***
Hawthorne House opened ten days later, right on schedule. The whole town turned out for the open house.
Joseph and Lindsay covered The Riptide that day so that Jude could play hostess. She stood with Logan on the front porch, greeting friends, visitors and guests, smiling until she thought her face would crack.
“Do you know what it means to me to have you here right now?” Logan murmured into her ear. “It’s more than I ever could have dreamed when I was designing this place, putting it back together.”
Jude leaned her head on his shoulder. “I guess Hawthorne House is kind of like us. Old stuff put together in new ways.”
“Hey, speak for yourself. I’m not old, and I’m willing to prove it.” He winked at her. “There’s got to be one bed upstairs that’s not being used.”
“I doubt it. We’re full to capacity, and I’ve heard only good comments so far. Of course, that’s probably because Abby and Emmy are working their asses off.”
She glanced through the door, where she could see Abby chatting with guests in the sitting room, while Emmy passed another tray of cookies in the dining room. Cooper stood near the wall, talking to an older woman about his furniture designs, but Jude noticed his eyes followed Emmy as she wove among chairs and people.
“So far, so good.” Logan linked their fingers and kissed the back of her hand. “The portrait of Daniel should be ready by next month. But the photo Joseph picked out looks good for now.”
“It does.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “My feet are killing me. How much longer do you think we need to be here? Seems like things are slowing a little now.”
“Come on. I have an idea.” Logan tugged her hand and led her down the porch steps and around the side of the house, past the fragrant jasmine that crept up the side of the chimney, into the backyard. A few people wandered there, admiring the fountain or the neat beds of flowers, but for the most part, it was empty.
They crossed to a bench that sat secluded among the trees, and Jude sat down with grateful exhale.
“Better?” Logan pulled her feet onto his lap, removed her shoes and began rubbing her feet.
“Much. Ahhh. Keep that up, we might have to kick guests out of one of those beds after all.”
Logan quirked an eyebrow at her. “Sounds like a plan.” He massaged up her legs, tantalizing as he reached further onto her thigh.
Jude leaned her head back and hummed in appreciation.
“Speaking of rooms, I have a surprise for you. One I hope you’ll like.”
“Really?” Smiling sleepily, Jude captured one of his hands, held it in her own.
“I told Abby to put aside a room for us for two nights in October. For our wedding night, and to kick off our honeymoon.”
“Oh, Logan, really? That’s perfect.” She swung her legs down and scooted closer to him. “Thank you. I couldn’t imagine any better place to spend our first night together. Married, I mean.”
“And then, a week in New Orleans. You’ll love the city. Think of it, a week with nothing to do...but me.” He waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, and Jude laughed.
“I can’t promise I won’t call Joseph every day to check on the Tide, but I will try to be carefree. How’s that?”
“As long as it’s you and me, together, I don’t even care.” He brought his mouth down to hers again, this time deepening their kiss, coaxing her even closer.
“I have a surprise for you, too.” Jude spoke against his lips.
“Right here and now?” Logan’s eyes gleamed and Jude pushed against his chest.
“No, that comes later. This is different. But since we’re talking about plans and the future...” She shifted to see him better. “I listed my house with a rental agent.”
Logan blinked. “You did? When?”
“This week. She already has some interested renters. I know we talked about selling it, but if I don’t have to, I’d rather not.”
“Are you trying to keep your options open?”
She rolled her eyes. “Not at all. I was thinking, though, that at some point, if Joseph and Lindsay stay in the Cove, that apartment might become too small for them. They might want a bigger place. And since you and Daniel designed and built that house for me, I’d like it to stay in the family. Does that make sense?”
“Absolutely.” He drew her in, kissed her forehead. “So that just leaves one more question.”
Jude tilted her head. “Which is?”
“When are you moving in with me?”
She smiled, her eyes inviting. “I was thinking tonight.”
***
They gathered on a perfect afternoon in late October. The sun was still strong, but a cooling breeze from the ocean made the air just right. Above the gleaming white sand, the sky was deep blue, without even one cloud to mar its beauty.
The old dance pavilion had been decorated with draped cloth in green and yellow. Bunches of sunflowers filled vases at one end, and there were seashells scattered on the tables that surrounded the narrow aisle.
All the chairs that circled those tables were filled. On each table sat a tall clear bottle of limoncello.
The posse sat front and center, beaming in happy expectation. Janet wiped at her eyes as Eric held her other hand. Samantha grinned smugly as Sandra and Matt exchanged secretive smiles. Cooper sighed as he watched his daughter gaze around with starry eyes.
At the table behind them, Emmy kept her children quiet as she chatted with Abby.
