by Erin Wright
Actually, Hannah had only just barely managed to keep Brooklyn from pinning wings to the back of it. She was going to wear that dress until it had to be peeled off her in strips, she was sure of it. She wasn’t much of a froufrou sort of person, so to her, the dress just looked like a mix between whipped cream and Pepto Bismol with a dash of glitter for funsies, but it made Brooklyn happy and that was all that mattered.
The other part she’d had to put her foot down and count to three on was Brooklyn’s choice in shoes. She’d wanted Sunday shoes with heels on them, but Hannah had said absolutely not. Brooklyn’s leg was all healed up and the cast was off it, but Hannah wasn’t willing to take a chance on her breaking her leg again on the walk up the center aisle. So Brooklyn had settled on a pair of glittering gold slippers that matched Hannah’s, instead.
Carla picked up the oversized bridal bouquet, filled with every flower under the sun, and thrust it into her hands. “You’re gonna do great,” she said, dashing away a stray tear of her own. “Just remember…Marewage,” she said in her best Princess-Bride impersonation. “Marewage is what brings us togeder to-day.”
Hannah laughed as she hugged Carla one last time. Of course Carla was quoting Princess Bride. It was her all-time favorite movie. Heck, Carla could probably quote every line in it from start to finish. “I can’t wait until your wedding day,” she teased Carla. “I’m going to quote every line from Princess Bride to you that I can remember.” Which was considerably less than all that Carla had memorized, but she’d study up before the big day, just to be sure she did a bang-up job of it.
And then somehow, she was walking down the aisle, Brooklyn in front of her, gracefully tossing flower petals with all of the gravity and seriousness her eleven-year-old soul could muster. Hannah looked up and caught eyes with Elijah. For once, he wasn’t watching his daughter like a hawk to make sure that nothing bad was happening to her; his eyes were pinned on Hannah. He didn’t blink, he didn’t look away; she wondered if he even breathed. He just watched her, his eyes saying all that his actions over the past 18 months had said without words:
I love you, Hannah-soon-to-be-Morland. I love you more than I love the sun, the moon, and the stars. I’m sorry your papa couldn’t walk you down the aisle. I’m proud of you for choosin’ to walk down it by yourself instead. You’re the bravest woman I know, and even if I don’t deserve you, I will always love you.
Hannah made her way up to the front, Michelle and Carla standing on the left side of the platform, with Brooklyn on the right, standing next to Aaron who was serving as Elijah’s best man.
Their parents, unhappy about what a scandal the two of them had caused by dating even after the school district had fired Elijah, hadn’t been invited to the wedding. Hannah’s mother was watching from heaven, while her father…
Well, the father she’d known and loved growing up would’ve loved to have been there for his only child, and that was the father she clung to in her mind.
Sarah couldn’t be there for the big day, what with her being in jail for the next five to seven years, depending on her good behavior behind bars. Hannah could only hope she got the help she needed for her alcohol dependency while she was incarcerated.
When she made it up to the front of the chapel, Elijah slipped his arm through hers, steadying her, as they looked up at the pastor. Hannah clasped her bouquet to her, holding on for dear life.
Speaking of life…
It was more of a rollercoaster; more of an adventure; more of a thrill ride than the old Hannah ever would’ve known, but with Elijah and Brooklyn by her side, she was ready to take any of it on, and more.
Author’s Note, Part 2 :)
I conceived of Hannah’s storyline many moons ago, while I was writing Sugar and Jaxson’s love story in Flames of Love. Richard Schmidt was just such an asshole, as was his father, that it seemed like he’d affect more than one person’s life in a negative way.
(Not to give it all away, but Richard Schmidt, aka Dickwad, will be showing up in a future novel, too. I won’t say anything more than that here. #TotalTease)
In the middle of actually writing Lessons in Love, though, the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh began and I realized that some people might think I was trying to get political with Hannah’s story. I wasn’t. There are two topics I avoid at all costs with virtually everyone I know: Politics and religion. No good can come from talking about either one of those.
So Hannah’s story was based on nothing more than what all-too-many rape victims go through. To be honest, it was difficult for me to write those scenes, recounting what happened, because this isn’t a fictional storyline for way too many women in the world, but it was a story that I felt needed to be told.
And like all good plot lines that I write, Elijah’s story was also based on reality. My handsome hubby’s uncle went through a nasty custodial battle with the mother of his daughter, and he got a job at the school as a janitor simply so he could see her every day. That’s the kind of love every father should have for their children, and wouldn’t we be a better world for it if that were true?
One last thought: I dedicated this book to my own Hannah, one of my closest friends in the world, and a person who also happens to be one of the best teachers your child could ever be blessed with. I borrowed some traits of hers while writing this story to make it more real; others, I made up wholesale. But the struggle of being a teacher and living on low, almost poverty wages, is a very real one for her and millions of other teachers across the US. Time Magazine recently did an in-depth article on this topic that you can find here if you’d like.
