by SJ McCoy
Antonio swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. “I promise. Always.”
He lifted Mary Ellen’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “Are you ready to do this?”
She nodded. “I’m ready.”
“In that case,” said the officiant, “let’s begin. Friends, family, we are gathered here today …”
~ ~ ~
Mary Ellen struggled to focus on the words the officiant was saying. All she could do was stare into Antonio’s eyes. He smiled as he held her gaze, and they each spoke their vows. The whole thing was over so quickly. Antonio slid the ring onto her finger, she slid one onto his and then …
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now …”
Antonio hadn’t waited for permission. He’d already slid his arms around her waist and his lips came down on hers. His kiss made her forget where they were, forget that all their friends and family were watching. All she knew was the feel of his arms around her, the feel of their lips crushed against each other, and the overflowing of all the love in her heart for this beautiful man who was now her husband.
When they came up for air, they were met with a cheer from their friends and family. She grinned at them all as she walked back down the little aisle on Antonio’s arm. The way they’d rehearsed it was that they would go back into the house and meet the officiant in Antonio’s office where they’d sign all the paperwork that made their marriage legal. However, Antonio was deviating from the plan. Instead of taking her back into the house, he was making his way across the terrace toward the side yard. She gave him a puzzled look. “Did you forget about the paperwork?”
He grinned. “No. I just want to show you something first. Trust me?”
She nodded happily. “I do.”
When they rounded the corner of the house her eyes filled with tears. This area was a formal garden, with flower beds and grassed areas around a central square. In the middle of the square stood a freshly planted magnolia. She covered her mouth as the tears rolled down her face.
He cupped her cheek, looking worried. “You don’t like it?”
“I love it. It’s so sweet of you.”
He hugged her into his side. “I’m many things, Mary Ellen, but I’m not sweet. I pay attention, like I told you. You said your grandma had a magnolia tree. I wanted you to have one here, so that you can have some sense of your history in our home. I want you to feel like you belong here.”
She planted a kiss on his lips. “Thank you. Remember when you told me I should try to feel like I belong? Well, now I don’t need to try. I feel it. I do belong, right here, with you, and the tree will always remind me of that.”
And it was true. They might seem like an unlikely match in some respects, but they complemented each other, and she knew she’d found the place she belonged in life—and the man she belonged with;
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A Note from SJ
I hope you enjoyed spending time with the Hamiltons. Please let your friends know about the books if you feel they would enjoy them as well. It would be wonderful if you would leave me a review; I'd very much appreciate it.
There are so many more stories still to tell. The next book I’m working on is TJ’s story which will be out soon in the Davenports’ series. After that, we’ll go back to Napa for Marcos and Molly’s story. After that, I’ll get to the third Davenport brother, Reid, just as fast as my little fingers can type. Plus, there are more stories set at the Lake; the pilots want a Summer Lake Flyers series. And there are a bunch of cowboys who are all getting impatient for me to return to Montana. My plan, at the moment, is to finish with the Davenports and Hamiltons and then get to the next three series—Summer Lake Flyers, the new cowboys, who haven’t told me what their series is called yet, and the country singers in Nashville, beginning with Autumn and Matt. The older couples are growing impatient, and I’ve still yet to figure out whether they’ll end up as a series or as novellas when they get too impatient to wait any longer. The short version is that there are still a lot of stories to come.
In the meantime, be sure to check out my Remington Ranch series if you haven’t already. You can get started with book one, Mason, which you can download for FREE here.
If you’d like to keep in touch, there are a few options to keep up with me and my imaginary friends:
The best way is to Sign up for my Newsletter. Don't worry I won't bombard you! I'll let you know about upcoming releases, share a sneak peek or two and keep you in the loop for a couple of fun giveaways I have coming up :0)
You can join my readers group to chat about the books on Facebook or just browse and like my Facebook Page.
I occasionally attempt to say something in 140 characters or less(!) on Twitter.
And I’m always in the process of updating my website at www.SJMcCoy.com with new book updates and even some videos. Plus, you’ll find the latest news on new releases and giveaways in my blog.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’m better at that! :0)
I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then, take care, and thanks for your support—you are the reason I write!
Love,
SJ
PS – Project Semicolon
You may have noticed that the final sentence of the story closed with a semicolon. It isn’t a typo. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love, and inspire. It’s a movement I support with all my heart.
"A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you." - Project Semicolon
This author started writing after her son was killed in a car crash. At the time, I wanted my own story to be over. Instead I chose to honour a promise to my son to write my ‘silly stories’ someday. I chose to escape into my fictional world. I know for many who struggle with depression, suicide can appear to be the only escape. The semicolon has become a symbol of support, and hopefully a reminder – Your story isn’t over yet
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Also by SJ McCoy
The Davenports
Oscar
Coming next
TJ
The Hamiltons
Cameron and Piper in Red Wine and Roses
Chelsea and Grant in Champagne and Daisies
Mary Ellen and Antonio in Marsala and Magnolias
Coming next
Marcos and Molly in Prosecco and Peonies
Summer Lake Series
Emma and Jack in Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt FREE!
Holly and Pete in Work Like You Don't Need the Money
Missy and Dan in Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Smoke and Laura in Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded
Michael and Megan in Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried
Kenzie and Chase in Sing Like Nobody’s Listening
Gabe and Renée in Smile Like You Mean It
Missy and Dan’s wedding in The Wedding Dance
Ben and Charlotte’s backstory in Chasing Tomorrow
April and Eddie in Dream Like Nothing’s Impossible
Nate and Lily in Ride Like You’ve Never Fallen
Ben’s story Live Like There’s No Tomorrow
Smoke and Laura’s wedding in The Wedding Flight
Remington Ranch Series
Mason FREE!
Shane
Carter
Beau
Four Weddings and a Vendetta
Chance
Chance is a guy with a whole lot of story to tell. He’s part of the fabric of both Summer Lake and Remington Ranch. He needed three whole books to tell his own story.
Book 1: Chance Encounter
Book 2: Finding Hope
Book 3: Give Hope a Chance
Check out his page here to learn more.
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