“Gabe helped me find it. If he ever wants to change careers, he could be a fashion consultant.”
Gabe shook his head. “I enjoyed shopping with you, but I’ll stick to writing. There are only so many fashion boutiques I can visit before I start hyperventilating.”
“The trick is to pace yourself. A little shopping, a little coffee. We did well today.” Kathleen smiled as Lorenzo joined them. “It’s good to see you again, Lorenzo.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Kathleen. You are as beautiful as ever.” He turned to Gabe. “And this must be the man who has stolen my Natalie’s heart. Welcome to the Ricci Gallery.”
Natalie’s face felt as though it was on fire. If a hole had opened up in the floor, she would have gladly jumped inside.
“It’s good to be here.” Gabe shook Lorenzo’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about your gallery.”
“We try to be the best we can be. Perhaps I could show you some of Natalie’s paintings?”
Natalie glanced at her mom, before holding onto Gabe’s arm. “I can show Gabe around. He hasn’t seen the second painting I finished in Sapphire Bay.”
Lorenzo’s eyebrows rose.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Kathleen smiled at Lorenzo. “Is Alina here tonight?”
Lorenzo studied Gabe for a moment longer, before smiling at Kathleen. “My wife is indeed here. Come. We will find her together. Then later, I will speak with Gabe.”
Natalie breathed a sigh of relief. After her mom left with Lorenzo, she squeezed her feet into her high heels, feeling more nervous by the minute. “There’s a reason I wear sneakers all the time.”
“You could have worn them tonight. No one would have minded.”
Natalie held the skirt of her blue satin gown away from her legs. “They wouldn’t go with my dress.” Gabe held her hand. The smile he sent her melted her heart.
“Everyone would think you’re an eccentric artist.”
“I might have to try it one day.” She bit her bottom lip. “Are you ready to see my painting?”
He nodded and waited for her to lead the way. “A lot of people are admiring the landscape you painted of Sapphire Bay.”
Natalie deliberately chose to walk around the edge of the room. “It was one of the first to sell.” She’d given her mom strict instructions to keep Gabe away from the wall behind the fountain. If they’d gone anywhere near the portrait, her surprise would be ruined.
As they walked around the gallery, Natalie’s heart pounded. The people who had already seen Gabe’s portrait were openly staring at him. Everyone else simply smiled.
She stopped before Gabe caught a glimpse of the canvas. “I wanted to make something for you, to thank you for being such a special part of my life. The painting you’re about to see is my gift to you and Sherlock.”
Gabe’s eyes widened. “I can’t accept one of your paintings. They’re too valuable.”
“Nothing will ever be as precious as what you taught me. I realized I’m more than a decision I made, stronger and braver than I thought I could be, and I love you more than I ever thought was possible.”
Gabe wrapped her in a hug. “I love you, too. But you don’t need to give me a painting.”
“Look at it first, then tell me what you think.”
“It will be amazing, but okay. I would love to see it.”
She took a deep breath and placed his arm under her elbow. “Close your eyes. We’re going to take a few steps forward. Are you ready?”
Gabe nodded and stepped forward with her. “This reminds me of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”
Despite her nerves, Natalie smiled. “I wouldn’t recommend using any pins around my paintings. Lorenzo would have you arrested.” She stopped in front of the portrait and sighed. “Okay. You can open your eyes now.”
She watched Gabe’s reaction, trying to work out whether he liked the painting.
His eyes widened. His shocked gaze traveled the height and width of the canvas. It was big—one of the biggest portraits she would ever consider painting. But somehow, the size added to the essence of what she wanted to achieve.
“It’s incredible.” Gabe’s softly spoken words made her blush. He moved closer, studying each intricate detail. “I can’t believe you finished this so quickly.”
“I started it a couple of days after I arrived in Sapphire Bay. When I saw you by the lake with Sherlock, I knew this was what I wanted to paint.”
In the portrait, Gabe stood by the shore with his arm behind him, ready to skim a stone across the water. Sherlock was in front of him, his eyes locked on Gabe’s, waiting for the moment the stone flew through the air.
“You included the whistle.”
She nodded and looked at the painting. Around Gabe’s neck was the small wooden whistle that had helped save her life. “I wanted you to remember that the smallest things can have a profound effect on someone’s life.”
When he looked at Natalie, there were tears in his eyes. “I love it.”
“Enough to take it home with you?” Natalie held her breath, waiting for his reply.
“Enough to take it home with us.” He wiped his eyes and smiled. “This isn’t how I’d planned tonight, but it’s the right time.” With trembling hands, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a black velvet box.
Natalie’s mouth dropped open. Then tears filled her eyes.
