Until I Met You

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  Ray frowned. “You don’t know?”

  Unease struck Ian. “No. What’s going on?”

  “Brandi called me on Monday to let me know she was stepping away from her commitment here but that Katie found a replacement so not to worry. I must say they did an exceptional job. They were so efficient, a few of the artists reached out to let me know how impressed they were with the organization.”

  “That’s great, but what happened with Brandi?”

  He shook his head. “I tried to get it out of Katie, but she’s not much of a talker. She only said that Brandi had another commitment.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “That’s what I thought, too, but she didn’t leave us without a backup, so I’m not complaining. I’m sorry for your sake, though. I know you were looking forward to seeing her this evening.”

  Ray had that right.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll go find a corner to sit in until people start arriving.”

  Ray chuckled. “You putting yourself in timeout?”

  Was that what Brandi had done by not showing up today? “Nope. Just taking a break. I’ve been running all week, and a little downtime sounds nice.” He left the dining room and found a quiet corner hidden behind a fichus tree. He eased into a leather club chair and stared at his phone. Should he text her, or was this her way of cutting him out of her life?

  He should have known something was off when she rushed away from the coffee shop on Saturday. His gut had sensed it, but he’d ignored the unease, choosing instead to take her at her word. What do I do Lord? I know she’s the one for me, but she has to feel the same.

  Wait.

  For what? Did Brandi’s pledge to focus on the Lord have anything to do with her not showing up today? Had he done something to make her feel uncomfortable? Whatever it was, he wanted to fix it now.

  Wait.

  Frustration filled him, but he knew better than to ignore that gentle nudge. “Okay, I’ll wait.”

  “Ian?” Katie poked her head around the tree. “Ray said I’d find you over here. Who were you talking to?”

  “Myself.” He stood. “What can I do for you, Katie?”

  “Nothing. It’s what I can do for you.” She pulled a folded envelope from her tiny black purse and handed it to him. “It’s from Brandi.”

  Electricity shot through him. “Oh. Thank you.” He tore it open and vaguely heard laughter as he zeroed in on the words.

  Dear Ian,

  I imagine you know by now that I shirked my duties today. Please don’t think less of me. As you know, I made a commitment to spend six full months getting closer to the Lord and finding myself again. I did great until I met you.

  I’m sure you know how attracted I am to you. Ack! If you could see my face right now, it’s as red as Rudolph’s nose. I have never written anything like this before.

  My six months ends on Christmas. If you’re still talking to me, meet me at Kerry Park by the sculpture on Christmas Day at noon. Please don’t try to contact me before then. If you don’t show, then I’ll know we aren’t meant to be.

  Sincerely,

  Brandi

  Like in An Affair to Remember. He grinned. Who knew she was an old movie buff like him? Now he understood why the Lord had told him to wait.

  Chapter Nine

  Christmas morning Brandi awakened in her childhood bed. She always spent the night before Christmas at her parents’ house. She slipped on her robe and tiptoed out of the room being careful to not disturb Katie who slept on the daybed opposite her twin-sized bed.

  The scent of coffee and cinnamon rolls filtered up the stairs and drew her to the kitchen. “Mmm. It smells delicious in here.” Her stomach growled.

  Mom laughed. “Good morning. Is Katie still sleeping?”

  She nodded, poured the elixir into a large mug, then sat at the island. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.” Her mom placed a cinnamon roll on a small plate, slid it across the counter to her, then filled her own mug with coffee and a splash of creamer. “What’s on your mind?”

  “I met someone.” She met her mom’s eyes. “It’s different this time though. I think he’s the one, but I don’t know how to be sure.”

  Her mom cradled the mug between her hands and took a long sip before placing it onto the counter. “Have you prayed?”

  “Yes.”

  “And?”

  “I still think he’s the one. You know how I made a pledge to not date for six months?”

  Her mom nodded.

  “Well, I did it with the intent to get closer to the Lord and get to know myself.”

  “Which is admirable.”

  “Thank you, and I realized something along the way. It wasn’t that dating is bad, but rather my propensity to put my relationships ahead of the Lord that was the problem. I spent this past week praying a lot, and I know that He’s okay with me dating Ian.”

  Mom grinned. “I’m glad. Doesn’t your pledge end today?”

  “Um-hmm.” She buried her face into her hands. “But I did something crazy.” She peeked between her fingers at her mom then slowly lowered her hands. “I asked him to meet me at Kerry Park today at noon if he felt the same way.”

  “An Affair to Remember.” Mom nodded. “Interesting.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I did something similar with your dad. Tell me, why didn’t you have him meet you at the Space Needle?”

  “It seemed cliché to me. Besides, there’s a great view of the Space Needle from the park. If the weather cooperates, I’m going to bring a picnic for us.”

  “Sounds romantic. You’ve never done anything like this before have you?”

  “No, and I’m nervous. What if he doesn’t show?”

  “Then he’s not the one.”

  She sipped her coffee and took a bite of the cinnamon roll, allowing her mom’s words to sink in. With half the roll left on her plate she stood and went to the window. “It’s sunny!”

  “Yes. It’s supposed to be clear, cold, and dry today. I suggest you pack a thermos of hot cocoa.” Her mom grinned. “I have leftovers from last night too.”

  Brandi turned, hugged her mom, and just held her. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Being you.”

  Brandi tucked a picnic basket into her trunk beside a thermos filled with hot chocolate, a jug of water, and a thick blanket. She turned to Katie and her mom. “Wish me luck.”

  “You don’t need luck,” Mom said. “I’ll be praying that whatever happens the Lord will be with you.”