Violin music played as first Meghan and then Lindsay walked down the aisle. They wore green, in different shades and styles, and Lindsay carried Daniel Joseph, dressed in an adorable little tuxedo. He looked around with wide eyes at all the people who ohh’d when they saw him.
Logan stepped to the front, wearing a simple gray suit. Mark stood up with him as his best man, representing the entire posse.
At his nod, the violin music ceased, and the opening strains of Crazy For You began to play. Sadie, in her role as mother of the bride, rose to her feet, yanking Mack up to join her. Everyone else followed.
Jude stepped over the dunes, holding onto Joseph’s arm. She wore a simple long dress in a deep green that nearly matched her eyes and complimented the dark hair that fell in waves around her shoulders.
Her eyes never left Logan’s as she walked toward him. Years of friendship and love seemed to converge in this place where both past and future met and meshed.
When they reached the front of the pavilion, Joseph kissed her cheek before he stepped back to join Lindsay and the baby.
Logan took her hand, laced his fingers with hers. As they turned to face the minister who would join them in the eyes of God, an oddly soft breeze swept around them, offering a blessing and a benediction of its own.
Jude smiled up at Logan, and they began their forever.
The Crystal Cove Books
The Posse
The Plan
The Path
If you enjoy spending time in
Crystal Cove, Florida
You’ll want to visit Burton, Georgia
and follow Jude’s daughter
on her adventures.
The One Trilogy
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
Jude loves music, especially tunes from her teenage years—which would be the 1980’s. It was a pleasure to enjoy some of these songs again while writing her story. Lots of memories there!
And Jimmy, I still always look for you when Crazy For You begins to play.
1985 …Bowling For Soup
If She Knew What She Wants…The Bangles
Let’s Go Crazy…Prince
Our Lips Are Sealed…The Go-Go’s
We Belong…Pat Benatar
The Glamorous Life…Sheila E.
The Tide is High…Blondie
Dancing in the Dark…Bruce Springsteen
Come On, Eileen…Dexy’s Midinght Runner
White Wedding�
�Billy Idol
Modern Love…David Bowie
Only the Good Die Young…Billy Joel
Rock the Casbah…The Clash
Crazy For You…Madonna
Stepping into a new genre is a scary proposition. One day, as I worked on finishing Endless, the final book of The King Series, I was driving home from the beach, and The Posse fell into my lap, fully formed. This is very unusual for me; generally, I meet a character and slowly discover her history, her story. But with Jude, I felt compelled to write her book, and I knew the details from beginning to end.
Since I have a fairly full publishing schedule, choosing to drop a new book into the lineup wasn’t easy. I did it anyway, and I am so glad I did.
I could not do what I do without the support and encouragement of my business partner and friend, Mandie Stevens. She tells me hard truths and keeps me on the straight and narrow, and she has taught me more about the business of being an author than I could ever imagine. Plus she lets me whine, gripe and vent whenever the need arises. I love you, my friend!
And the rest of my PBT family—particularly Amanda Long, Jen Rattie and Stacey Blake—you are fabulous. I love you all. We have the best team in the world, and I can’t imagine doing any of this without you.
Our bloggers are amazing. They are professional, encouraging and some of the best people I’ve ever met. Thank you for your support.
I mentioned Stacey Blake above, but I have to give her even more kudos. She has jumped into proof-reading, editing and formatting in addition to all the work she does for us at PBT. I truly believe there is nothing she cannot do. She also has taken on many of my admin tasks, freeing me to write. This book would not exist if not for her hard work.
Stephanie Nelson of Once Upon A Time covers has completely outdone herself with this one. You blow my mind!
The fearless and feckless ladies of Romantic Edge Books are the most sharing, wonderful, words-cannot-describe-them group of writers in existence. Ready to take on the world?
Up until the publication of my first book, I was always Mommy first. Consequently, my family has had to learn a new normal, as I am not always around, and even when I’m physically here, I might not be mentally present. They have handled it with grace and humor, and I love them for it, as well as for their constant cheerleading and support.
My husband inspires me each and every day. He has always been the first one to believe that I can do anything. Sometimes that’s a little frightening, but most days, it’s just the push I need.
To my readers ...your messages, your love for my characters and stories, have been life changing. Thanks for going with me into this new world. I promise we haven’t abandoned King.
Photo: 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 (THE KING SERIES), through NA paranormal and contemporary romance (THE SERENDIPITY DUET, PERFECT DISH DUO, THE ONE TRILOGY) to adult contemporary and paramystery romance (CRYSTAL COVE BOOKS and RECIPE FOR DEATH SERIES). She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.
You can follow Tawdra here…
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Other Books by the Author
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
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
The Seredipity Duet
Undeniable
Unquenchable
Recipe for Death Series
Death Fricassee
The Posse Page 17
