Apparently I was right – again.
“Come, my love,” Emrys whispered. He took my hand in his and we strolled down the pathway to the gazebo.
As we passed Lindy, she grinned and called out, “Hey, Lizzy! I hear you had a great time while we were gone!”
I nodded, and said, “We did! We’ll have to catch up later!”
I waved at the triplets who were still busy running circles around their mother, never tiring for a minute. Every now and then, one of them would stop and jump onto her lap, hugging and kissing her. Just before we were out of hearing range, I heard her say, “I missed you too, my little angels!”
Emrys and I sat nestled together in the gazebo. Someone had put soft cushions all along the benches since the last time I was out there. It felt quite comfortable and cozy as I leaned into the crook of Emrys’ encircling arm. Gazing out onto the sea, we watched the sun begin its journey down, the sky becoming a deep reddish-orange, lighting up a blazing path that glinted off the surface of the water. I sighed, remembering the beautiful sunsets and sunrises in the Hebrides and more recently, in Italy.
“This sunset is just as beautiful as those were, my lovely,” Emrys said softly.
“I agree. I guess I was just remembering all of our romantic moments after all those sunsets.”
“We have romantic moments here too, do we not?” he asked, giving me a squeeze.
“Sure we do. It’s just been so hectic the past few days, I forgot what it was like without three kids all over our living room, invading our privacy, getting everything in the world sticky.” I rubbed my fingers together, still feeling the remnants of the day under my nails.
“But just imagine how much your sister must have enjoyed her holiday. Peace and quiet, rest and relaxation…and much needed privacy.”
I sighed, agreeing with Emrys. All the exhaustion was worth it to give my sister the break she so deserved.
Emrys turned and glanced back at the scene in the yard. He said, “I am sure she appreciates the time off, but she looks really happy to be home too.”
I followed his gaze. Lindy was lying in the grass with her children, pointing up to the clouds. It reminded me of summer days when she and I did exactly that. Thinking back on all the troubles Melinda had gone through, I was thrilled that everything had finally turned into the happy ending she had yearned for. Every now and then a loud giggle would drift over to us, but for the most part, it was the first time in days that we were able to enjoy some peace and quiet. And as willing as I was to help my sister out, a part of me was glad they were home and Emrys and I could be alone again.
Being an auntie is quite enough for me, at least for now.
“For now?” Emrys asked, reading my thoughts.
“For now and for a long…long time. Like I told you years ago, you’ll be the first to know if I ever change my mind. Why, are you having second thoughts?” I asked, poking him in the ribs.
He shook his head. His black hair glistened in the waning light and he gazed at me with his dark, penetrating eyes.
“Not at all, my love. I am, and will always be content no matter what the future holds, as long as you are in it.
I rested my cheek on his chest and he held me close to him, running his fingers through my hair.
“Your hair is so lovely.” He leaned over and kissed the top of my head.
“Thank you.”
He put a finger on my chin, turning my face toward him. “Your eyes are like deep, blue morning skies.” He peered at me, his gaze intensifying.
“Your complexion is like a soft rose.” He touched my cheek, sending instant flashes of lightening down my spine and putting other thoughts into my head.
Like a long lingering soak in the hot tub and a night of romance - with no interruptions.
“Perhaps you will not say the same words you said last night then?” he whispered. “You told me to be quick.”
“No way. I want candles, flowers, and romance. Just like at the resorts,” I mused.
“I do believe I can make your wishes come true,” he said, in a rich, throaty voice. Pulling me to my feet, his eyes widened, excited.
“But aren’t you hungry?” I asked.
“I am only hungry for you,” he whispered, drawing me close, gazing into my eyes with love and desire.
“In that case, I think we should make our escape before anyone notices,” I said with a quick shiver, feeling the excitement beginning to build.
“I love you so much, my lovely wife.”
“Oh Emrys,” I said breathlessly, now welling over with profound love and adoration. “You really are my happy ending.”
