by Weiss, Sonya
Strike two.
His hands gripped the sides of the seat until they turned white. He lifted his head and his gaze met hers. He swallowed hard.
“I’m in love with you.” He swung again.
“What?”
She stared at him and his heart was running hell-bent for leather, hoping to slide into home plate. “I said I’m in love with you.”
“Oh, Chad.” Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. “I love you, too.” She moved toward him, tears springing to her eyes.
Slide, slide, slide!
Chad gathered her into his arms.
Home safe!
He took a deep breath, holding her against him, never wanting to let go. So this was what heaven felt like.
He pressed kisses to her cheeks, her forehead, and her nose. “Forgive me for what I said, Ame. I was a complete idiot. I knew in my heart that you’d never intentionally hurt me.” He cupped her face in his hands.
“I’m afraid,” Amelia whispered when his lips brushed hers lightly.
He pulled back, staring at her in astonishment. “You? Miss Risk Taker? What are you afraid of?”
“This. Us.” She traced a path across the buttons on his shirt. “What if you’re right? What if—”
“No.” He kissed her again. “I couldn’t have been more wrong. Love isn’t something to avoid, it’s something to embrace, and the man who falls into it should count himself very lucky. These weeks apart from you have been the most miserable ones I’ve ever lived through.”
Keeping his arms around her waist, he lowered himself to one knee. “Amelia, my best friend, the woman who defines my world, will you marry me? Will you be my wife, my lover, and the mother of my children?”
Amelia dashed away a tear. “Yes, oh yes!”
Chad kissed her again, passionately, losing track of all reason and time until she pulled away and said, “I don’t want to wait any longer. Let’s go home and begin this life together.”
Chapter Seventeen
Two days later, a bright and sunny Saturday in June, Amelia waited with her sisters and Noah in a small room at the back of the little white church where her grandparents had married.
She didn’t feel any butterflies in her stomach this time.
Now here it was, finally ready to begin, the first day of her forever with Chad.
“You look beautiful,” Ann said, admiring Amelia’s wedding gown.
“Hold still.” Abby fussed over the veil that had been their grandmother’s, arranging it one more time.
“Will you stop?” Amelia laughed. “You’ve been fidgeting ever since we arrived.”
“That’s because she knows she’s next,” Noah said with a wink and a nudge.
Abby clicked her tongue. “You can stop that kind of thinking right in its tracks, Grandfather. I’ve been there, done that, and while I’m happy for Amelia and Chad, I have no intention of ever walking down the aisle a second time.”
When a knock sounded on the door, Abby twisted the handle and pushed the door open.
“I believe I’m to escort you down the aisle?” a familiar voice said. Nick stood framed in the doorway, an innocent expression on his face.
“No,” Abby said with a frown marring her face, “Eric is escorting me down the aisle.”
“Noah changed the arrangement,” Nick said, offering Abby his arm.
“Big mouth,” Noah muttered.
Abby gave him a murderous glance, then stiffly accepted Nick’s arm and allowed him to lead her from the room.
“So I guess I’m escorting you?” Eric said.
Ann accepted Eric’s arm. “This is my lucky day.” With a wink, she allowed Eric to lead her out.
Amelia exhaled slowly.
Almost there. In mere moments, she would be Chad’s wife, and she couldn’t think of anything that sounded more amazing.
The first poignant notes of the wedding march began and Noah steered Amelia to the door, tears springing to his eyes. “With your sunny disposition, you remind me so much of your grandmother. She was a lot like you, you know.”
“Thanks, Granddaddy.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You ready to do this?”
“Been ready, honey. This day’s been a long time coming.”
As they entered the rear of the church, Amelia couldn’t speak past the emotions clogging her throat. White roses were grouped at the ends of the pews and decorated with flowing white ribbons. In one corner the piano played softly, but Amelia didn’t have eyes for any of the decorations.
Chad waited for her at the altar. His blue eyes, as limitless as the Atlantic Ocean, were filled with a love as vast.
She floated down the aisle, barely registering when her grandfather lifted her veil, pressed a kiss to her cheek, and joined her hand with Chad’s.
The minister began speaking and Henry stood up. “Excuse me, but you are a real minister, aren’t you?”
The minister’s eyebrows raised. “Yes, I am.”
“Good. Just checking. Er…carry on.” Henry settled himself again and gave Chad a sheepish grin.
The minister shook his head and then picked up where he’d left off.
His words filled the air around Amelia, but she could see only Chad, hear only his heart as it joined with hers.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Chad bent his head and just before he pressed his lips to hers, he whispered, “I’m going to like our plan C.”
The minister smiled after they ended the kiss and said, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Chad Walker.”
The crowd cheered and Chad and Amelia walked down the aisle out into the sunlight where a limousine waited. Stopping on the front steps, he kissed her and said, “Today I feel like the richest man in the world.” He smiled down at her and gently wiped away the tears glimmering at the edge of her eyes.
“Good. We’ll need those riches to go on all of the adventures I have planned,” Amelia said.
He smiled that slow, sexy smile of his. “No skydiving.”
Grinning up at him she said, “Deal.”
Leaning close so that his lips grazed her neck, he whispered, “Falling for you was adventure enough.”
Their laughter echoed through the crowd as they climbed into the car and drove away.
* * *
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Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge the following people for their impact on my life:
Toni, my wonderful sister. I admire and love you deeply. I could never measure all the ways you’ve touched my life.
All the writers who constantly share their knowledge with others. Your help is appreciated.
Audrey Higgans, great poet, great writer, great friend who pulled an all night editing session and was still sane the next day.
Marry Wing, my lifelong friend who knows how to laugh and love. From the early years to college and back, your friendship has been amazing.
Judy Maurice-Steigert for the long talks, the coffee, and the joy you radiate.
Nicole Resciniti, agent extraordinaire, who works so hard on behalf of her clients. You are truly one of a kind.
Marisa Cleveland, for the chance. I will never forget that.
The gang at Seymour Agency for all their hard behind-the-scenes work.
Finally, Shannon Godwin. You have the ability to work wonders. I am amazed by your talent. Thank you!
About the Author
Sonya Weiss is a freelance writer and ghostwriter. Her writing began in grade school when she would write on any scrap of available paper. She loves creating stories where happily ever after is just the beginning.
www.sonyaweiss.com
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Find your Bli
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His partner didn’t hurt matters, either. Paired with the beautiful maid of honor, he gave silent thanks for his new role as best man. If he’d had to watch Sela dance with someone else, he might have gone insane.
A disconcerting thought he decided not to examine too closely.
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Luke peeked at Sela out of the corner of his eye. The slight imperfections in her profile made it the most fascinating he’d seen. With his photographer’s eye he imagined shooting her face from different angles and in different lighting and had a feeling every single one would spark beauty to a thousand different beholders. She might be a girl from his hometown, but there was something about her that was worldly.
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She fell for the nice guy, but will she fall for the real guy?
There wasn’t much eye contact with the tango, but Ellie couldn’t stop herself from peeking up at Hunter, expecting to find him all clench-jawed. But he was peering down at her, that anti–Fred Astaire gaze that made her core tighten, then burst into spasms.
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Slow-slow-quick-quick-slow went her heart.
“Damn, I love the tango,” he whispered, tickling her ear.
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