Love at the Italian Lake

by Darcie Boleyn

  She placed her free hand on his shoulder. ‘Of course I believe in you.’

  ‘I don’t ever want to be without you, Sophia. I’m not asking you to surrender any of your dreams. Not ever. But I am asking you to allow me to accompany you as you pursue them, as you embrace life and its challenges. Wherever life takes you, I want to be by your side.’

  ‘Oh Joe…’ she squeaked.

  ‘Sophia, will you be my wife?’

  She gazed at the man she loved, at the gathering of family and friends, at the burned orange of the sky, then out at the dark waters of the lake. It was here, just over twelve months ago, that her life had changed, that she’d found her second chance. It had been because of her grandmother, her mother, Phoebe and herself, but mainly because of Joe.

  ‘I’ve never wanted anything more in my life, Joe.’

  He pulled a platinum band from his pocket. It was set with a square emerald, snuggled between two smaller diamonds. He slid it onto her ring finger, then stood up.

  ‘I love you, Sophia.’

  ‘I love you too, Joe.’

  Then he swept her into his arms as champagne corks popped behind them, and their audience burst into applause.

  And Sophia felt that her heart would burst with happiness, because she truly had found love at the Italian lake.

  Acknowledgements

  My thanks go to the following:

  My husband and children, for your constant enthusiasm and encouragement with my writing. I love you and you are my world. XXX

  The fabulous team at Canelo. Your enthusiasm, hard work and prompt replies to my barrage of emails are deeply appreciated. Special thanks to Louise and Iain for your thoughts about how to make this a stronger novel; I’m certain that Sophia likes her new wardrobe!

  The incredibly supportive community of authors, readers and bloggers I interact with daily. You make all of this even more enjoyable!

  First published in the United Kingdom in 2017 by Canelo

  Canelo Digital Publishing Limited

  57 Shepherds Lane

  Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2DU

  United Kingdom

  Copyright © Darcie Boleyn, 2017

  The moral right of Darcie Boleyn to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  ISBN 9781911591337

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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