After a long, warm embrace, he gently took me by my hand, leading me home. As we quickly, but stealthily made our way back to Ravenswynd, Emrys quipped, “My darling wife, I understand your meaning when you say that I am your happy ending, but we shall never really have an ending point. We are, and always will be, as one – for all eternity. ”
“Yes, for all eternity,” I said, even more breathless.
He stopped abruptly just before reaching our door, took me by both shoulders and gazed down into my eyes. Even though I knew exactly what his next words would be, gazing back up at him, I gave him a silent smile and waited expectantly.
He knew how much I loved it every time he said it, and after a brief pause, he gave me one of his most beautiful smiles and, speaking in a low, velvety tone, he said, “I would love to kiss you.”
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon Ricklin Jones wrote her first contemporary romance novel while homeschooling her youngest son. After several long distance moves and eventually becoming an empty nester, it was finally time to get busy editing that book. That was about five years ago. All was going well - until she had the most vivid dream she’d ever had in her life. This dream inspired the birth of the Ravenswynd Series, and Sharon started writing in a new genre: Paranormal Romance. Or as she likes to call it - Romance with a Twist.
After publishing the series, her first time-travel romance was published. (River of Time)
Sharon is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Wisconsin Romance Writers (WisRa), the author of two blogs, and somewhat addicted to social networking. And…she finally finished that contemporary romance in 2015! (Song of Memory)
Now living in a small town in central Wisconsin, she is currently working another time-travel romance novel.
Connect with the Author
Website
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If you enjoyed Sharon’sRavenswynd Series, you might like to check out her other novels. Here are a few reviews:
River of Time - (Time travel Romance)
Excellent novel. Although time travel has been written about in a thousand different ways, Jones has put a refreshing new twist on it. Wrapping a powerful love story around one of the more traumatic events of this century, I was unexpectedly drawn in by River of Time... You won’t be disappointed.
It was such a sweet, lovely tale with its magical twist… A warm and romantic read. Recommended for romance lovers.
A fantastic read that had me hooked from the first few pages.
I was instantly delighted to find a finely spun story that wove the romantic life of the main character with compelling threads of a time traveling mystery.
* * *
Song of Memory - (Contemporary Romance)
Song of Memory is one of those books that stick with you long after you have read the final page. I didn't want it to end. I fell in love with the characters in the very beginning and was swept away by a tidal wave of love and emotion clearly painted by the hand of the author. This book has it all. You will find yourself chuckling one moment and then brought to tears the next. I highly recommend this book.
Jones has clearly outdone herself with her latest book. I must say it is ONE of the best, if not THE best
romance novels I have had the pleasure to read in a very long time. Writing back and forth as both main characters, Sara and Jack, was a stroke of genius! … Draws the reader in from the very first page and keeps them guessing until the very end…one of those books with characters so vivid and so loved, they live on well after you turn that final page. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
River of Time
*Recommended Read on USA Today's Happy Ever After blog!
If you could go back in time and change things…would you?
Author, David Russell once said, “The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” But my dilemma was learning from which bridge to jump.
Unable to let go of the past, Maggie St.James' only desire is to "fix" her broken marriage. Confident she's found the way to travel through time, she makes a ridiculously dangerous plan. But will the benefits outweigh the risk? With every detail planned perfectly, she begins her journey. But there are two things she hadn't planned on: how to return to her own time... And meeting Logan Maddox.
∞
Song of Memory
A mysterious encounter on a dark highway sets two lonely people on a course of discovery.
Sara's humdrum world is turned upside down when she meets a stranger who says he knows her from the past and that she'd disappeared without a trace twenty years ago. She's bewildered and confused; why would someone play such a cruel prank on her?
Jack spent nearly two decades searching for her. But when he finally locates her, he is faced with a gut-wrenching discovery: Sara has absolutely no memory of him - or their life together.
Like a puzzle, Jack and Sara must piece back together the shreds of a life that was ripped apart.
Their heartwarming story is one about loss, loneliness, and renewed love.
The Ravenswynd Series - Boxed Set Page 97