Looking forward, there are many more stories still to come in the world of Long Valley. Michelle and Carla both get their own stories of course (Michelle in Sheltered by Love which will go live in 2020, and Carla in Bloom of Love which will go live in June of 2019) as will Aaron Morland – I haven’t found just the right girl to bring him to heel yet, so his story is hanging out in the to-be-announced section. :)
If this is the first book you’ve picked up by me, be sure to go back and check out the other books in the Long Valley world. Want to know more about Juan Miller’s background, and why Wyatt and Abby adopted him? That’s Arrested by Love. Want to hear how Adam the vet and Kylie (Hannah’s student from many moons ago) fell in love? You’ll find their story in Bundle of Love. And of course, you can’t overlook how it was that Sugar fell in love with the town’s new fire chief in Flames of Love. Every book in the Long Valley world interweaves itself with every other book, making each book a way of “going home” to people you’ve grown to love. After all, that’s why I write in one big world – I don’t want to leave Long Valley or my people behind, either. :)
Coming the day after Christmas of 2018 is my Christmas present to you – the next book in the Long Valley world. Burned by Love is the fourth novel in the Firefighters of Long Valley series, and focuses on Troy, the quietest firefighter in the bunch, but probably the one with the most going on behind the scenes. You won’t want to miss this one – I bet you never saw this twist coming. :D It’s available as a preorder on all storefronts now, so be sure to pick up a copy before the price goes up.
Thank you to everyone for all of your love and support – it’s such a cheesy saying but it’s true: I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for helping me make my dreams come true.
Love and hugs to you all,
Erin Wright
October, 2018
PS If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, you should. *hint, hint, nudge, nudge* I send out once a week (at the most) and give updates about what’s going on in my life, include pictures of my darlin’ cat, and give prizes away. I even give away a FREE novella to everyone who signs up called Stampede of Love. It’s not available to purchase on any storefront; you can only read it if you sign up for my newsletter. So be sure to check that out. :)
A FREE Story For You…
Enjoyed Lessons in Love? Not ready to
quit reading yet? If you sign up for my newsletter at http://news.erinwright.net, you will receive Stampede of Love, the love story of Rex and Kimber, right away as my thank-you gift for choosing to hang out with me.
Stampede of Love
Eight seconds…
That’s all Rex Kingsley wants. Eight seconds on the back of Bodacious, the most feared bull in the PBR. Two years ago, the massive bull threw him and stomped him into the sands of the Tulsa Rodeo in front of ten thousand spectators. Rex survived. Barely. Now his single goal is to conquer the bull touted as “unbeatable.” No bull rider has lasted eight seconds on Bodacious’ back for over five years. Rex aims to break that streak, and his lofty ambition leaves no room in his life for a woman.
Until Kimber…
Kimber Adams just wants to celebrate her birthday with friends. A few drinks. Maybe a spin on the dance floor. But when she falls into Rex’s arms, literally, her plans change. She and Rex share a night of passion but the handsome cowboy wants more. Kimber’s no stranger to the perils of bull riding, though. She makes it clear that Rex needs to choose between eight seconds on Bodacious…or a lifetime with her.
Their love is young and fragile. Can it survive the dangers of a rodeo cowboy’s life?
* * *
Read on for a taste of Stampede…
Stampede of Love Preview
(Rex and Kimber have just met in a bar, and sparks are flying…)
“I never caught your name,” he said, realizing that he couldn’t use her name if she hadn’t been the one to tell him. That was just stalkerish and weird.
“Kimber, not Kimberly.”
“Well, Kimber Not Kimberly, I’m Rex.”
“Rex?” She eyeballed him. “Like T-Rex? Who names their child after a dinosaur? I thought I had a weird name…”
“I will say, I’ve never heard of Kimber Not Kimberly.” She stuck her tongue out at him and he winked and grinned. “Rex is…it’s a nickname.”
“And you’re not going to tell me your real name, are you.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Not a chance,” he said with a grin.
“If I guess it, will you tell me if I’m right or not?”
“Not a chance,” he repeated, and grinned wider. She rolled her eyes and plowed ahead.
Roger…
Alonzo…
Maurice…
Crawford…
“You did hear that I wouldn’t tell you even if you were right, right?” he asked, laughing, after she guessed Lesley.
“But I thought I’d bat my baby blues at you and change your mind.” She batted her eyelashes in a mockery of a southern belle, and he laughed.
“Turns out, I’m immune to baby blues.”
“Well I’m just screwed…”
* * *
Stampede of Love is ONLY available by signing up for my newsletter – sign up for it here: http://news.erinwright.net
The story doesn’t end…
You’ve met a few people and have fallen in love…
You’re probably wondering when and where you can meet everyone else. Here’s the list of books, current and to-be-released, in the Long Valley world:
Accounting for Love – The bank’s threatening to foreclose on Stetson’s farm…and the auditor on the case is damn hot. Jennifer doesn’t mind a tough job, but handsome Stetson is trouble. And then came the night she had to spend on the farm. Can she find a way for him to save his farm? And if she can’t, will he ever forgive her?