  “Thanks.” She hugged each of them then headed out. Right as she exited the freeway her car jerked to the right. Somehow she managed to remain in control and pull over. Her heart beat a rapid staccato. What happened? Clearly something was very wrong. She got out and walked around her car then groaned at the flat front passenger-side tire. “This is not supposed to happen!” She couldn’t be late. No one would be here anytime soon to change it for her either, considering it was Christmas. Good thing her dad had insisted she learn to change her own tire. Thirty minutes later she put the jack and ruined tire into the trunk then hustled behind the wheel. “Please let him still be there.” She drove as fast as she dared with the spare tire. She should have sent him a text and told him what happened. But then he would have insisted on coming to help her—not a bad thing, but she wanted to stick to her plan.

  The park finally came into view, and she parked. She darted from the car and ran toward the sculpture. Where was he? Tears clogged her throat. “Oh no.” Why was she so stubborn? It wouldn’t have been a big deal to text him.

  “Brandi?”

  She turned and saw him over beside the wall, facing the view of the city. “Ian. You waited.” She rushed to him and threw her arms around him.

  He chuckled. “I’m happy to see you, too.” He ducked his head and looked into her face. “What are the tears for?”

  She dried her eyes with the bac
k of her hand. “I had a blowout. Then I had a hard time getting the lug nuts off. By the time I changed the tire I was very late. I was afraid you left or never showed.”

  He drew her close. “Sweetie, there’s no way I was going to leave here today. I’d have waited all day.”

  She pushed back and looked into his face. “Really?” Then it hit her…he’d called her sweetie. “I made us a picnic lunch.”

  He grinned. “Good. I’m starving.”

  “Now that you mention it, so am I.” They strolled back to her car hand-in-hand. “Do you realize this is our first official date?”

  “Is it?”

  “Um-hmm.”

  “I don’t imagine either of us will be forgetting it any time soon.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “How’ve you been?”

  “Missing you, but grateful you respected my request. Do you have any idea how amazing you are?”

  “Me? I’m just a regular guy. Nothing amazing here, except how happy I am.”

  “Me too.” She stopped walking and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Merry Christmas!”

  “Merry Christmas.” He caressed the back of his hand along the side of her face. “I really want to kiss you.”

  Her breath caught. “I won’t stop you.” She closed her eyes and savored the warmth of his soft lips as they captured hers in a sweet kiss. She opened her eyes. “I never knew what I was missing, until I met you.”

  Epilogue

  Christmas Day One Year Later

  Ian palmed the ring box in his coat pocket as he rang the doorbell to Brandi’s parents’ home. He’d been invited for dinner—not the first he’d had with them over the past year but, hopefully, the most memorable.

  The door swung open, and Brandi’s dad shook his hand. “Merry Christmas, Ian.” He lowered his voice. “Are we still a go?”

  Ian nodded. He’d asked for Brandi’s dad’s blessing a week ago, and together they’d come up with a plan for how he would propose. He’d almost asked her earlier in the week when he’d taken her to the Space Needle for dinner—maybe he should have, too, because she’d seemed a little put out on the drive back to her place. Hopefully, she’d be in a better mood today.

  They strode into the dining room side-by-side. Brandi had her back to them, carrying something with both hands. She turned carefully, and her eyes widened. “I didn’t hear you arrive.” She placed a platter loaded with prime rib onto the table. “Merry Christmas! Have you had a nice day?”

  “It’s been fine. You?”

  “Fine.”

  Ian shot a concerned look at her dad. Why was she so aloof? Was she that upset he hadn’t proposed? Maybe she thought he didn’t love her anymore. He cleared his throat and glanced toward her dad, then her mom. “Change of plans.” He knelt on one knee and pulled the box from his pocket.

  Brandi gasped. “Oh my goodness! You’re doing it here? When you didn’t propose the other night, I thought…”

  He chuckled. “Shh. So I can get this out.” He reached for her hand. “I knew from the moment I met you, soaking wet and all, that you were the woman for me. I love you with all my heart. I love your sweet spirit, how hard you work, and that you make the Lord number one in your life. I want nothing more for Christmas than for you to say you’ll be my bride. Will you marry me, Brandi?”

  “Yes! I love you so much. Of course I’ll marry you.”

  His insides exploded with joy. He slid the ring onto her finger and stood, pulling her to him. He lowered his mouth to hers, sealing their love with a kiss.

  The End

  Letter to Readers

  Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed reading Brandi and Ian’s story. This story originally appeared in the A Christmas to Remember collection.

  The Brides of Seattle series has been fun to write! In book one, The Reluctant Groom you will see Brandi and Ian along with Katie and Ray once again. Following Katie and Ray’s story is the book Simply Smitten where Ray’s little sister, Hailey, is the star.

  I hope you will continue with the Brides of Seattle journey. We authors greatly appreciate reviews as it helps our books get seen on book sites. A review can be short and sweet. Simply share what you enjoyed about the book. Thanks so much!

  Blessings to you and yours,

  Kimberly Rose Johnson

  About the Author

  Award winning author, Kimberly Rose Johnson, married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

  Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

  You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: www.kimberlyrjohnson.com

  Books by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  Brides of Seattle

  The Reluctant Groom

  Simply Smitten

  Melodies of Love

  A Love Song for Kayla

  An Encore for Estelle

  A Waltz for Amber

  Sunriver Dreams

  A Love to Treasure

  A Christmas Homecoming

  Designing Love

  Wildflower B&B Romance Series

  Island Refuge

  Island Dreams

  Island Christmas

  Island Hope

  Contemporary Inspirational Romance Collection

  In Love and War

  Contemporary Novella

  Brewed with Love