by Diana Tobin
Dani served as Mike’s maid-of-honor, with Charley as her only bridesmaid, both in pale peach dresses. Web was Ethan’s best man. Noah insisted he marry Charley, so in the end, he was allowed to stand next to his father during the ceremony.
Mike’s dress was an off-the-shoulder confection with layers of skirt to mid-calf in a deeper peach tone than the dresses worn by Dani and Charley. The dress spoke to her of spring and new beginnings. Underneath, as a surprise for Ethan, was the pale blue satin corset and panties.
Bruce Johnson came up from Norwich and offered to play chauffeur for the newlyweds on their wedding day. Eileen and Robert Reigh came from Georgia. The Yablonskis attended, making the day nearly a repeat of Thanksgiving. The five young men who had lived with Ethan during hockey season arrived unannounced, pleasing both bride and groom.
The vows Mike exchanged with Ethan were heartfelt. They had talked of writing their own, but in the end, she decided the traditional vows worked well for her. They exchanged matching wedding bands and Mike held out her hand, admiring both her rings after Ethan slipped her engagement ring from her right hand to her left. He’d gone with a heart-shaped blue Topaz, to match her eyes, surrounded by diamonds.
Best of all was the kiss they shared after their vows. Ethan had cupped his bride’s face, poured his heart into the kiss, and murmured against her lips, “I love you.”
When the ceremony was complete, and the goodbyes were said, Ethan escorted Mike up to the waiting car.
Bruce held the door open for the newlyweds. Before Mike could slide in, Bruce wrapped his arms around her and gave her a quick kiss. “Be happy, Micki.”
She patted his beard-covered cheek. “Definitely.”
Bruce waited for Ethan to join his wife in the car before shutting the door and hurrying to the driver’s side.
Mike snuggled into Ethan’s arms. “Tell me again.”
“Tell you what, darlin’? How much I love you. How much I cherish you?” He ran a finger along the top of her dress, the heat of his touch scorching her skin. “How I can’t wait to see what you have under this beautiful dress?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. That’s a good start.” She smiled and kissed him, thrilled at what her new life held for her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My first job was at a hotel in southern California where I grew up—not Eloise style. Over the years, I’ve provided daycare, worked as a cake decorator, been a farmer, and retired from 30 years of banking. These days I spend my time writing, gardening, scrapbooking, and spending every possible moment with my beloved grandchildren. One of my best vacations was taking them to Disneyland for the first time.
With family members spread across the country, and overseas, I was born in Maine, grew up near Los Angeles, and have made the Rogue Valley of Oregon my home for the past 34 years.
Half my life has been involved with writing; the study and practice of it, plus being part of local and national organizations. A lifelong love of reading has filled my bookshelves to overflowing. There is nothing like entering another world, another place, and meeting new people through the pages of a book.
KISSING COUSINS BY DIANA TOBIN
Augusta Thompson has lost everything—her parents, her husband, her home…and now, her only child. Then, a legal notice arrives asking her to travel across the country to claim an inheritance from an unknown relative—a grandmother she never knew she had. There’s only one catch: she must share her grandmother’s beautiful old home with handsome Olympic contender Charles “Web” Webster—the only other person named in the inheritance—for one year. Web finds it difficult to believe Augusta never knew about her family in Maine, the family Augusta’s mother turned her back on. As time goes by, he realizes Augusta was mentally and emotionally abused by her ex-husband, and her heart and soul are wounded. Can Augusta learn to trust in others once more and make a new life for herself? Can Web’s love for Augusta heal her broken heart and allow them a future together? Will the conditions of the inheritance prove to be a help or hindrance for these KISSING COUSINS?
