loved it here, but she loved Alex more. If she had to leave, she would do so without one single qualm. How many times did people say follow your heart? How many times did they take their own advice and actually do it? Alex took hers wherever he went. He had five years ago, and nothing had changed. She wasn't making the same mistake twice; where he went, where her heart went, she would follow—happily.
They had talked several times since he had left, but the details about his meetings had been vague. Not that she had expected anything else. It was classified, that hadn’t changed. If he chose to rejoin the Army, Alex would never be able to discuss his work in detail, if at all. It was another thing she found herself fine with. She would always be a curious person, but the world was full of interesting things to discover. The military could keep their secrets with her blessing.
She had started her walk around town at her parent's house, and now found herself at the park. The big Labor Day barbecue was on Monday, but at the moment things were relatively quiet. A young woman pushed a toddler on the swing, a baby strapped to her front. The children had to be less than two years apart. Dani admired anyone who could take that on. The baby would soon be crawling, and then watch out, two dynamos constantly going in different directions. As much as she loved her niece and nephew, a few hours with them and she was thrilled to hand them back to their parents. But one? She felt a little tug of want. Someday.
"I think one—someday."
Dani turned and smiled. Ah, there he was, her heart. She walked into Alex's open arms and just held on.
"Miss me?" he whispered into her ear. She squeezed harder. "Yes, this feels like you missed me."
"So much."
They kissed, not like lovers after a long separation, but like two people in love who had forever.
"No bike?" she asked, taking his hand. They strolled, alone in the now deserted park; the mother was bundling her children into her car, about to drive away towards afternoon naps and bedtime stories.
"I left it at your parent's house. It felt good to stretch my legs. It seemed like all I did for the past three days was sit."
"And talk."
"That, too." He bent down and picked up a candy bar wrapper, throwing it in a nearby garbage can.
"And then listened." Geez, was he going to make her pull it out of him?
"They had a lot to say, a lot to offer. But we already knew that."
"Yes," she took a deep breath and waited. And waited. And waited.
"Air, baby," he laughed. "In and out."
"Alex…"
"I said no."
Oh. Dani looked at him, seeing if he looked happy or maybe relieved. She grinned. Happy—absolutely.
"Were you tempted?"
"I thought I would be."
They sat on a park bench, looking out at the river. Alex kept her hand in his, rubbing the back with his thumb. He had gone to Washington with every intention of turning the Army down, no matter how gaudy the offer. And boy, was it. Alex could have practically written his own ticket. But the more they tried to tempt him back, the more he knew the Army was his past, not his future. The bitterness he had felt was gone, as was the guilt and most of the regret. But there was no going back. So he'd packed his bags and come home.
> "I won't ask if you're sure. You wouldn't have walked away if you weren't." She grinned. "Do you know what I want to do to celebrate?"
"Well…" Alex wiggled eyebrows.
"That, definitely. But first? I want to drive your bike."
"No."
"No? That's it?"
"How about hell, no. Is that better?"
"Why?"
"Because unlike a car, when you wreck a bike, you tend to wreck your body. So," he continued before she could protest again. "Until you take proper lessons given by a licensed teacher, you will not be driving my bike."
Not never, just until. She could live with that.
"You didn't ask me why I was at your folk's place."
"I thought you went to ask where you could find me."
Alex shook his head. "I could have looked that information up using the app that Jack installed on my phone."
"Oh, right," Dani muttered. She'd forgotten that little gem of technology. The only reason she had agreed to it was because the thing worked both ways. If need be, she always knew where Alex was.
"Then why were you there?"
"To ask for your hand in marriage."
Alex removed a box from his pocket and got down on one knee.
Dani gasped when she saw the ring. A square-cut diamond set in platinum. Vintage, the style simple and perfect for her.
"I'm guessing, since you're down there, that they said yes."
"They did." Alex nodded, taking the ring from the box. "Though to my surprise, it was your mother who gave me the hardest time."
Dani had never thought she'd be the type to cry. She'd also thought she would laugh her head off if a guy went to her parents first and then got down on bended knee. Who knew she was an old-fashioned girl at heart. Or maybe it just took the right guy
"This belonged to my mother," he said, slipping it on her finger. "And my father's mother before that."
"I love you, Alex." Dani sighed with happiness.
"And I love you, Jordanna."
"You only call me that when we are having sex," she teased.
"No," Alex corrected her, his eyes meeting the sparkling emerald of hers. "I only call you that when we are making love."
