by Holly Jacobs
He nodded. “That about sums it up.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
He reached in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful sapphire ring. He slipped it on her left ring finger. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Epilogue
“Aaron Joseph Delacamp, keep that dog out of the water….” Louisa let the admonishment fade away since both Aaron and Rufus were already in the water. “He’s going to soak the car on the ride home.”
Joe just laughed. “I planned for it and packed the car with a ton of towels.”
“Smart man.”
“Lucky man, Mrs. Delacamp,” he murmured as his hand caressed her slightly rounded stomach.
She snuggled closer. Eight months of marriage and she still hadn’t shaken the sense of awe that all her dreams had come true.
Even Joe’s parents were coming around. They’d visited Erie just last week to meet Aaron. What could have been a strained visit was eased by Aaron’s excitement at finally meeting his grandparents. If asked, Louisa would never have guessed what happened next…Joe’s parents fell in love. Uncharacteristically, head-over-heels in love with their grandson.
Loving Aaron had given them all common ground—a place to start building a relationship.
“Look, the sun’s about to set,” Aaron cried, racing toward them with a very wet dog at his heels. “Listen. Maybe we’ll hear it this time.”
They were all silent. Just as the sun touched the water’s edge, Rufus started barking at a bunch of seagulls and chased after them.
Aaron said, “There’s always next time,” and ran after him.
“Missed it again,” Louisa said.
“I didn’t,” Joe said.
“You heard the hiss?”
“No, you see, you were wrong. It’s not a hiss. I heard a beating just as the sun hit the water. It said, Louisa, Louisa, Louisa…just like my heart does.”
She laughed and pressed her head against his chest. “I don’t hear it.”
“Then you’re not listening hard enough. That’s how my heart has always beaten.”
She lifted her head and kissed him. “Have I mentioned I love you lately, Mr. Delacamp?”
“Maybe, but no matter how many times you say it, you can’t say it too much.”
“I love you,” she said.
“Me, too.”
Curled in her husband’s arms, watching their son and his dog chase gulls as the sun sank below the horizon, Louisa knew that she was living her dream.
A dream that she was pretty sure would last forever after.
A special thanks to Sue Herman and Pulokos Chocolate for the inspiration!
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5403-2
DAD TODAY, GROOM TOMORROW
Copyright © 2003 by Holly Fuhrmann All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
Visit Silhouette at www.eHarlequin.com
