by Kevin, Lucy
“I've always known that you love me, just as much as I love you,” he told her. “But I'm still impressed that you managed to do all this.”
Morgan smiled, saying, “I’m a Walker,” and for the first time, she sounded truly pleased about it. “This is my great-grandfather’s island. My grandfather built the school. I grew up surrounded by the most incredible people. Especially you, Brian.” In her eyes, he saw a brighter spark of passion and joy than he ever had before. “This is where I belong. With you and my family.”
“But do you really think you can run your career from here without feeling you had to give up everything that you've worked so hard for and that matters so much to you?” God, he hated having to ask, but if he didn't, he'd wonder forever if he'd let her make the wrong decision. “Because you deserve to have it all, Morgan, and I would never want to be in your way.”
“I'm going to figure out how to do it all from here,” Morgan vowed. “The garden was a start, and hopefully you'll be able to take some time off now and again to come with me on the road as I film my traveling makeover segments. Plus, I was thinking during the taxi ride and on the ferry back to the island that it might not be that difficult to convince my sister Hanna to set up a studio for both of us here. After the way every one of the reporters I invited came, I now know people will travel to the island to work and film. Not just because they want to work with me, but also because Walker Island is somewhere people can't resist visiting. It's a magical place that’s always been full of dreams. And love. So much love that I can't imagine ever living anywhere else. Just as I can't imagine living with anyone else. There's no other love for me, Brian. Only you. Always you.”
Brian couldn't wait another moment to go down on one knee, right there in the mud of the football field. “Marry me, Morgan, and make me the happiest man alive.”
Her yes was drowned out by the cheers of the football players and band members.
EPILOGUE
Rachel looked over the happy chaos of Morgan and Brian’s new home, not far from the Walker house, with its view over the waterfront and its small garden, already full of aromatic plants. There were still moving boxes everywhere, but Morgan clearly was far more interested in putting the finishing touches on the makeovers of a couple of high school girls in her makeshift studio than she was with finishing her unpacking. Hanna was moving around the studio with a handheld video camera so that she could shoot Morgan and the teenagers with the backdrop of the ocean behind them.
Automatically, Rachel slipped into mentally working out the risks the way she did every day at the insurance firm she worked for. She tried not to wince at the thought of all the accidents caused each year by trailing wires when she knew she should be simply enjoying having Morgan and Hanna home again, instead.
Morgan had changed the entire feel of her new show to real people getting real makeovers in their hometowns. She was no longer focused on glitz and perfection, but on showing people just how beautiful they already were. And based on the viewer reaction and enthusiasm from the pilot Hanna had helped Morgan shoot, the show was a hit.
Rachel was so proud of her sisters. They were both so talented, and they’d worked so hard. Working in insurance, Rachel knew all about long odds. It was amazing—and incredibly gratifying—that two of her sisters had beaten them. They deserved all the success that they got and more.
Charlotte tugged on her hand. “Mommy, I want to play dress-up with Aunt Morgan and her makeup.”
“As soon as she's done filming, I'm sure she'd love to play with you,” Rachel whispered to her daughter. Morgan always had time for her little niece, no matter how long and busy her workdays were, and it made Rachel love her sister even more.
The wind had picked up as Hanna moved one of her cameras outside, and just as she turned her back on the heavy camera and stand, it started to tumble. Thankfully, Joel was there like a shot, catching it and setting it back on its tripod, taking the opportunity to kiss his wife once everything was safely back into place. Brian was there, too, as he'd been carrying bites of French toast to Morgan between shots.
“Everything looks like it's going great,” Michael said as he came out of the house, where he was helping with some repairs. Emily was only a few steps behind him, looking as pleased as the rest of them and carrying a plate of fragrant cinnamon buns that she'd been making in the nearby kitchen for the cast and crew.
Paige snagged one as she finally arrived from the dance studio and sat down under the shade of an oak tree to watch the filming. “Thanks, Em. I haven't eaten since early this morning. Isn't this amazing what Morgan and Hanna are doing?”
It really was amazing, Rachel thought, having her sisters all in one place again and knowing that they were happy. One day soon, all of the Walker sisters would be paired up the way Morgan and Hanna were with men they loved. Everyone but her.
And she was fine with that. She really was. She didn’t need anybody else. They didn’t need anybody else. After Charlotte's father had left, Rachel had vowed never to let another man get close enough to hurt either of them again. Her precious daughter was better off without someone in her life who would only walk away once things got tough. They both were.
Which was why, instead of focusing on what she would never have, Rachel would always remember how she'd been lucky enough to beat the odds by having the most beautiful daughter, family and place to live in the entire world.
~ THE END ~
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Watch for the next Walker Island romance, WHEN IT’S LOVE (Rachel’s love story, Book #3), coming soon!
And don’t miss, BE MY LOVE, the first book in the Walker Island series!
* * *
And don’t miss Lucy Kevin’s New York Times bestselling Four Weddings and a Fiasco series!
THE WEDDING GIFT
Book #1 in the Four Weddings and a Fiasco series
After Julie Delgado’s restaurant closes, she temporarily takes over the catering position at the Rose Chalet, a full-service San Francisco wedding venue. She plans to dazzle the bride and groom so the Chalet’s owner will keep her around, but fate has other plans for her when the bride’s brother shows up for the first food tasting.