TURN THE PAGE FOR A SNEAK PEAK LOOK AT
IF YOU ONLY KNEW
HARPER FALLS BOOK THREE
PROLOGUE
TYLER JONES HAD a secret. Not easy when you lived with two brothers who wouldn't understand the word private if it kicked them in the rear. And then there were her two best friends and the honest pact they had made the year they turned eleven. They had pledged to tell each other everything, and up until now, Tyler had happily complied. But sometimes, something comes along that is so big, so special, you just have to keep it to yourself, at least for a little while.
She hid her bike behind a large group of rocks. It still amazed her that anyone in Harper Falls could at this very moment be looking her way and would have no idea she was there. The small cove was a haven, isolated and all hers. Finding it had been a fluke. One of those happy accidents that, when it happened, could change your life. That was how it had been for Tyler.
Sometimes she needed to get away by herself. Rose and Dani understood. They had witnessed first hand the family drama that seemed to be a daily occurrence at the Jones house. Her father had turned into a bitter, discontented man. Life hadn't turned out the way he'd planned and he had no problem taking it out on his family. If he wasn't angry and sullen, he just wasn't there. He used his job as an excuse to be out of town as often as possible. Her mother—Lord, love her—had no backbone. She was sweet and quiet, and her husband and sons treated her like a doormat. Tyler could only stand up for her so often. As much as she loved the woman, her complete lack of fight could be wearing.
When Tyler would reach her breaking point, she would get on her bike and ride. It had seemed only natural that one day she would ride across the bridge towards Harper House. Her father would have been livid if he'd known, her mother horrified. But Tyler thought of it as having an adventure in a town that too often offered few surprises.
It was on one of those outings that she found the path down to the beach and her place. She didn't go there often, but when things at home got so unbearable not even Rose and Dani could talk her down, she came here.
But today wasn't about getting away. Today she wasn't going to be alone. In fact, for the past few months, her alone place had become something else altogether. Tyler Jones, outcast, rebel, nonconformist, was in love. It was her secret and she was ready to burst. She wanted to shout it to the sky, the trees. She wanted everyone to know. For now, she would be happy just to tell him. She hadn't, not yet. Neither of them had spoken of feelings, though she was certain he had to feel the same. How could he not? The way he looked at her, the softness of his touch. And his kisses. Only someone in love could kiss like that. So today was the day. She couldn't keep it inside a moment longer.
"Tyler."
She spun around, her face lighting up, her every emotion there for him to see. There he was, the man she loved—Drew Harper.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I realized one very important thing after I wrote and published my first book. I may have thought I knew what to expect, but boy, was I wrong. I hope I've learned from my mistakes, though I can guarantee it will never be a perfect process. If you would like to come along for the ride, please visit my website, and Facebook page where you can sign up for my newsletter. I'm also on twitter. Thank you all for your support and kind words.
maryjwilliams.net
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-J-Williams/1561851657385417?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/maryjwilliams05
RECIPES
BOBBI'S CHOCOLATE CAKE
This was a favorite at the Harper Falls Fourth of July Picnic. Dani's mother made dozens of sheet cakes for the celebration and if you didn't buy your ticket early, you were out of luck. But when it's only for her family, Bobbi makes a three layer confection that is just as popular and disappears even faster. Here is that version, though feel free to make the sheet cake reducing the baking time and keeping an eye on it so it doesn't overcook and become dry—no one likes a crumbly cake. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup White Sugar
2/3 Cup Crisco
6 Drops Red Food Coloring
2 Eggs
2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Baking Cocoa
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Cup Boiling Water
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
Directions:
Cream together sugars and Crisco until light and fluffy. Add food coloring, mix. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
Sift together flour, cocoa, and salt. Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk beginning and ending with the dry. Add in vanilla. Add the baking soda to the boiling water, stir until dissolved. On low slowly add the water to the batter, mix until just combined. The batter will be runny.
Pour into three 9 inch round pans that have been lined with parchment paper and generously sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Cool in pans for five minutes and the turn out onto racks to cool.
BOBBI'S CARAMEL FROSTING
Sometimes Bobbi doubles the recipe. It is hard to have too much of this caramelly goodness.
Ingredients:
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Stick Butter
1/4 Cup milk
2 Cups Sifted Powdered Sugar
Directions:
Melt brown sugar and butter over medium heat. Simmer, constantly stirring for two minutes. Carefully stir in milk, bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cool slightly.
Place sifted powdered sugar in the bowl of a mixer and slowly pour in the sugar mixture, the machine should start on low, then increase the speed to medium. Beat the frosting un
til smooth and glossy, 2-3 minutes.
Use immediately, the frosting sets quickly as it cools.
If Tomorrow Never Comes (Harper Falls Book 2) Page 29
