“You’re here.”
“I… I am. I just—”
“You’re here,“ his voice rumbled deeply, his hands clenching, wanting to touch her so badly they ached.
“I needed some time to think and—”
“You’re here,” he repeated, not able to even freaking blink, afraid he was just imagining her.
“I am,” she whispered. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears when he took the last small step that separated them. His hand cupped the back of her head, sliding into her hair as he rested his forehead against hers. He could breathe soundly for the first time since he had put her in that car. “I’m ready.”
“To?”
“To be carried away,” she softly shared, her breath tickling his lips, his heart soaring with joy. “To be carried away with you.”
“Good, because so am I. Totally carried away for my Carrie.” He grinned, and she giggled. “I love you, Carrie Blue. I know it’s crazy, but I do. I know it like I know the sun is going to rise tomorrow. Just like I know you are it for me.” He felt a tear rolling down her face before he kissed it away.
“I love you too, just the same way, Joel Vega.” The sound of her admitting it, knowing the beauty that their life would have, the beauty he would work to the bone to give her, he couldn’t stop himself. With a growl, his lips were on hers. Everyone in the airport disappeared from their view. Their kiss was so intensely passionate, everyone around them faded to the far corners of their mind, ceasing to exist for them at that moment.
No matter what, from that moment on, he knew everything would work out. If he had his girl by his side, he knew life was going to be better than okay. It was going to be beautiful.
Epilogue
Carrie
A little over a year later, the day before Valentine’s, to be exact
The snow had come and gone, leaving nothing but a chill in the air in Hope Falls and all the beauty of the mountains. She sipped her coffee, then waved at Kelly inside of Sue Ann’s Café as she walked past it toward Between the Lines bookstore, where she had left her car.
Her phone rang and she dug it out of her purse, smiling at the picture on the screen.
“Did you land?” she asked, her heart excitedly skipping a beat.
“Do you have any idea how good it is to hear your voice and know I’m only minutes away from seeing you?”
“More like over an hour,” she mumbled. “You still have to get your bags from baggage claim.”
“I love you,” he told her, his deep voice warming her up, and she wished he was there with her so she could kiss him. “You know that, right? That I love you so damn much?”
“I love you too, baby.” And she did. She still remembered how she had wondered if her feelings would ever fade away as she had packed her bags over a year ago to surprise him at the airport. It was silly thinking about it now. Never, not even when they argued or disagreed, did her feelings ever fade. Neither had his.
Within two weeks of arriving, she had found a teaching position at one of the schools his software would be used at. He had probably pulled some strings for her, but she didn’t care. She was teaching again and they had created a life together. Traveling through Asia, they had had a great time, experiencing life and adventures together. Before they had finished their first month in Tokyo, she had quickly realized that home for her was with him. Sure, she had missed her girls, though thankfully, technology made it possible for them to still have their weekly dates, though they had happened over Skype.
She had returned stateside two weeks ago, and Joel had told her he wanted to see her at the cabin before they jumped into regular life back in LA. “So, where are you?” he asked, sounding slightly distracted. She smiled as she unlocked her car.
“On Main Street,” she shared, enjoying the sound of his laughter.
“Let me guess, new book?”
“And lunch at Sue Ann’s.”
“Sounds fun.”
“It was, now I am starting my car and heading to the cabin. You hungry?”
“I could eat,” he rumbled, and she shivered knowing exactly what he was thinking about eating. She laughed.
“I’m serious. I can cook.”
“How about we figure it out when I see you, yeah?”
“Okay,” she whispered. “See you in a little bit,” she said before she ended the call.
When she arrived at the cabin she noticed the lights were on, though she was sure she had turned them off before she left. She slipped out of her car and walked up the driveway to the door that was unlocked. Opening it slightly, she dropped the bags in her hand, her eyes widening at what she saw in front of her.
Red and pink rose petals were strewn over the hardwood floors, the floral path leading right to the man of her dreams.
Tall and strong, and beautifully rugged, even in his crisp white dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled up his sexy forearms. He was kneeling as he stared at her with a sexy grin on his face. Her heart flipped inside out in her chest. He was here. Kneeling. For her. Confused, that’s when she saw it. A beautiful wooden box in the palm of his hands. She couldn’t get herself to move from the doorway, the vision of him, of how their lives were about to change once again, too beautiful to look away from. She started to giggle.
Through laughter and tears, she thanked her stars she let herself get carried away by him.
The End
About The Author
Mayra Statham resides in Southern California with her three children and her husband. Between life, family and writing she usually has her hands full, but on her time off she enjoys a great cup of coffee and amazing book!
She loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her on social media platforms and via e-mail mayrastatham@gmail. com
Books by Mayra Statham
Six Degrees Series:
Crown’s Chance at Love
Etched in Stone
Davenport Harbor
Never Too Late Series:
Longing for You
Wishing for You
Lucky for You
Right Men Series:
LIE
STEAL (Coming Spring 2017)
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