Pieces of Forever: A Christian Romance (River Falls Book 1)

by Valerie M. Bodden

  “Your Aunt Lori gave this to me.” His voice was thick with emotion. “It was your mother’s.” He tipped the bag to reveal a thin gold band encircled by tiny diamonds. Tears fell onto Ava’s hands as Joseph slipped the ring onto her finger. “Forever,” he whispered. “My promise is still forever.”

  Epilogue

  “Smile.” But the photographer’s command was unnecessary. Ava hadn’t stopped smiling once all day. And she was pretty sure she would never stop smiling again.

  When she’d stepped into the church an hour ago, she’d kept her eyes on Joseph’s face at the other end of the aisle. She’d savored the light in his eyes, the unstoppable grin on his lips, the way he’d taken a step closer to her even before she’d started down the aisle.

  And she’d marveled at what it felt like to be a bride rejoiced over by her bridegroom.

  The ceremony had been perfect, with Joseph’s daddy officiating and Aunt Lori, Ava’s matron of honor, sniffling loudly behind her, as Joseph had promised to take Ava for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do them part.

  For her part, Ava had been sobbing and laughing at the same time.

  “All right, look that way,” the photographer said now, pointing toward the lawn where clusters of guests stood chatting. It was a perfect June day, and no one seemed in a hurry to disperse. She spied Aunt Lori and Michael, who had gotten married only two weeks ago, chatting animatedly with Levi and Grace. And Joseph’s other brothers, roughhousing as usual. And even Madison, wearing a pretty pink dress and helping old Mrs. Talbot to a bench.

  “And now look at each other,” the photographer said as she came over to adjust the train of Ava’s wedding dress.

  “Gladly,” Joseph murmured, and Ava turned to find that his smile matched her own. He tucked the piece of hair that had fallen out of her updo behind her ear, then rested a hand on her bare shoulder. “My beautiful bride.”

  He’d said it a million times already today, but Ava found she wasn’t tired of it yet. Maybe she never would be.

  “Um, did you want to turn so your other side is to the camera?” the photographer asked tentatively. Ava had originally told her to get mostly shots of her right side today. She hadn’t wanted anything to mar her wedding pictures. Joseph had given her a look when she’d asked but hadn’t said anything, for which she was grateful.

  But now that today was here, now that she was at her wedding with her wonderful bridegroom who she knew would love her no matter what, she didn’t want to hide who she was anymore.

  “No,” she said. “I’m good like this.”

  “Yes you are.” Joseph lifted a hand to her cheek and lowered his lips to hers as the camera clicked again.

  “It should be illegal to be this happy.” Ava was still smiling as they got out of the car at Joseph’s daddy’s―it made her heart glow to think of him as her daddy too now―the next day after church. She and Joseph were leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow, but first they’d wanted to spend one more day with family.

  Family. The word slipped through her, bringing a glow of joy. She’d never felt like she’d missed out on having a family―Lori had always been there for her, and the Calvanos had felt like family for years already.

  But now they really were family, officially.

  She and Joseph made their way to the backyard, where Pastor Calvano―Daddy―was hard at work over the grill while his children were in various states of conversation or roughhousing.

  But the moment they spotted Ava and Joseph, they all started clapping. Zeb was the first to approach them. He held out a hand to shake Joseph’s and pulled Ava into a quick hug, saying, “I’m happy for both of you.” The rest of the family was close behind with their hugs and congratulations.

  When the last one had let them go, Joseph swept an arm under Ava’s legs and picked her up, the same way he’d carried her over the threshold of his house―their house―last night. Ava shrieked at being suddenly swept off her feet, but Joseph silenced her with a kiss that made everyone clap again.

  Ava was laughing and breathless and oh so happy as Joseph set her back on her feet.

  “Food’s ready,” Daddy called, sounding as happy as Ava felt.

  “Before y’all eat,” Grace called out. “I have some news.”

