by Amelia Star
“Oh, Micah, you have won my heart with what you’ve done. I feel like a queen because of you.”
He takes me in his arms, and we press close to each other in a kiss that warms every inch of my body as the autumn breeze blows in spirals around us, sending leaves and rose petals everywhere.
EPILOGUE – MICAH – Three Years Later
After fixing up the shed with the team and other students, it was loads of fun to spend weekends with Alicia. I have learned a great deal about art since then. I had no idea how much science and chemistry are actually involved in the mixing of paints, and the way they adhere to the canvas. So using my expertise as a chemistry teacher, I’ve been able to help Alicia improve the quality of her paintings.
People started purchasing her work, and eventually she was able to quit painting houses. After she opened her own gallery, she moved over to St. Louis with me. But Alicia still has her house and studio across the river where she can go to work in her favorite remodeled shed.
My house has become a sort of gallery on its own. Alicia painted murals—wooded scenes, mountains, ocean shorelines, and nature images everywhere on the walls. I feel as if I’m entering her creative world every time I walk in the door, and it’s a beautiful and imaginative place to be.
It is a perfect October afternoon when we drive north to visit the Chicago Art Institute for the third time since we met. After strolling through an exhibit on Women Painters of the Early 20th Century, we leave the Art Institute and walk hand and hand down Columbus Drive about ten minutes to Grant Park. With the Chicago skyline behind us, we walk around Buckingham Fountain.
“I know we’ve seen this before. Still, every time I stand before it, I’m so impressed by how huge it is! It’s amazing!” Alicia exclaims.
“You are the amazing one, my love. If you built a fountain, it would be even more extravagantly impressive, I am sure.” I take her in my arms and hug her tightly. She smells like the apple cider we had before going to the museum this morning.
“That’s what I should build next! A fountain in our backyard!” Alicia suggests with such delight in her voice.
“Well, I’m sure that you will come up with something incredible.” I kiss her, and power surges throughout every limb of my body. I know I can do anything with her around. I’m still extremely devoted to my students and teaching. But I’ve found out that I’m an even better teacher, coach, and father to my sweet daughter Leslie now that I have more balance in my life.
“And I can’t wait to see you figuring out the mechanics of our backyard fountain.” Alicia laughs and unwraps herself from my grasp so that she can get her phone out and take a selfie of us together.
After she’s got just the shot she wants, we walk away from the fountain along one of the paths that branches out from the open space around it. Once we find a bench under a big maple tree, I let my love have a seat before I kneel before her.
“Oh, Micah!” she gasps as I take a scrolled piece of paper out of my backpack.
I unscroll the paper and hold it up for Alicia to see. “Remember this?” I ask. “It’s the caricature of us as homecoming king and queen that Theresa the cheerleader drew the day I vowed to make you my queen.”
“Of course, I remember—how could I ever forget. Everything changed after that day.” Tears are welling up in her eyes at the memory, or at the thought of what she senses I’m about to do.
In the scroll is a piece of velvet wrapped softly around something. I take the velvet bundle and undo it carefully. “Alicia, you are the light of my life. Everything that you touch becomes full of color and joy. But most of all, when you touch me, you bring me the feeling I can do anything—for you, my queen.”
With those words, I hold up a diamond ring with small ruby stones around it. “It would make me the happiest man in the world if you would marry me, Alicia.” I slip the ring on her finger as she nods enthusiastically yes.
Then we fall into each other’s arms. I lift her up from the bench, and kiss her as if for the first time—though not for the last. This is only the beginning. We have so much to create together, and the world is our canvas on which we will paint all the love we feel together.
Thank You
Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing to read the fourth book in my first series of books! The Rosewood Series is completed, and what an adventure it was to write! I hope you enjoyed reading it also. But the journey has just begun, and I’m looking forward to sharing many more romance stories with you in the future.
Now that I’ve finished writing my first series, I especially want to send a huge thanks and lots of hugs to Ella Barnard for the guidance she has provided me as a budding writer. I’m so glad I met her and had the opportunity to work with her – from her insightful critiques of my work to her encouragement along the way—and the beautiful covers she created for the Rosewood Romances Series—I couldn’t have done it without her.
If you enjoyed reading my book, please go ahead and leave a review. Nothing elaborate is necessary – just a quick line about what you liked will go a long way in helping a new writer.
Let me know what you enjoy in a good sweet and steamy romance – come join my Facebook group. There will be giveaways, contests, and excerpts from upcoming books – I can’t wait to see you there!
Love and hugs,
Amelia
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Also by Amelia Star
The Rosewood Series
Stormy Love
Blossoming Love
Summertime Love
Harvest Love
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Coming Soon!
The Seven Loves for Seven Cowboys Series
Bluebirds in the Bluebonnets
The Spring That Lasts
The Gal for This Cowboy
Vowing to Be True
Bless Your Beautiful Heart
A Real Bed of Roses
Hear My Tune
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About the Author
I enjoy writing about how women find passion and love in their lives. It's especially fun to write about women who are looking for their dreams - whether it's career, family, or love!
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