I pulled her into a hug, and there was nothing quick or stiff about it.
When we pulled back, we both had tears in our eyes. I figured I should just accept that was going to be the theme of the day and roll with it.
I slipped the tiny ring onto my pinkie finger. It fit perfectly.
Lisa squeezed my hand. “I think it’s time for you to get out there. I’m headed back to my seat. See you at the reception.”
I gave her one more quick hug and, as she ducked out, called into the other room. “Showtime, girls. Let’s go!”
We headed out to line up. I saw my dad at the church door and joined him. True to family tradition, it seemed, he was teary-eyed and wiping his eyes periodically with a handkerchief. He just kept repeating, “My little girl. She’s all grown up.”
The music started, and Olive waved at me happily and set off down the aisle. Each of my bridesmaids followed, and then, finally, it was my turn.
Butterflies swam in my belly. Nick hadn’t seen me yet. We were old-fashioned that way. God! What if he changed his mind? What if—
My thoughts were cut off as my father tugged at my arm. We started our slow march down the aisle to the strains of Here Comes the Bride.
My eyes locked with Nick’s. His shone with tears. Oh, good. He’ll fit right into the family.
He pressed a hand to his broad, muscled chest and mouthed, “Beautiful!” and I knew I had nothing to worry about.
When we finally reached the head of the aisle, and my father had given me away, I stepped forward and faced Nick, taking his hands in mine. Olive scampered over to us. We grinned. It wasn’t time for her to join us yet, but she hadn’t been paying too much attention during the rehearsal.
It didn’t matter. We each took one of her hands in ours, and we stood there, the three of us at the altar, holding hands and forming a circle.
“Now we’re a family,” Olive whispered.
“We sure are, baby,” Nick whispered back, and then raised his eyes to meet mine. “I love you, Evelyn. You two are my everything.”
“I love you, too. Both of you. More than anything in the world,” I added my whispered contribution.
The pastor started the ceremony then, but it didn’t matter what he said. Not really. Those had been our real vows. And they were forever.
THE END
Someday Series
Someday…
For Cat Nichols, someday was finally here. Going away to college meant a fresh, new start for the girl who lived locked away in a prison of insecurities. She was ready to experience new things and meet new people. But she wasn’t ready for him…
Jace Butler had encountered things no one person should have to endure. Trying to come to terms with his past, while living in the present, was a constant struggle for the man whose demons lie dormant beneath the skin of his rippling body and sexy smile. But when Cat walked into his world, his chance for a better life, came with her…
After finding each other, Cat and Jace realize that both their past and present issues were trying to ruin their chance for a better future. Issues that will have to be dealt with – once and for all – together… or apart.
Note: The first three books are a trilogy and intended to be read in the following order:
Someday Girl (Book 1)
One Day His (Book 2)
Forever Us (Book 3)
Someday Series Continues with:
Chasing Perfect (Book 4)
They’d been best friends since elementary school, knew each other’s secrets, and supported each other in times of need…Sandy Cooper and Hunter Blakely were there for each other no matter what…until one epic graduation night changed everything…
For Sandy, her sexy best friend knew too much of the life she wanted to get away from. She wanted to start fresh but also keep the one constant in her life; his unwavering friendship and support. And she was willing to push her growing feelings for him down in order to protect their special friendship.
Hunter always knew that the gorgeous blonde was all he wanted, and even though her rejection hurt, he was willing to do whatever it took to prove to her that they belonged together in every way.
When it comes to Chasing Perfect, sometimes you don’t have to travel very far.
Embracing Reckless
Embracing Reckless (Book 5)
“I’ve had his address and phone number all this time. I kept track of him.”
Those were the words my mother had said as she handed me the piece of paper that would change my life forever. The one that held my father’s name and address—the same father I’d always been told had died when I was a baby.
Even though my entire life until now, I’ve survived by being tightly-focused and in control, as soon as I learned my father was alive, I made a snap decision. I knew there was only one thing I could do: climb in the car and drive to meet him. The world’s most high-stakes road trip!
What I didn’t know at the time was that things wouldn’t go as planned. My car would break down. Then, the sexiest man I’d ever seen would pull his motorcycle over to rescue me, and I’d be captivated by his eyes and his shoulders, by his strength and calm capability…and that’s when the real adventure would begin.
