Red, White, and Bridesmaid
Page 4
“I’ll tell you later.” Jess wound her arms around his neck and floated on the top of the water.
Darrin brushed wet hair off her face. “I’m not sure the wedding went off perfect. But, what’s the fun of having something be perfect? There are no stories to tell afterwards.”
“Can you teach me to not always look for perfection?”
“How about you start with me, ’cause honey, I am far from perfect.”
“I’m willing to start there.”
Chapter 6
Three Months Later.
The bell of Jess’s flower shop jingled, and Truffles barked. When she turned, it was a happy surprise to watch Darrin stride through the door. He was dressed in a light-yellow dress shirt, fitted black slacks, and looked good enough to eat. Since Kara’s wedding, she and Darrin spent almost every free minute together. Darrin was a happy addiction that she didn’t want to kick.
Darrin bought a mix bread puppy. Ralphie, the same age as Truffles and led him through the shop on his leash. When he undid the clasp the two dogs playfully greeted each other and ran off to play.
Jess set the flower arrangement she was working with, on the table. “How did the meeting go?”
There was a darkened tinge of blushed excitement on his cheeks. She saw her answer by the look in his eyes. She cried out and ran to him. He pulled her into his arms.
“They agreed to sell me the building.” He spoke quickly. “It will be perfect for the clinic. Next week, when a few more people are hired, we can start ordering the equipment, and hiring physical therapists.” He stepped behind the counter. Reaching around her, he pulled a single red rose off the table and handed it to her.
“And I always told people that flower shops were bad places to meet guys,” she said.
“Good thing you already knew me.”
She took the rose. “I don’t think you want to give me that.” Jess nestled it back down with the others.
Darrin reached to pick it up again. Taking her hand, he laid the dark red petals in her palm.
“Flowers mean things...I know, it’s all silly.” She shrugged and looked down at the bloom.
“I might be a guy, but I know a few things.” He took her chin with his thumb and tipped it higher until she looked into his eyes. “Roses mean, I love you.”
“You read that off the wall poster out front?”
“Maybe I did.” Darrin dropped his hand and drew the rose between them. “But...it’s what I want to say. I’ve wanted to for a while—I love you, Jess. The nights you’re not at the farmhouse, it doesn’t feel right. I love you and I want you to move in with me.”
Jess nodded as her heart swelled.
He continued, “I’m going to ask you to marry me, but I need a few more months to recuperate from Kara and Jack’s wedding!”
“Is this a raincheck proposal?”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. I thought I’d better at least get you a ring.” He dropped on one knee. “I love you. Will you marry me... soon? Jess?”
Jess threw her arms around his neck. “I love you too, Darrin. Yes, I’ll marry you soon.” Shooting him what she hoped was a naughty grin; she sauntered over, flipped the closed sign to the street and then locked the door.
“This is so unlike you. I love it.” A wicked gleam lit his eyes. “What about your customers?”
“They can wait.” She took his hand and led him toward the storeroom. “We have a celebration of our own to attend to.”
“What do you have planned for that?”
“I have some spare rose petals I could wear.”
“Petals?” He audibly swallowed. “Just the petals?”
Jess grinned.
Darrin flipped her around, drew her close and took her in a passionate kiss. When he stepped back, he chuckled. “I guess you really are the petal peddler. Here all this time, I thought it was just the name of your shop. But I hope I’m the only one being pedaled to.” With his free hand, he peeled off her green shop apron before starting on the buttons of her blouse.
She’d been right when you least expected it, life changed.
She would never again doubt the magical-juju of the mobile mistletoe.
Her imperfect life was now perfect with Darrin in it.
READ THE COMPLETE WEDDING SERIES BY
SHARON KLEVE AND JENNIFER CONNER
THE DOGS BEHIND THE SERIES
The Real Truffles. My son and daughter-in-law’s puppy.
Ralphie, the Ringdog at my daughter’s wedding.
THE MOBILE MISTLETOE SERIES
READ WHERE IT ALL STARTED. THE FOUR STORY MOBILE MISTLETOE SERIES.
This is the boxed set of the best-selling Mobile Mistletoe Series.
Love Comes for Valentine's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, The 4th of July and Halloween.
Love Comes for Valentine's Day
At Christmas, Kara Hayward makes a pact with her girlfriends She’s wearing a headband of mobile mistletoe until a man kisses her.