  They all waited as she sucked in an audible breath. “I think I found her. Lydia. Our half-sister.”

  A hundred questions flew through the air at once but were quickly silenced by Levi’s wolf whistle.

  “Thank you.” Grace smiled at her husband, then continued. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to try to contact her, and if it’s okay with y’all, I’m going to see if she’d be willing to come here to visit. Levi and I will extend our stay, if so.”

  Grace’s gaze scanned the group, pausing on Zeb, who nodded once. Ava let out a breath, glad that her new brothers and sisters seemed to all be on the same page about this.

  As the chatter started up again, Ava turned to Joseph. “We should stay too.”

  Her new husband gaped at her. “Our honeymoon―”

  “Will wait.” She kissed him. “This is more important. Family is more important.”

  “Okay.” He pulled her to him and kissed her long and slow. “But we’re going to take that honeymoon someday soon.”

  “I promise.” Ava rested her head on his chest, savoring this first piece of their forever.

  Thanks for reading PIECES OF FOREVER! I hope you loved Joseph and Ava’s story! Be sure to grab the next book in the River Falls series, SONGS OF HOME, to find out what happens with the Calvanos’ long-lost half-sister, Lydia!

  Can God turn the worst day of her life into the best thing that has ever happened to her?

  In the wake of a very public―and very scandalous―breakup, country music star Lydia St. Peter finds herself in need of a place of refuge. She doesn’t know why she thinks she’ll find it with the family she never knew she had in River Falls, Tennessee, but at least the small town will offer her the privacy she so desperately craves. She never expects it to offer more―in the form of her new landlord, Liam, and his troubled teenage daughter.

  When single dad Liam returns to his hometown of River Falls, it’s with the intention of taking care of his mother and protecting his daughter from the bad influences that have led her astray. He knows his own happiest years are behind him. They died with his wife. What he doesn’t see coming is the instant connection with the new tenant staying in his mother’s carriage house.

  As Lydia feels the pull of family and Liam allows himself to open to the possibility of love again, a new relationship starts to blossom. But when Lydia is presented with an opportunity that could rocket her to household-name status, she has to decide whether she’s willing give up everything she’s gained in River Falls to chase her dreams―or if her heart has finally found its home.

  And to join Grace and Levi and their friends in Hope Springs, don’t miss my HOPE SPRINGS series! Where friends become family, faith heals hearts, and love lasts forever.

  Also be sure to sign up for my newsletter, where we chat about life, faith, and of course books! You’ll also get a free book, available exclusively to subscribers. Sign up here!

  If you enjoyed PIECES OF FOREVER, would you let other readers know by posting a short review? Your review is a blessing to me as it helps other readers find the book. And it lets me know what you love and want to see more of. Thanks so much!

  Read on for an excerpt of Lydia and Liam’s story…

  A preview of SONGS OF HOME

  10 months earlier

  “I’ll make you proud,” Lydia whispered to the empty outdoor amphitheater, just as she did from every stage before every performance, though her parents were no longer around to hear the words. The old fear that this would be the time she didn’t live up to their legacy gripped her around the gut, and she tried to ignore it. But it was harder today than usual. Maybe because it was her birthday? And for the first time in forty years
, her parents wouldn’t call to say they loved her.

  Lydia peeled a sticky lock of hair off her neck―the Nashville humidity was brutal today, just as she’d warned Dallas it would be when he’d scheduled this tour stop. She supposed she should be grateful―at least she’d get to sleep in her own bed tonight. With a muttered, “happy birthday” to herself, she made her way backstage, trying to shake off the unsuitable melancholy. It was her birthday, she was on the first leg of what looked like it was going to be a massively successful national tour―one that could launch her and Dallas to the levels of fame Mama and Daddy had achieved―and she had an amazing boyfriend to boot.

  A boyfriend she hadn’t seen since their sound check a few hours ago.

  Maybe he was preparing a surprise for her. A tingle went up her spine. Maybe the surprise would be a ring.

