by Donna Alward
Before the bouquet, though, came the garter. Among jeers and catcalls, Aiden reached up beneath her skirt and pulled off the lacy strip of elastic. He smoothed his fingers over the soft flesh of her thigh on the way down, sending tingles along her skin. “Naughty,” she whispered, looking forward to the night ahead.
All the bachelors were pushed onto the stone patio as Aiden stretched the elastic and sent it flying. It landed right on top of Ethan’s glass of beer.
There was lots more hollering and teasing going on, and Ethan’s scowl was made deeper by the blush on his cheeks. Then he gave a sheepish smile and everyone relaxed a bit more.
Laurel turned her back on the gathered single women and counted down. “Three … two … one!” She sent the bouquet flying over her head and, if she aimed right, down the left side of the group. A shout went up and she spun around to see Willow holding the bouquet in her open hands.
Just as she’d wanted.
Next they made Willow sit while Ethan was supposed to put the garter on her leg. He got it up to her calf and then made the mistake of looking up. Laurel nearly laughed. Both of them were blushing furiously, and Ethan backed off right away. Maybe Laurel wanted Willow to find her true love next, but it was highly unlikely it would be determined by a bouquet and garter toss. Ethan and Willow were far too different. She saw Oaklee with her stupid phone out again. Probably sending out another tweet or something.
“Well, Mrs. Gallagher, shall we go?” Aiden’s voice was warm in her ear.
“Yes. Let’s go home, Aiden.”
Rory did transportation honors. Aiden and Laurel cuddled in the backseat as he drove back into Darling and straight to Laurel’s house. There was finally quiet now, and a settling that had the both of them coming to terms with the day and pausing before stepping into their future together.
Rory got out and opened Laurel’s door. “Congratulations. I really don’t need another sister, but if I have to have one, I’m glad it’s you.”
“I see flattery runs in the family,” she responded, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Rory. For everything.”
Aiden and Rory had a quick man-hug before Rory got in the car and left them standing there on the sidewalk outside her house.
“Well, Mrs. Gallagher?”
He scooped her up in his arms and she gave a little squeak. She dug out her key from her tiny purse and opened the door, and he stepped inside and put her down in the tiny foyer.
“Welcome home,” he said softly. “It doesn’t feel real.”
“I know. But it is. We did it. For better or for worse.”
“Remember what I said about how what your place needed was some touches to make it into a home?”
“Mmm-hmmm.” She was busy at the moment, nuzzling at his neck, reaching for his neck tie. It had been a long day. And they’d hardly seen each other in three weeks. She was ready. So ready. And this dress would take a few minutes to get out of …
“Laurel, turn around.”
She did. And pressed her hand to her chest.
There, above the mantel, was the original picture of the two of them. Straight out of the town hall, it was now above her fireplace. Lord, he’d been adorable, all gingery curls and impishness. He was holding her flower-girl basket and she was leaning forward, planting a kiss right on his lips, wearing a white dress with a pale green sash.
And there, on the table next to it, was a new picture. One from this afternoon, done so quickly.… How had he arranged it?
“Your mom,” he said, answering her unasked question. “She had a key. The photographer rushed to print it, and I had the frame already. It’s my wedding gift to you.”
This picture was nearly identical to the first. She still wore a white dress with a sash, and he was holding her flowers as she leaned in to kiss him. But they were older, wiser, less innocent, but far more hopeful.
She leaned back against his chest. “I never thought I’d really find this, you know,” she said softly. “I thought it wasn’t meant for me. That I’d come as close as I ever would.”
“But?”
“But I didn’t plan on finding somebody like you. Or rather, you finding me.”
“But I did. We did.”
“And you didn’t give up.”
“Nope.”
She sighed, unbelievably happy. “I think we’ve always been moving toward this moment, you know? And I know I said I wanted time, but I discovered something before the wedding.”
“What’s that?”
“I wanted you more than I wanted space.”
He nuzzled at her ear. “Know what else?” he whispered.
She tilted her head back against his shoulder. “What?”
He smiled against her cheek. “It’s time you stopped talking.”
She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then kissed him, and kissed him, and kissed him, until they were both breathless.
And then he loosened his tie, and she put down her bouquet of flowers, and they began their journey … as a family.
Don’t miss the next two novels in the Darling series by
Donna Alward
Someone to Love
Somebody’s Baby
Coming soon from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
ALSO BY
DONNA ALWARD
House on Blackberry Hill
Treasure on Lilac Lane
Summer on Lovers’ Island
PRAISE FOR THE JEWELL COVE SERIES
“Donna Alward has become a shining star … Fans of Brenda Novak and Robyn Carr are going to simply adore.”
—Fresh Fiction
“This story of loss, family love, and the power of friendship is one anyone will love to be a part of. The emotions that Summer on Lovers’ Island brings out is amazing.”
—Romance Junkies
“I loved everything about the sleepy little town of Jewell Cove. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a great second chance at love story set in a small town.”
—Harlequin Junkie, Top Pick
“Wonderful, witty, and memorable … readers will love discovering the richly layered stories and enticing secrets residing in Jewell Cove.”
—New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump
“Donna Alward writes warm, memorable characters who spring to life on the page. Brimming with old family history, small-town secrets and newfound passion, you’ll want to pack up and move to Jewell Cove, Maine!”
—Lily Everett
“Old family secrets, a bitter tragedy, and a restless spirit add mystery and an eerie touch to this compelling story that is steeped in small-town New England flavor so rich you can taste it and beautifully launches the author’s new series.”
—Library Journal
“The House on Blackberry Hill was my first Donna Alward book and I loved it! The romance was sweet, the characters were quirky, and the town of Jewell Cove was amazing. It sounds so enchanting; I would love to live there!”
—Bad Ass Book Reviews
“Well-written, well-thought-out, and definitely worth the read! It will make you want to visit Jewell Cove over and over again! Looking forward to her next installment of the Jewell Cove novel.”
—Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers!
Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s
not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking … and is a Masterpiece Theater addict. You can visit her on the web at www.DonnaAlward.com and join her mailing list at www.DonnaAlward.com/newsletter, or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Also by Donna Alward
Praise for the Jewell Cove Series
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
SOMEBODY LIKE YOU
Copyright © 2017 Donna Alward.
Cover design Danielle Christopher
Cover Illustration © Tom Hallman
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
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eISBN: 978-1-250-09265-6
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / February 2017
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