The problem is it’s now Valentine’s Day.
Will Kara be stuck wearing the headband of shame the rest of the year, or will she find Mr. Right in a place she never expects?
Love Comes for Saint Patrick's Day
Zoe and her best friends make a pact to wear a Christmas mistletoe headband until a man kisses them. It worked for Kara, and Zoe’s next in line.
Now it’s Saint Patrick’s Day. Zoe’s met handsome Irish businessman, Carrick Kelly, but can she lay her heart on the line for someone who may be gone in a few days. Her job depends on Carrick signing a contract with her advertising agency, but he doesn’t think much of her boss’s ideas.
Torn between growing feelings for Carrick and work commitments, will Zoe get a little luck of the Irish to help her make a decision?
Red, White, and Bridesmaid
Jess Caldwell is the third in line to wear the mistletoe headband until she’s kissed. But it’s her best friend Kara’s wedding, Jess needs to keep her mind on designing the flowers and not on the fact that Kara’s older brother, Darrin, who she’s had a crush on for years will be there.
Darrin’s happy to be moving home, and what is even more of a pleasant surprise is seeing her again. Jess isn’t the geeky girl he remembered when he left. But after all the mean things he said in the past, will she give him another chance?
When things go wrong, more than fireworks fly for this 4th of July wedding. Will love be in the air?
Love Comes for Halloween
Now it’s her turn.
Until she’s kissed, Jane, is the last one of her girlfriends to wear the Mobile Mistletoe. Feeling pressured by her friends, she jumps on her dad’s motorcycle and heads out on the open road. But she doesn’t get far before it breaks down. What else can go wrong? Will she be eaten by a bear?
Gage has a past he wants to forget. Retreating to the mountains, where he can build custom bikes and cars in seclusion, he wants to give back for the mistakes he’s made.
Neither Jane or Gage are looking for a relationship, but isn’t Halloween the perfect time of year to scare up some love?
About the Author
Jennifer Conner
JENNIFER CONNER IS a best-selling Northwest author who has over eighty short, novella and full-length books in ebook, print, and audiobooks. She writes in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, and Erotica.
She has hit Amazon's top fifty authors ranking and her books have been #1 in sales.
Her novel Shot in the Dark was a finalist in the Emerald City Opener, Cleveland, and Toronto RWA contests.
Jennifer is an Associate Publisher for the indie e-book publisher, Books to Go Now who resides in the Seattle area. They pride themselves on helping new authors get their foot in the door with well-edited manuscripts, professional covers, and platforms uploads.
She lives in a hundred-year-old house that she grew up in. Her semi-small town holds an interesting mix of resident hillbillies, yuppies and Navy Se
als. And of course, Seattle, only a few miles away, is the birthplace of Starbucks so coffee is always on the checklist. She blows glass beads with a blow torch, (which relieves a lot of stress and people don't bother you) and is a huge fan of musicals.
She loves to hear from her readers. Please email her at jenniferconnerwriter@gmail.com
https://jenniferconnerwriter.wordpress.com/
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About the Author
Jennifer Conner is a best-selling Northwest author who has seventy short stories, books, and audiobooks. She writes in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, and Erotica.She has hit Amazon’s top fifty authors ranking and her books have been #1 in sales.Her novel Shot in the Dark was a finalist in the Emerald City Opener, Cleveland, and Toronto RWA contests.Jennifer is an Associate Publisher for the indie traditional publisher, Books to Go Now who resides in the Seattle area. They pride themselves in helping new authors get their foot in the door with well-edited manuscripts, professional covers, and platforms uploads.She lives in a hundred-year-old house that she grew up in. Her semi-small town holds an interesting mix of resident hillbillies, yuppies and Navy Seals. And of course, Seattle, only a few miles away, is the birthplace of Starbucks so coffee is always on the check list. She blows glass beads with a blowtorch, (which relieves a lot of stress and people don’t bother you) and is a huge fan of musicals.She loves to hear from her readers. Please email her at jenniferconnerwriter@gmail.comFor Updates about new releases as well as exclusive promotions, visit Jennifer’s website and sign up for the VIP mailing list. https://jenniferconnerwriter.wordpress.com/
Read more at Jennifer Conner’s site.
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