  She pushed the thought away. Just because they’d been dating for a few years didn’t mean Dallas had to propose. He would do it when he was ready―and she wouldn’t pressure him. Though he had been acting different lately―kind of nervous. And he’d said something about things changing the other day that had made her think that . . . maybe.

  She shook off the hope.

  At any rate, there wouldn’t be time for him to do it before the concert―she still had her hair and makeup to do, not to mention squeezing herself into the silver dress Cheyenne had insisted would be perfect for tonight’s concert. Lydia cringed just imagining trying to pull it on. She loved that her best friend was also her backup vocalist and guitarist, but maybe she should cut her from the role of fashion adviser.

  What if he did it on stage? The question filtered through her thoughts. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, which suddenly felt too warm.

  Stop it. You don’t even know he’s going to do it at all.

  But she knew who probably did know: Cheyenne. Somehow, the woman was the first to know everything.

  She pushed the dressing room door open, determined to find out what her best friend knew. “Hey Chey, do you think―”

  Her words got caught in her chest as she grabbed for the door frame to keep the wave of dizziness from knocking her to the ground.

  She couldn’t make sense of what she was seeing.

  A woman with a blonde braid hanging to her waist. A man with a shaggy mop of dark hair.

  Their lips pressed together, arms locked around each other.

  Kissing.

  “Dall― Chey― What are you― I don’t―” She had to stop to gasp for air. Who had sucked all the oxygen out of the room?

  Cheyenne jumped back from Dallas with a slight shriek. His reaction was less pronounced, a calm turn and a grimace.

  “I don’t― What are―” Lydia tried again, her head swiveling back and forth between them as if that would change the image in front of her.

  “Lydia―” Cheyenne’s hands were on her lips, as if she could hide the evidence of what she’d been doing. “This isn’t what it looks like.” But the guilt in her best friend’s eyes didn’t lie.

  “Actually―” Dallas stepped forward. “It is. I’m sorry, Lydia. I wanted to wait until after the concert. But maybe it’s best if you know now. Cheyenne and I are . . .” He looked at Cheyenne, and Lydia could already tell.

  “In love,” she filled in dully. How, oh how, had she not seen it before? All those nights she’d gone to bed early and they’d stayed up to “work on songs.” All those tour stops where she went for a walk alone, only to get back to the bus and find the two of them gone. All the time Cheyenne spent gushing to her about how great Dallas was.

  “This doesn’t change anything, Lydia.” Cheyenne reached for her, but Lydia took a step backward.

  Didn’t change anything?

  It blew up her whole life.

  Again.

  The only two people she had left in the whole world were telling her that they had chosen each other over her.

  “I know this isn’t ideal.” Dallas took a step toward her, and she snorted. Not ideal was having a show on her birthday. Not ideal was squeezing into a dress she could barely breathe in. Not ideal was the humidity that would slick her in sweat the moment she stepped onto the stage.

  But this?

  This was way beyond not ideal.

  “But,” Dallas continued. “We have appearances to keep up here. This isn’t the time to fall apart.”

  Lydia blinked at him. “Who’s falling apart?” She steeled her spine, same way she had for every show since Mama and Daddy’s deaths. She shoved down the urge to run out of the amphitheater and never look back. That wasn’t an option.

  Instead, she kept her shoulders stiff, lifted her head higher, and skirted around Dallas and Cheyenne to grab her dress and makeup bag. Then, without a word, she made her way back into the hall and down to the ladies’ room. For tonight, this would be her dressing room.

  By the time she’d gotten ready, an appealing numbness had settled over her. As long as she didn’t have to see Dallas and Cheyenne, didn’t have to talk to them, she could put herself in a little bubble and pretend none of what had just happened was real. At least until the concert was over.

  But the moment she emerged from the bathroom, Cheyenne pounced at her. “Lydia, I really think―”

  Lydia lifted a hand, marching past her former friend without saying a word. To her credit, Cheyenne fell silent, though Lydia could feel her at her heels the whole way down the hall.