* * *
Blizzard of Love – Luke never expects to end up spending Christmas at the Miller farm. Everyone knows he hates Christmas. But Bonnie adores Christmas, so when her best friend invites her to the Miller farm, she jumps at the chance. When a blizzard hits, sparks fly. Can the magic of mistletoe tear down the barriers between them?
* * *
Arrested by Love – When Wyatt Miller ended up in the Long Valley County Jail over Christmas, he never expected to receive the greatest gift of all: Love and forgiveness…from his jailer.
* * *
Returning for Love – If Declan could turn back time, the rugged cowboy would do things differently. For one, he would’ve never let go of Iris Blue McLain. Fifteen long and lonely years, and the ache in his heart is as painful as ever. When he sees her again, he can’t deny his feelings any longer, and vows to win the only woman he’s ever loved.
* * *
Christmas of Love – This December, Ivy wishes she could just skip all the festivities. Parties? No thanks. Getting together with family? Not even. Mistletoe? Let’s not go there. But everything changes when she meets a rugged cowboy with a slow, sexy smile. Austin’s kiss melts her heart, but can two people with painful secrets have a chance at happily ever after?
* * *
Overdue for Love – When Dawson left Arizona nine years ago, he never expected to see Chloe again. Until he runs into her at a diner in Sawyer, Idaho, and finds that she has a memento of their last meeting in tow…
* * *
Bundle of Love – Dr. Adam Whitaker, vet extraordinaire, has spent the last nine years helplessly in love with Chloe, and now he deserves his own happily ever after. Except, what if the love of his life comes with one condition…a baby?
* * *
Lessons in Love – Elijah hasn’t exactly made stellar choices in life, but the one thing he’s never regretted? His daughter, even if his ex-wife is doing all she can to keep them apart. In the midst of their custody battle, something unexpected happens: He begins to fall in love. Everyone knows your daughter’s elementary school teacher is off-limits, but someone forgot to tell Elijah’s heart…
* * *
Baked with Love – When Gage took over his grandparent’s bakery three years ago, love was the last thing on his mind. Despite the best efforts of his wanna-be-matchmaker sister, Emma, he was content to keep his nose to the grindstone, work his ass off, and make the bakery the success he knew it could be.
That all changed the day the neighbor from hell bought the shop next to his and began remodeling, destroying Gage’s well-ordered life in the process. It really was too bad she was so damn gorgeous... [COMING FEBRUARY 2019]
* * *
Bloom of Love – Carla has always been a romantic; after all, she couldn’t run the flower shop in town, Happy Petals, if she didn’t believe in true love, right? But she also happens to be single, and she’d just about given up on love for herself when Christian comes into her life. For one brief, shining moment, she thinks she might be able to have her own happily ever after. But nothing worth having comes easily… [COMING JUNE 2019]
* * *
Stampede of Love – Rex the Bull Rider only wants one thing in life: To beat Bodacious, the most feared bull in the PBR. But when he meets Kimber, he has to make choice: Eight seconds…or a love of a lifetime.
Bonus: Stampede of Love is available only to my mailing list. Sign up to receive it today: http://news.erinwright.net
~ Firefighters of Long Valley ~
Flames of Love – Jaxson’s not interested in love, or the perils that come with it. His priority is caring for his two small boys, and being fire chief of Sawyer. Everything changes the day he catches sight of Sugar, the pretty girl with the fragile smile. He wants her all to himself, and preferably in his bed – a no-strings arrangement that won’t break what’s left of his heart. But love’s as unpredictable as fire…
* * *
Inferno of Love – Georgia has spent a lot of years – roughly 26 of them – pretending Moose wasn’t the finest man in town. For the record, she barely notices how his slow, sultry smile makes her knees weak, and always ignores the close fit of his faded jeans. But when she gets trapped in the flames of a wildfire out in the hills of Long Valley, Moose appears amidst the smoke, ready to walk through fire. For her…
* * *
Fire and Love – Levi has wanted Tenny for forever. Too bad the town’s beauty queen is waaay out of his league.
While she grew up with money, h
e grew up dirt poor. While she’s a daddy’s girl, his father’s a mean drunk with a vicious back-hand.
Levi should just forget about the high-class blonde, but she has a secret that changes everything. When the ghosts of the past return, he must choose between love…or betrayal.
* * *
Burned by Love – Nephew of the former fire chief of Sawyer, Troy was happy when no one looked his way to take over after his uncle retired. Troy appreciates his solitude, and just being a part of the background makes it easy to guard his secrets.
But secrets have a way of forcing themselves to the surface, no matter how hard one tries to hide them… [COMING DECEMBER 2018]
~ Music of Long Valley ~
Strummin’ Up Love – Zane was on top of the world…until a car wreck took his wife’s life and left his son badly crippled. Late one night, he makes the rash decision that if he’s going to hide out somewhere and lick his wounds, it might as well be in Idaho. But when Nurse Louise comes strolling into his life, there to help his son recuperate, Zane quickly realizes his son isn’t the only one who needs her healing touch… [COMING APRIL 2019]
