“Of course I do. That’s my buddy. I love Kenny.”
Kenzie launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck.
He could feel the tears that were soaking into the shoulder of his shirt as he rubbed her back. “Do you want to know why we’re here?”
“Oh my gosh!” She sat back in the passenger seat and wiped her cheeks. “Yes! I forgot that we were…Why are we here?”
“Well, when you told me last night that you wished that we had gone back into the chapel and got married, I figured I’d give you another shot. This time with the wedding you want, if this is what you want.” He pointed to the pergola. “Not only is Kenny here, so is Theo, your grandmother, my family, and Lucky and Deanna.”
“Lucky and Deanna are here? They just got married yesterday.”
“I know, and I told them there might not even be a wedding. But they’re not leaving for their honeymoon for two weeks anyway.” He shrugged and then refocused on why they were here. “Look, I know that for the last twenty years this has been a day you’ve wanted to forget. But, I promised that I wanted to spend every day for the rest of my life making you happy. I don’t want there to be a day that you dread. A day that you wish wasn’t on the calendar. So I thought maybe we could make today a day with different memories. It can be our anniversary.”
Kenzie was staring at him, her jaw open and tears running down her face. Eli’s heart was pounding in his chest. He knew that this had been a risk, but he thought at this point, what did he have to lose? He and Kenzie deserved happy, and he wanted to make sure every day was happy.
“Or this can just be our engagement party.” He gave her an out. “No pressure.”
“No!” she shouted so loud that it even surprised her. Her eyes widened as she laughed. “Sorry, I was just in shock and then…” She shook her head. “I want to marry you. Today. Now. Here.” The tears started flowing again, and Eli pulled her into his arms.
“What about the marriage license?” she mumbled into his shoulder.
“Evan is dating a girl that works at the county clerk’s office. She brought everything we need to fill it out and she’ll file it as soon as she gets back.”
Kenzie leaned back and stared into his eyes. “How did you plan all this?”
“I told you, I’m a good multitasker.” He grinned.
“Yes you are,” she sighed dreamily as a blush rose up her cheeks.
He leaned forward and kissed her knowing that every time his lips touched hers after this, he’d be kissing his wife. And even though the road to get here had been long and windy, deep down he always knew that this was where they’d end up. She was his heart, his home, his life, and now she would also be his wife.
The End.
Fire and Foreplay
Don’t Miss
Gabe Maguire’s Story
in
Fire and Foreplay
Coming September 2017
Other Titles by Melanie Shawn
THE HOPE FALLS SERIES
Sweet Reunion – #1
Sweet Harmonies – #2
Sweet Victory – #3
Home Sweet Home – #4
One Sweet Day – Novella #4.5
Snow Angel – #5
Snow Days – #6
Snowed In – #7
Let It Snow – #8
Perfect Kiss – #9
Secret Kiss – #10
Magic Kiss – #11
Lucky Kiss – #12
Christmas Wish – Holiday Novella #12.5
THE CROSSROADS SERIES
My First – Book 1
My Last – Book 2
My Only – Book 3
My Everything – Book 4
Tempting Love – Book 5
Crazy Love – Book 6
Actually Love – Book 7
Fairytale Love – Book 8
My Love – Novella 8.5
All He Wants – Book 9
All He Needs – Book 10
All He Feels – Book 11
All He Desires – Book 12
WISHING WELL, TEXAS SERIES
Teasing Destiny – Book 1
Convincing Cara – Book 2
Discovering Harmony – Book 3
Going to Find Temptation
A Wishing Well, Texas/Sapphire Falls Crossover
Part of Erin Nicholas’s Sapphire Falls Kindle World
Taming Travis – Book 4
Claiming Colton – Book 5
Trusting Bryson – Book 6
Seducing Sawyer – Book 7
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
Fire and Love (Hope Falls Book 13) Page 22
