by Stacy M Wray
There was a reception afterwards but I make my way through the crowd to find my wife. She sees me coming and meets me halfway. Throwing her arms around my neck, she kisses my passionately and I return the sentiment. “You were great, baby, and you look so handsome in this tie.”
“Thanks, baby. There’s a reception but I don’t know if anyone is interested in going. We could have our own reception back at the house if you want.”
“That’s a good idea. We’ll let them know,” she says.
“Let them know what?” Luke asks, patting me on the back.
I turn to my brother, who’s just approached us. I notice the glitter on his shirt collar, a sure sign he’s been holding Lilly, and can’t contain my smile. “We want everyone to stop by the house for an impromptu gathering,” I tell him.
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to count me out. By the way, you were great up there,” he tells me.
“Wait. Why can’t you come?” I ask him.
“Well, you see, it’s my ten-year class reunion this evening and I decided I should go. I’m going to need to head back pretty soon,” he informs us, giving Addie a wink. I have a feeling she’s already known about this.
Addie’s eyes get big. “So you decided to go after all. I don’t think you’ll regret it,” she says to Luke.
I give her a knowing smile and take her in my arms.
“Don’t ever underestimate the importance of class reunions, Luke,” I tell him, “they can literally change your life.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It’s hard to believe that I’m writing acknowledgments for my second book. I never in a million years would have guessed that I would love doing this so much. I write in my spare time after my ‘real job’ and most of my weekends, and it’s hard to get me to stop and do life - I enjoy it that much.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me by purchasing and reading “The Girl from the Kitchen Store,” as well as “Unclaimed Regrets.” You never know how well your book will be received, but it sure helps to plow through and write another one when you receive the encouragement from those around you. So thank you for that.
Thank you to my beta readers: Pat, Lisa, Shelly W., and Rita. I’m always so anxious to hear your thoughts and reactions. Also, thank you to Shelley H. for helping me edit and find all of those pesky typos. I’m hoping to send another one your way very soon. Also, thank you to my beta readers from goodreads.com – Alyssa, Kaveshni, Michelle, Erin and Tera. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read my story and giving me feedback.
I personally want to thank SD Hendrickson, author of The Mason List, for answering so many of my questions and guiding me in the right direction for this book release. I was flapping in the wind with my first one and she graciously gave me so much information. I want her to know how much I appreciate it.
Finally, thank you to my awesome family – your support means the world. I especially want to thank my husband who puts up with eating sandwiches for dinner and endures my not moving from my writing spot for entire weekends at a time; I know you get so bored but understand fully how much I love to do this.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stacy Wray was born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana. She attended Ball State University and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting.
Unclaimed Regrets is her second novel, preceded by The Girl from the Kitchen Store. Her two children are full-grown and she enjoys reading, re-modeling her home room-by-room and hanging with family.
She continues to live in Kokomo with her husband and four cats and currently works in the family business.
Visit at www.stacymwray.com
Email at [email protected]
Facebook at facebook.com/authorstacymwray