I’ve survived up until now by insisting on stability, but surviving’s not enough for me anymore. With everything on the line, can I learn to truly live by Embracing Reckless?
Book Boyfriend
Book Boyfriend (Book 6)
Michelle Mitchell isn’t the kind of girl you’d expect the most popular guy on campus to like. She has blue hair and favors ripped jeans to mini-skirts and Doc Martens to heels. Of course, Sebastian Winters isn’t the type of guy you’d expect her to go for, either. Her taste tends to run more “bass player” than “baseball player.”
But things are about to get very unexpected…when an intelligent, artistic, outspoken alt girl meets a sweet, sexy, southern charmer, watch the sparks fly!
Other Series by Melanie Shawn
Crossroads
Each Crossroads romance is a stand-alone with HEA and plenty of heat along the way
1. My First – Jason & Katie
2. My Last – Riley & Chelle
3. My Only – Alex & Jamie
4. My Everything – Seth & Amber
5. Tempting Love – Haley & Eddie
6. Crazy Love – Krista & Chase
7. Actually Love – Jesse & Zach
8. Fairytale Love – Becca & Brian
Novella: My Love – Bobby & Sophie
9. All He Wants – Billy & Maxi
10. All He Needs – Ace & Stephanie
11. All He Feels – Dax & Ginny
12. All He Desires – Nate & Eliza
13. Just One Night – Josh & Bailey
14. Just One Kiss – Bea & CJ
Wishing Well
Each Wishing Well romance is a stand-alone with HEA and plenty of heat along the way
1. Teasing Destiny
2. Convincing Cara
3. Discovering Harmony
4. Taming Travis
5. Claiming Colton
6. Trusting Bryson
7. Seducing Sawyer
8. Unwrapping Jade
Hope Falls
Each Hope Falls romance is a stand-alone with HEA and plenty of heat along the way
1. Sweet Reunion
2. Sweet Harmonies
3. Sweet Victory
4. Home Sweet Home
Novella: One Sweet Day
5. Snow Angel
6. Snow Days
7. Snowed In
8. Let It Snow
9. Perfect Kiss
10. Secret Kiss
11. Magic Kiss
12. Lucky Kiss
Novella: Christmas Wish
13. Fire and Love
14. Fire and Foreplay
15. Fire and Romance
16. Fire and Temptation
Valentine Bay
Each Valentine Bay romance is a stand-alone with HE
A and plenty of heat along the way
1. Protecting My Heart
2. Rescuing His Heart
3. Rocking Her Heart
4. Playing By Heart
Whisper Lake
Each Whisper Lake romance is a stand-alone with HEA and plenty of heat along the way
1. Whisper of Love
2. Whisper of Surrender
3. Whisper of Attraction
4. Whisper of Temptation
Steamy Weekends
Each Steamy Weekends romance is a stand-alone with HEA and plenty of heat along the way
1. Charming Cupid
2. Seducing Cinderella
About the Author
Melanie Shawn is the writing team of sister duo Melanie and Shawna. Originally from Northern California, they both migrated south and now call So Cal their home.
Growing up, Melanie constantly had her head in a book and was always working on short stories, manuscripts, plays and poetry. After graduating magna cum laude from Pepperdine University, she went on to teach grades 2nd through 8th for five years. She now spends her days writing and taking care of her furry baby, a Lhasa Apso named Hercules. In her free time, her favorite activity is to curl up on the couch with that stubborn, funny mutt and binge-watch cable TV shows on DVD (preferably of at least eight seasons in length – a girl’s gotta have her standards!).
Shawna always loved romance in any form – movie, song or literary. If it was a love story with a happy ending, Shawna was all about it! She proudly acknowledges that she is a romanceaholic. Her days are jam-packed with writing, being a wife, mom aka referee of two teens, and indulging in her second passion (dance!) as a Zumba instructor. In the little free time she has, she joins Melanie in marathon-watching DVDs of their favorite TV programs.
They have joined forces to create a world where True Love and Happily Ever After always has a Sexy Twist!
You can keep up with all the latest Melanie Shawn news, including new releases and contests, at:
melanieshawn.com
and
facebook.com/melanieshawnbooks
Meet Cute Page 14