  Dallas was already standing in the wings when she reached the stage. Lydia sensed his eyes on her, but she refused to acknowledge him.

  “Don’t forget,” he said in an undertone. “These people came here to see us. As far as they know, we’re supposed to be in love.”

  “Yeah.” Lydia swallowed. “We’re supposed to be.”

  And then the opening band finished its set, and she and Dallas and Cheyenne were striding onto the stage and singing their opening number, a high-energy song that was an homage to country music.

  Though the choreography called for her to be near Dallas for most of the song―and to stand next to Cheyenne for a short duet―she made up her own movements, letting herself get caught up in the rhythm of the song and stepping to the front of the stage to touch fans’ hands, something she usually avoided. Lights flashed brightly across the stage, creating effects that dazzled her, and she let herself get sucked into the magic that was the show.

  She could get through this.

  And she almost did.

  But as the lights lowered and the music slowed for the final set of the evening, Dallas moved to her side, sliding an arm behind her back, just as the choreography called for him to do.

  Lydia attempted to slip away, but his grip tightened and he leaned over to whisper in her ear, “Personal problems aside, you know that.”

  Lydia swallowed. She did know that. They’d agreed to it the moment their relationship had crossed the line from musical partners to dating, and they’d performed through fights before, with the crowd never the wiser. In fact, on plenty of occasions, by the time they’d gotten off the stage, they’d completely forgotten what they’d been fighting about.

  Lydia tensed as Dallas’s deep baritone with its light twang carried the first notes of the song:

  Once upon a time, I promised you forever,

  But darling, I didn’t mean what I said

  Because forever would never be enough

  To show you every ounce of my love

  So darling, let me make a new promise to you:

  Forever plus one.

  She could feel his eyes on her, feel the sigh of the crowd, feel the light wisp of wind on her sweaty back.

  She forced herself to turn her head toward Dallas like she was supposed to and drew in a shaky breath. But when she opened her mouth to begin her verse, her crystal clear alto broke on the first note, quickly followed by a painfully loud sob.

  Slapping a hand to her mouth to hold the rest of her cries back, she chucked her microphone, noting with a detached sort of satisfaction tha
t Dallas had to step aside to avoid getting hit. She spun on the heels of her cowboy boots and sprinted for the wings, humiliation hot on her heels and quickly overtaking her.

  In the distance, she heard Cheyenne’s voice take up the verse she’d failed to sing, and it hit her―the song had probably been meant for Cheyenne all along.

  A fresh wave of desperation and adrenaline drove her through the hallways, past the dressing room, and toward the exit.

  The River Falls Series

  While the books in the River Falls series are linked, each is a complete romance featuring a different couple.

  Pieces of Forever (Joseph & Ava)

  Songs of Home (Lydia & Liam)

  The Hope Springs Series

  While the books in the Hope Springs series are linked, each is a complete romance featuring a different couple.

  Not Until Christmas (Ethan & Ariana)

  Not Until Forever (Sophie & Spencer)

  Not Until This Moment (Jared & Peyton)

  Not Until You (Nate & Violet)

  Not Until Us (Dan & Jade)

  Not Until Christmas Morning (Leah & Austin)

  Not Until This Day (Tyler & Isabel)

  Not Until Someday (Grace & Levi)

  Not Until Now (Cam & Kayla)

  And there will be more books in both series! Follow me on Amazon to be the first to know when the next book releases!

  Acknowledgements

  Whether our scars are visible or invisible, I think we all carry some of Ava in us. Some of that fear that we are unworthy and there is no reason for anyone―let alone God―to love us. And yet, God’s message to us is the same as his message to Ava―he loves us even though we are unworthy. He loves us so much that he sent his Son to die for our sins and to make us worthy. For that―and for the awesome privilege of sharing that great good news―I thank him every day.