Andrew Kyle is not only the Cuisine Channel’s Edgy Eats host and chef, but his recent review of Julie’s restaurant was the final nail in its coffin. Once he meets Julie at the Rose Chalet, he’s certain she’s playing it safe. And he wants nothing more than to be the one to break her guarded passions loose.
But despite the undeniable sparks between Julie and Andrew–and the fact that he seems to believe in her when no one else does–can she afford to be taking risks with her cooking, with her career…or with her heart?
Please enjoy an excerpt from THE WEDDING GIFT, Book #1 in the Four Weddings and a Fiasco series!
It wasn’t easy trying to finish off the main courses and desserts, knowing all the while that Andrew Kyle was probably out there telling the Rose Chalet’s owner exactly how awful Julie’s food was. And Rose would listen, of course, because what else would she be able to do in the face of a triple whammy: celebrity chef, the groom’s brother, and great dimples?
Enough about the dimples, Julie ordered herself. Just remember what he did.
It was pretty hard to forget. One review from the city’s most prominent TV chef, and her business had come crashing down around her ears. The faint trickle of new customers Julie had hoped would widen into a stream dried up completely. Her entire dream went south in a matter of weeks, all thanks to the man who was currently sampling Julie’s seafood platter.
Well, she couldn’t let him ruin this dream too. Which meant Julie couldn’t do anything horrible to his food, even if a small part of her wanted the revenge.
The truth was, the best revenge would be to show him just how wrong he had been. All she had to do was present him with the best plates of food in her life, and then force him to eat his words.
Easy.
Though if it was that easy, why was her hand shaking while she finished the duck? She needed to focus, take her time, and—
“Is everything okay?”
Julie jumped at the sound of Andrew’s voice, almost slicing a finger open in the process.
What was he doing in her kitchen? Had he finally realized who she was? Had he come to gloat?
Or, maybe, to apologize for what he’d done?
Knowing anything she really wanted to say to him would get her instantly fired by Rose, Julie settled for, “I’m not sure you should be in here.”
“No, it’s fine—”
“Julie,” she reminded him, like he hadn’t just been told her name a few minutes ago. “Julie Delgado.”
Was there a flicker of recognition in his eyes? Did he even vaguely remember her name?
Then again, why would he? He was a famous chef. She was a nobody who couldn’t keep her own kitchen open and was now cooking for scraps at a wedding venue.
“I asked Rose before I came in to see the kitchen where the food for the wedding might be prepared.”
“Might be?”
“My brother and his fiancé deserve the best. I promised I’d cast my chef’s eye over it as my wedding gift to them. Which is why I’d appreciate it if you could bring the desserts out with the main courses and stay with us as we go through everything.” He flashed that brilliant smile of his. “After all, I’m sure the two of us will have a lot to talk about.”
For a moment, Julie wondered if he meant the review, but those darn dimples of his were turning her brain just enough to mush so that all she could manage was, “Will we?”
“Sure,” Andrew replied, with another smile.
Oh my God, after all he’d done, was he actually flirting with her?
...Excerpt from THE WEDDING GIFT by Lucy Kevin © 2014
Buy The Wedding Gift
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BOOKLIST
Walker Island Romance Series
Be My Love
No Other Love
When It’s Love ~ coming soon
All For Love ~ coming soon
Forever In Love ~ coming soon
Four Weddings and a Fiasco Series
The Wedding Gift
The Wedding Dance
The Wedding Song
The Wedding Dress
The Wedding Kiss
Stand-alone Books
Falling Fast
Seattle Girl
Sparks Fly
For titles at Amazon UK please use the following links:
Walker Island Romance Series
Be My Love / No Other Love / When It’s Love / All For Love / Forever In Love
Four Weddings and a Fiasco Series
The Wedding Gift / The Wedding Dance / The Wedding Song / The Wedding Dress / The Wedding Kiss
Stand-alone Books
Falling Fast / Seattle Girl / Sparks Fly
For titles at Amazon Canada please use the following links:
Walker Island Romance Series
Be My Love / No Other Love / When It’s Love / All For Love / Forever In Love
Four Weddings and a Fiasco Series
The Wedding Gift / The Wedding Dance / The Wedding Song / The Wedding Dress / The Wedding Kiss
Stand-alone Books
Falling Fast / Seattle Girl / Sparks Fly
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When New York Times and USA Today bestseller Lucy Kevin released her first novel – Seattle Girl – it became an instant bestseller. Her next two fun contemporary romance releases – Sparks Fly and Falling Fast – also appeared on many e-book retailer’s bestseller lists. Lucy’s Four Weddings and a Fiasco series hit #11 on the New York Times bestseller list. Having sold more than half a million books so far, she is thrilled to have launched her new Walker Island Romance series. The Washington Post has called her “One of the top writers in America.” If not behind her computer, you can find her swimming, hiking or laughing with her husband and two children. For a complete listing of books, as well as excerpts, contests, and to connect with Lucy:
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http://www.LucyKevin.com
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