by Jenna Brandt
They arrived at the Mariner’s Club, and Molly turned to Spencer with a giant smile on her face. “We’re having dinner here? We haven’t been back since our first kiss.” Her face scrunched up as she laughed, “Well, our second first kiss that is.”
“I thought we could celebrate you finally being a permanent Crystal Cove resident again.”
“I like the sound of that. It’s nice being home,” she said as Spencer helped her out of the car.
They made their way down the pier and into the swanky establishment. The same twinkling lights were glowing around the property, but this time there were extra strands on the wooden wall, arranged to spell out, “Will you marry me?”
Molly stopped moving, and turned to Spencer with disbelief. “Is that for me?”
Spencer nodded, getting down on one knee in front of her. He pulled out the ring box and opened it to reveal the engagement ring. “Will you marry me?”
Her hands flew to her mouth as her body shook. She jumped up and down as she shouted, “Yes, yes, I will marry you.”
He placed the ring on her finger, then stood up and pulled her into a hug. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.”
“Why don’t we go inside and enjoy dinner. I still have a couple more surprises for you.”
“There’s more?” Molly asked with awe. “What is it?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Spencer said with a wink, as he pushed open the doors to the club, revealing tons of twinkling lights and candles, making the room glow with warmth. The back doors started to open, and in filed all of their friends and Molly’s family.
They surrounded the newly engaged couple, as Spencer yelled, “She said, ‘yes,’” as he took her hand and raised it in the air for all to see.
There was deafening applause and cheers that filled the massive room. Spencer turned around.
“Is this a loud enough shout that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you?”
“Yes, of course it is.”
“I’m glad to hear it, but there’s still more,” he told her.
The familiar sound of Only You started, causing Molly to jerk her head towards the stage. “You had Blindsided come perform for us again?”
“You bet I did. I want to make you happy every day of your life, Molly.” He leaned towards her and kissed her before adding, “I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” she said, letting him gather her into his arms.
They swayed to the music together, enjoying their song, with all their friends and family around them. When the music ended, Spencer turned to the crowd and said, “I’m so glad all of you could be here with us tonight. Pastor Matt said a few months back that sometimes God gives you a second chance because you’re not ready the first time. That’s exactly how I feel about Molly and me ending up together all these years later. I wasn’t ready back when we were kids—actually it was worse than that, I messed it up completely, but our God is a God of second chances. Fortunately, Molly and I both believe in love and forgiveness. We’ve realized that this time we can get it right.”
He turned to Molly, his heart full with joy at the thought of marrying her, and said, “We were meant to be, Molly. I’m so glad you decided to take another chance on me. I didn’t deserve it, but you gave it to me anyway, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you that you made the right decision.”
Over the course of the next two hours everyone came up and congratulated the happily engaged couple. Towards the end of the evening, Molly’s parents came up to them and handed them an envelope.
“What’s this?” Molly asked with puzzlement.
“It’s a check with the amount of money we saved up for your wedding,” her mother explained. “We always hoped you would find the right guy to settle down with, and now you have.”
“I know you’re going to treat my daughter right. You’re a good man, Spencer, and I’m going to be proud to call you my son.”
Ken Price’s affirmation made Spencer proud. He had said as much when Spencer asked for the man’s blessing on their marriage, but it never got old hearing that he approved.
“You don’t have to give us that money, Mr. Price. I can handle the cost of the wedding,” Spencer offered.
Molly’s father shook his head. “I know you can, but I want to do this. If you don’t want to use it, save if for the future grandkids you plan to give us.”
A few minutes later, Greg came up to them and was grinning ear-to-ear. “I’m so happy for you guys. God worked it all out the way it’s supposed to be. Before I go, I have something to share with both of you.” He pulled out a phone from his back pocket and punched a button.
Suddenly, the familiar voice of Sarah came from the phone as Greg turned the phone towards them. “Hey, you guys. Sorry I can’t be there, but I wanted to tell you both how happy I am for you. Everything is great over here in Uganda. I love my English classes I’m teaching. God is really doing amazing things here, and what started out as just a year trip, looks like it’s going to be permanent. I plan to make a trip back for your wedding though, so make sure to send me an invite,” she finished, blowing them a farewell kiss in the video.
“Thanks for that, Greg. We appreciate you delivering the message,” Spencer said, patting his friend on the back.
Next to talk with them was Pastor Matt, and his wife, Sandra. They came up to the couple with giant smiles on their faces.
“Congratulations you two,” Sandra beamed at them. “You two make the cutest couple.”
“Thank you,” Molly said with a smile.
“I’m excited to preside over your wedding. Just let us know when you’ve set a date, and we can schedule your pre-marital counseling.”
Spencer nodded. “Thanks, Pastor Matt. We’ll do that.”
Once they were alone again, Molly turned to Spencer and said, “All of this has been the most wonderful surprise. I’m so touched by all the work you put into this.”
“You’re worth it, Molly. I love you so much, and I wanted our engagement to be a night you would never forget. Next, we need to start planning our destination wedding. Where do you want to get married? Paris, London, Hawaii, the Bahamas? You pick anywhere you want, the sky’s the limit.”
“I don’t care where it happens, as long as I get to promise to love you the rest of our lives.”
He pulled her into his arms, and whispered against her ear, “I like the sound of that. Our lives. We’re going to be incredibly happy, Molly Price.”
“I agree, Spencer Wilmington,” she murmured back, just as his lips descended to hers, searing her with a kiss that branded Molly his for all eternity.
