Better Than First: Olympic Hopefuls: Book 1

by Trumbo, Kari

  “What proposal?” Isla wheeled into the room from the hallway that led back to the garage.

  “Just one of my soaps, dear. I’ve been trying to get Duncan to watch, but he just isn’t interested.”

  Duncan chuckled at the save and watched as Sofia pushed the door through back to the kitchen. Mateo raised an eyebrow along with a quick wave as he followed his wife.

  Isla pushed her chair over to the sofa, locked the wheels, and catapulted herself onto the couch as gently as she could. She landed somewhat close to him, then slid closer. “I’ve missed you, but I wanted you to be able to heal a bit in peace.”

  “I would’ve rather talked to you. Was beginning to think you were mad that I kissed you.”

  She chuckled, then turned to him. Sitting there on the sofa, no one would ever guess her infirmity. She sat just like everyone else. Isla reached up and ran her hand down his face, giving him a smile. He wished he’d been able to shave, but she gently tilted his face toward her and leaned in. He’d dreamed of kissing her, both while sleeping and awake. When their lips met again, he knew his doubts were garbage.

  Her sweater was as soft as down, and he slid his hand behind her to pull her closer, never breaking the kiss. Then the kitchen door swung open and Mateo appeared. Isla sighed and ended the kiss, resting her head against his shoulder.

  “Mama said you might need this. Looks like you agree with her.” Mateo laughed as he handed Duncan a wrapped Christmas gift about the size of an orange. It hadn’t been wrapped when he’d left it and he nodded his thanks to Mateo.

  He stared at it a minute then glanced up at the man who’d already given his permission and who would never have another chance to see a daughter married. “Why don’t you go get Sofia. I think she wanted to see this, too.”

  Mateo clapped him on the shoulder hard enough to shift both he and Isla, but he didn’t care. The man’s excitement was contagious and Isla stared at the gift, which obviously had been wrapped in a larger box than the original.

  Sofia came in and sat at the edge of her seat. “Go ahead. Open it.” She shooed her daughter along.

  Isla glanced at him for the okay, and when he nodded, she ripped open one end. If she didn’t want to marry him, he’d find out in the next few minutes. It wasn’t the way he’d planned, or prayed about, but everything else he’d planned for Isla had happened. She would never forget the last few weeks with him, but was it enough?

  She let the paper fall to the floor and broke the tape on the larger box. Inside, was the ring box and she gasped, lifting it out. She stared at him and her hands began to shake. He took the little maroon velvet box out and opened it. “Isla, I love you. Everything about you. Not just the parts you want people to love. All of you. Please say you’ll face the rest of life with me, face challenges and new experiences with me. I want you to be my wife, my partner—” He’d planned to say more, but her lips on his stifled not only what he planned to say, but any idea of what he’d thought he might say.

  She plucked the solitaire from the box and slid it on her finger. “Just like always. You planned ahead. Titanium band, because it’ll be clinking against my chair all the time, flat solitaire so that I can wear my gloves and not catch on them. Because I’m not taking it off. Ever.” She held out her hand and smiled as she leaned back against his shoulder. “It’s perfect. Better than gold. Better than my wildest dreams.”

  He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her ear. “Is that a yes?” he whispered and her parents leaned closer from their seats.

  “Si, mi amor. I say, yes.”

  Afterword

  From the Author:

  Minnesota means a lot to me as I’ve lived here my whole life. The places described in this book are real and I hope if you ever come to this great state, you take some time to see them. The exception, of course, is Fairview Ridges hospital. No offence to them, but I hope you never have to visit there. That particular place is special to me, however.

  When I got pregnant for the very first time, I did what so many new mothers do, I took all sorts of classes to teach you how to have a baby. I learned a lot things, but the things that stuck with me the most were: 1. Babies take a lot of time, so if you think you’re in labor, don’t worry, you’ve got on average, twelve hours to go. And 2. Your hospital can’t possibly turn you away, especially if you’re really in labor.

  Ah, memories.

  On a pretty morning in June, my husband and I were living in Jordan, MN and I woke up in pain. Serious pain. Within a half hour, there was no break between contractions. My husband, who attended most of the same classes I did and assumed we had hours, called his boss, took his time getting ready, while I laid in a ball on the bed and wailed like baby raccoon.

  Finally, my husband called the hospital to confirm if we should come in. I could barely speak at this point, so he had to do the honors. This was when I found out that #2 was a lie. They were very sorry but, my hospital was full. The closest was Fairview Ridges, and I’d never even been there. He got directions, grabbed me a cup of ice and my bag, and scuttled me down to my car. If I’d been in my right mind at that moment, I probably would’ve freaked out, but frankly, nothing but getting to a hospital really mattered.

  Since it was rush hour and traffic on 101 can be rough in the morning, we took the back roads out near Jackpot Junction. In fact, I remember seeing the sign to turn to Jackpot as I was hit with a particularly hard contraction and implored my husband to speed. Visions of having my baby on the side of the road with some strange fireman as a doctor took over (apparently, I’ve always had a bad case of author brain). This was not what all the classes promised. I’d only been in labor for about two hours at that point. This wasn’t supposed to happen this way.

  We got to Fairview and my water broke in the parking lot. I’ll save the other details, but my first precious baby made her entrance about an hour and a half after we arrived and little princess was happy, healthy, and apparently very ready to be a part of the big world. As if proving the doctors wrong on her birthday wasn’t enough, she’s spent the next fourteen years proving she could do whatever she set her mind to.

  Another place described in this book is a tad out of place. Cornerstone Church is not in the metro area, at least not the one I describe. My Cornerstone is in Litchfield, MN and happens to be the place where I worship. Pastor Paul’s name was used with his permission, but all dialog in the story is complete fiction. Cornerstone has welcomed us and continues to welcome new members every week. It has been a place of healing and growth for my family, so when I needed a church to be a part of my story, it was only natural I chose my own.

  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed Duncan and Isla’s story. We authors live by reviews, they are precious. No matter if you loved or hated the story, please consider leaving a review.

  Kari

  Also by Kari Trumbo

  You can find all of my titles at www.KariTrumbo.com

  Don’t miss this sweet, Christian romance, Heartstruck and Heavensent, each story in this multi-author series is a stand-alone.

  About the Author

  Kari Trumbo is a writer of Christian Historical Romance and a stay-at-home mom to four vibrant children. When she isn't writing or editing, she homeschools her children and pretends to keep up with them. Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing with the worship team, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, one cat, one bunny, and one hungry wood stove.

 

 

 
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