“He’s really cool. He and Crissy were talking last night, and he’s asked her to think about playing some dates with him, if they can work it out. Trent’s walking on air, just thinking about it.”
“I bet.” She smiled. “Everything’s okay with you two? Things are better?”
“Much better.” I touched my wedding ring, turning it around my finger. “We still have things to work on. Both of us come with a whole cartload of baggage. But we’re taking our time, and we’re talking a lot.” I lifted one shoulder. “What can I say? He’s the love of my life. He’s not perfect, but God knows I’m not either.”
“None of us are. I guess it’s a matter of finding the person whose imperfections match our own.”
“Speaking of matching . . .” I nodded to a table a few feet away. “Is that one there? Will and Sydney?”
“Oh, God, not if Sydney has her way. He keeps asking her out, and she keeps telling him no. He thinks he’s going to wear her down, but she’s pretty damn stubborn.”
“Language, Maureen.” Cory slid an arm around each of us. “This is such a nice party, isn’t it? It was sweet of Mason to put it together.”
“I told him he’s like our fairy godfather.” I smirked. “He didn’t like that so much.” The image of the huge man wearing wings and a tutu made all of us laugh.
“Hey, ladies, what’s the joke?” Trent joined us, crooking an arm around my neck and pulled me close for a kiss.
“Ah, it’s an inside deal.” Maureen poked him in the ribs. “Oh, hel-heck. Is that my fiancé climbing onto the stage? Excuse me, please, y’all. I need to stop this before someone hands him a mic.” She darted through the small groups of people, making a beeline for Smith.
“Those two.” Cory shook her head. “Good thing they found each other. Would be a shame to ruin two families.” She winked at me and patted Trent’s arm. “I promised Ali I’d come and sit with the little ones so she and Flynn could stop by tonight. But before I leave, I wanted to tell you both how proud I am of you. I know you’ve had a rough road. You didn’t give up on yourselves or on each other, and no one’s happier to see you together than me.” She gave me a quick, tight hug and then stood on her toes to kiss Trent’s cheek.
“Be happy, sweethearts. Be good to each other.” She blinked rapidly, making me suspect she was battling tears. “And always remember that you have a hometown waiting for you, no matter where you go.”
Cory squeezed my hand one more time and then turned to leave. Trent wrapped his arms around me from behind and kissed the side of my neck.
“Are you ready to begin the rest of our life together, baby?”
I covered his hands with mine and tilted back my head against his chest.
“As long as it’s always with you.”
Trent and Elizabeth’s story begins with the Christmas short
Underneath My Christmas Tree
Underneath My Christmas Tree
The Burton Books began with
The One Trilogy
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
The One Trilogy Box Set
And continued in
The Always Love Trilogy
Always For You
Always My Own
Always Our Love
Will and Sydney’s story is coming!
My One and Always
A short in the anthology
Love Paws
April 18, 2016
Peace — O.A.R
Home — Blue October
Goodbye Girl — David Gates
Hold Each Other — A Great Big World
I Breathe In, I Breathe Out — Chris Cagle
Slowdown — A Sunset Diary featuring Plugin Stereo
Back to You — Coconut Records
Trent first came on the scene in The Last One, where he was introduced at Mr. Sexy Cowboy. He was never meant to be anything more than just the town’s conveniently easy man-whore. So imagine my surprise when during the planning of the second Burton trilogy, Trent wouldn’t go away. He wanted his story told, and when I realized just what his story was, I knew he was in.
What happened between Jenna Sutton and Trent, and her subsequent response, has been an undercurrent in this series. We’ve heard about it from Trent, from Maureen Evans and from a few other Burton folks. But it’s time for Jenna to tell her own story. Always Our Love will be out in the summer of 2016.
My first thank you is to my wonderful readers, who wanted to go back to Burton. I love this small town in Georgia, so rest assured, there will be more Burton books, even after the Always Love books are finished. Thank you for enjoying it as much as I do!
Gratitude and appreciation to my usual team, who never fails to amaze me: Kelly Baker, proofer; Stephanie Nelson, cover artist; and Stacey Blake of Champagne Formats. Hearts and hugs, ladies!
Thank you to my author support team, including Olivia Hardin and Mandie Stevens, and to Jen Rattie, Maria Clark and Andrea Coventry for keeping me in line.
To my awesome Temptresses, big hugs! Special love to my betas: Sue Ann Brooks, Carla Edmonson, Christy Durbin, Anne-Marie Marcoux, Kara Schilling and Julianna Santiago.
And as always-always, thank you to my family for your support and patience. Love you all to the moon and back!
Photo by Heather Batchelder
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books run from YA paranormal romance through NA paranormal and contemporary romance to adult contemporary and paramystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.
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The King Series
Fearless
Breathless
Restless
Endless
Crystal Cove Books
The Posse
The Plan
The Path
The Perfect Dish Series
Best Served Cold
Just Desserts
I Choose You
The One Trilogy Box Set
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
12 Christmas Romances to Melt Your Heart
The Always Love Trilogy
Always For You
Always My Own
Always Our Love
The Seredipity Duet
Undeniable
Unquenchable
Recipe for Death Series
Death Fricassee
Death A La Mode
Always My Own (Always Love Trilogy #2) Page 22