A Note from the Author
I hope you have enjoyed The Billionaire’s Hideaway and plan to continue to reading all of my books, including my other Second Chance Islands Book, The Billionaire’s Reunion, as well as my Billionaire series, Billionaires of Manhattan, where the land developer from The Billionaire’s Hideaway makes an appearance in the first book, Waiting on the Billionaire. Your opinion and support matters, so I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. Without dedicated readers, a storyteller is lost. Thank you for investing in my stories. If you would like more info, please join my newsletter and get a free novella just for signing up for my Newsletter.
Also by Jenna Brandt
Most Books are Free in Kindle Unlimited too!
Billionaires of Manhattan Series
The billionaires that live in Manhattan and the women who love them. If you love epic dates, grand romantic gestures, and men in suits with hearts of gold, then these are books are perfect for you.
Waiting on the Billionaire
(Also on Audiobook)
Nanny for the Billionaire
Merging with the Billionaire (coming soon)
Second Chance Islands Series is about billionaire’s having second chances, at love and life while redeeming their pasts on various islands around the world.
>
The Billionaire’s Reunion
The Billionaire’s Hideaway
The Lawkeepers is a multi-author series alternating between historical westerns and contemporary westerns featuring law enforcement heroes that span multiple agencies and generations. Join bestselling author Jenna Brandt and many others as they weave captivating, sweet and inspirational stories of romance and suspense between the lawkeepers — and the women who love them. The Lawkeepers is a world like no other; a world where lawkeepers and heroes are honored with unforgettable stories, characters, and love. Jenna’s Lawkeeper books:
Historical
Lawfully Loved-Texas Sheriff
Lawfully Wanted-Bounty Hunter
Lawfully Forgiven-Texas Ranger
Lawfully Avenged-US Marshal
Lawfully Covert-Spies (Coming Soon)
Contemporary
Lawfully Adored-K-9
Lawfully Wedded-K-9
Lawfully Treasured-SWAT
Lawfully Dashing-Female Cop/Christmas
Lawfully Devoted-Billionaire Bodyguard/K-9
Lawfully Heroic-Military Police (Coming Soon)
Match Made in Heaven Series-standalone stories that are sweet, clean romances designed to whisk you away. Not every man has six-pack abs, nor every woman the model of femininity, but everyone needs someone. We believe in building a world that begins at the very core of what makes romance stories work—faith, hope, and love. Now it’s your turn to find love. Set your imagination and heart free with us. The next happily-ever-after is at your fingertips, just waiting to be told…Jenna’s Matched books:
Royally Matched-Contemporary
Discreetly Matched-Historical
Silverpines Series-centered around the fictional town of Silverpines, Oregon, during the turn of the 20th century. When a disaster takes most of the men, the women are left to save the town by placing mail-order groom advertisements. Get to know the various lovable characters and their stories from some of todays bestselling historical authors.
Wanted: Tycoon
Belles of Wyoming Series-centered around the fictional small town of Belle, Wyoming. Each set of books take place during a season of the year.
June’s Remedy
Bride Herder Series-take one failed rancher turned matchmaker and ten unexpected brides at once with no clue as to who wanted them. What could go wrong?
Herd to Please
Mail Order Misfit-a mail order bride story about a woman running from a broken past and a widower with three children who is hiding from a broken heart. What happens when they decide to take a chance on each other?
Mail Order Misfit
Civil War Brides Series-the story of the women and the men they love in Myrtle Grove, South Carolina during the civil war.
Saved by Faith
Freed by Hope
Healed by Grace
The Window to the Heart Saga is a recountal of the epic journey of Lady Margaret, a young English noblewoman, who through many trials, obstacles, and tragedies, discovers her own inner strength, the sustaining force of faith in God, and the power of family and friends. In this three-part series, experience new places and cultures as the heroine travels from England to France and completes her adventures in America. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with an exceptionally gratifying conclusion.
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
For more information about Jenna Brandt visit her on any of her websites.
www.JennaBrandt.com
Jenna Brandt’s Reader Group
www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
Signup for Jenna Brandt’s Newsletter
Join My Mailing List and Reader’s Group
Sign-up for my newsletter and get a FREE story.
Join my Reader Group and get access to exclusive content and contests.
Acknowledgments
My writing journey would not be possible without those who supported me. Since I can remember, writing is the only thing I love to do, and my deepest desire is to share my talent with others.
First and foremost, I am eternally grateful to Jesus, my lord and savior, who created me with this “writing bug” DNA.
In addition, many thanks go to:
My husband, Dustin, and three daughters, Katie, Julie, and Nikki, for loving me and supporting me during all my late-night writing marathons and coffee-infused mornings.
My mother, Connie, for being my first and most honest critic, now and always. As a little girl, sleeping under your desk during late-night deadlines for the local paper showed me what being a dedicated writer looked like.
My Angels in heaven: my grandmother, who passed away in 2001; my infant son, Dylan, who was taken by SIDS five years ago; and my father, who left us three years ago.
To my ARC Angels for taking the time to read my story and give valuable feedback.
And lastly, but so important, to my dedicated readers, who have shared their love of my books with others, helping to spread the words about my stories. Your devotion means a great deal.
About the Author
Jenna Brandt is an award-winning, international best selling, historical and contemporary romance author. Her historical books span from the Victorian to Western eras and all of her books have elements of romance, suspense and faith. Her debut series, the Window to the Heart Saga, as well as her Billionaires of Manhattan Series, have become bestselling series, and her multi-author series, The Lawkeepers, Silverpines, Belles of Wyoming, and Bride Herders are fan-favorites.
She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. She has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in English from Bethany College and was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper while there. Her first blog was published on Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News and Good Morning America websites.
Writing is her passion, but she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading, engaging in social media and spending time with her three young daughters and husband where they live in the Central Valley of California. She is also active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team.