Gabe held her hand and knelt in front of her. “I love you, Natalie. I can’t imagine my life without you. I want us to be a family, to have children and grow old together. I want to be beside you in good times and bad, and for you to know that you’ll always be the most important person in my life. Will you marry me?”
He opened the box and Natalie started shaking. “It’s grandma’s engagement ring.”
“When I asked your mom if I had her blessing, she offered me your grandma’s ring. If you’d like a new one we can—”
Natalie leaned forward and kissed Gabe. “No. It is perfect.”
He stood and held her hands. “Does this mean you’ll marry me?”
She looked into his eyes. This was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. The man who would be her soft place to fall. “Yes, I will marry you.”
A loud cheer filled the gallery.
Natalie looked over her shoulder and smiled at the people watching them. She grinned at her mom and Lorenzo, then hugged Gabe tight. “I love you.”
He lifted her off her feet and swung her in a circle. “I love you, too.”
THE END
Thank you
Thank you for reading Falling For You. I hope you enjoyed it! If you did…
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Keep reading for a sneak peak of Once In A Lifetime, Caleb and Samantha’s story. You can pre-order your copy today!
To be published in October, 2018
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
If you enjoyed meeting Caleb Andrews in Falling For You, you’re going to love his story in Once In A Lifetime!
Samantha Jones works at Fletcher Security, developing state-of-the-art surveillance drones, hacking computer networks, and making life difficult for anyone on the wrong side of the law.
When she's asked to help Caleb Andrews complete a top-secret project, her IT skills aren't the only thing that will be tested to the limit. Someone wants Caleb dead and Sam is the only person who can protect him.
Once In A Lifetime is the second book in the Sapphire Bay series and can easily be read as a standalone. Each of Leeanna's series are linked so you can find out what happens to your favorite characters in other books. Happy reading!
To be published in October, 2018
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
Enjoy Other Novels By L
eeanna Morgan
Montana Brides:
Book 1: Forever Dreams (Gracie and Trent)
Book 2: Forever in Love (Amy and Nathan)
Book 3: Forever After (Nicky and Sam)
Book 4: Forever Wishes (Erin and Jake)
Book 5: Forever Santa (A Montana Brides Christmas Novella)
Book 6: Forever Cowboy (Emily and Alex)
Book 7: Forever Together (Kate and Dan)
Book 8: Forever and a Day (Sarah and Jordan)
The Bridesmaids Club:
Book 1: All of Me (Tess and Logan)
Book 2: Loving You (Annie and Dylan)
Book 3: Head Over Heels (Sally and Todd)
Book 4: Sweet on You (Molly and Jacob)
Emerald Lake Billionaires:
Book 1: Sealed with a Kiss (Rachel and John)
Book 2: Playing for Keeps (Sophie and Ryan)
Book 3: Crazy Love (Holly and Daniel)
Book 4: One And Only (Elizabeth and Blake)
The Protectors:
Book 1: Safe Haven (Hayley and Tank)
Book 2: Just Breathe (Kelly and Tanner)
Book 3: Always (Mallory and Grant)
Book 4: The Promise (Ashley and Matthew)
Book 5: Coming Home (Mia and Stan)
Book 6: The Gift (Hannah and Brett)
Book 7: The Wish (Claire and Jason)
Sapphire Bay:
Book 1: Falling For You (Natalie and Gabe)
Book 2: Once In A Lifetime (Sam and Caleb)
Book 3: Before Today (Brooke and Levi)
Book 4: The Sweetest Thing (Cassie and Noah)
Bonus Recipe - Chocolate-Glazed Cherry-Pecan Pie
Enjoy a slice of the pie Gabe won at the Cherry Festival!
Ingredients
2/3 cup dried cherries
3 tablespoons brandy
1 refrigerated pie crust
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups broken pecans
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
In small bowl, mix cherries and brandy. Let stand 15 minutes; do not drain.
Heat oven to 375°F. Place pie crust in 9-inch glass pie plate as directed on package for one-crust filled pie. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, corn syrup, almond extract and eggs with hand beater or wire whisk until well mixed. Stir in cherry mixture and pecans. Pour into crust-lined pie plate.
Bake 30 minutes, covering with foil after 15 minutes if pie is browning too quickly. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Bake 12 to 15 minutes longer or until center is set and surface is deep golden brown. Cool 30 minutes.
In microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and oil uncovered on High 1 minute; stir until smooth. Drizzle chocolate over pie. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Quick Tips
If you don’t have brandy, soak the cherries in a mixture of 1/4 cup water and 1 teaspoon brandy extract.
Store custard-type pies like this in the fridge. But if you want to serve it warm, place slices on individual microwavable plates and microwave on high for about 10 seconds.
For a pretty presentation, top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh cherries, and a festive chocolate tree.
Falling For You (Sapphire Bay Book 1) Page 22
