“Is this okay? I can go and change.”
“You look beautiful.” Elijah stepped towards her, placing a kiss on her head as he clasped her hand in his.
The ocean breeze was a cool balm against Jasmine’s warm skin. Still flustered from the busy night in the kitchen, she was grateful for the chance to walk outside and enjoy the peaceful evening.
The lights of Moreton’s sparkled against the night as they neared the esplanade. The couple were ushered through the restaurant to the back deck where fairy lights twinkled against the backdrop of the ocean. Jasmine glanced around as she sat down at a table set against the glass railing. “There are normally more people here on a Saturday night.”
“Hmm,” Elijah murmured, glancing around at the empty restaurant.
A waiter appeared with two glasses of red wine and returned a few moments later with a plate brushed with gold holding a slice of chocolate mud cake, drizzled with raspberry coulis.
“This is nice.” Jasmine sighed, allowing her body to relax into the ambience. She could sit here forever, listening to the calming water, feeling the light breeze tickle her skin. “Unless you’re gently breaking it to me that you’re leaving.” She glanced over the top of her wine glass.
Elijah’s eyebrows shot up, before a slow smile touched his lips. “I’m not leaving.” He pushed his chair back and stood. Reaching out his hand, he clasped Jasmine’s and pulled her to her feet.
“Walk with me.”
He led her down the wooden steps to the sand where a rug was spread out beneath a string of lanterns.
“What’s going on?” Jasmine glanced around the deserted beach. Seriously, where was everyone? Since when did Serenity Bay become a complete ghost town on a Saturday night?
“Jasmine.” Elijah turned to face her. He clasped both her hands between his. “Since I stepped foot in Serenity Bay, I feel like I’ve come home. From the moment I first saw you, I knew this was the place I was meant to be. This town has made me realize what’s most important in life. You and Eloise give me so much joy.”
“That’s so nice of you.” Jasmine smiled, his words warming her heart. And then he was down on one knee in front of her. Tears burned her eyes as her heart thumped a staccato against her ribs. Reaching into the back pocket of his pants, Elijah produced a black velvet box.
“So, I was wondering if you would make me the happiest man in the world and let me stay here forever.” He opened the lid of the box, and a perfect solitaire diamond glinted in the lantern light. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes.” Jasmine breathed, clasping her hands to her mouth. “Yes, oh, yes I will!”
“I will love you forever, Jasmine.” Elijah slipped the ring onto her left ring finger and stood to his feet.
“And I will love you for eternity.” Through a blur of tears, Jasmine cupped Elijah’s face and gazed into the eyes of the one who’d captured her heart. Slowly, as though time had stilled, their lips met. A soft, gentle caress capturing their love. Elijah’s arms slipped around her waist, pulling Jasmine hard against his chest. Her hands tangled in his hair, and a wave of desire swept over her as their lips nipped and teased, deepening their kiss.
“Mommy!” Jasmine’s eyes flicked opened and she reluctantly pulled away from Elijah’s embrace. Breathless, she rested her hands on his firm chest.
“Eloise?” Her daughter ran across the sand, her blonde curls bouncing wildly around her head. “Why are you here? You’re meant to be asleep.”
“Did you say yes?” Eloise gazed up at her, her eyes full of hope.
Jasmine nodded, glancing from Elijah and back to Eloise. Drawing a wrap around her shoulders, Tara walked towards them with a large grin on her face.
“I did, sweetheart.”
“Yes!” Eloise threw her arms around Jasmine’s waist, the force almost sending her crashing to the sand. Elijah’s hand rested against her back, bracing her.
“Did you know about this?” Grinning, she cast an accusing glare over her shoulder at Elijah and Tara, before holding Eloise at arm’s length. Tara nodded, unable to hide the joy on her face.
“I did.” Eloise grinned. “Elijah asked if I would mind if he could be my new Daddy, and if it was okay if he married you. I said it was okay and it sounded like fun.”
“It sure sounds like a lot of fun.” Jasmine pulled Eloise against her. A life time with the most kind-hearted, handsome man beside her? That sounded like bliss. Her heart was full of love. “You’re up way past your bedtime, though.”
“Oh well, tomorrow’s Sunday. I can sleep in.”
“You can indeed.” Jasmine smiled, pressing her lips to her daughter’s head.
“Come on, Eloise. Let your Mommy and soon-to-be new Daddy have a moment’s peace.” Tara reached out her hand and guided Eloise across the sand.
“Can I have your cake, please Elijah?” Eloise called over her shoulder.
A deep rumble rose up in Elijah’s chest, vibrating against Jasmine’s skin. “Of course you can!”
Elijah tightened his arms around her and murmured against her ear. “I’ve got my dessert right here.”
Heat flamed her face, but before she had a chance to respond, Elijah’s lips crashed over hers.
Cradled in Elijah’s arms, Jasmine rested her head against his chest. His heart beat a comforting rhythm against her cheek as she gazed out across the inky waters of Serenity Bay.
“I love you, Jasmine.”
“I love you too, Elijah. Forever.”
Forever wouldn’t be long enough, but she would start with that. For now, she had all she desired. Her heart had been reclaimed.
* * *
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading ‘Reclaiming Her Heart’ - my debut novella, which serves as a prequel to a new series set in Serenity Bay.
If you would be kind enough to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads, I would greatly appreciate it. Honest reviews help other readers find my books, and your support means the world to me.
To keep up to date with all my new releases, follow me on Facebook.
Thanks again!
Callie.
A Heart For Christmas
He heals hearts for a living. She's nursing a broken one. Can a mutual arrangement bring the healing they both desire?
Dr Caleb Hunter is a broken man. An esteemed cardiologist, he has saved many lives. Except the one that meant the world to him. Unable to forgive himself over his wife’s death, Caleb buries himself in his work and leaves the raising of his two young children to his long-term nanny. But when a family emergency arises, Caleb is left facing a busy holiday schedule without a nanny and urgently seeks a replacement.
Kara Savell had everything. A steady job. A large solitaire diamond from her highschool sweetheart. And the decor picked for her new home. All she had to do was tie the knot, have children and live her happily ever after.
Until she saw her fiancé in the arms of another woman.
Heartbroken and humiliated, Kara heads to New York City to live with her cousin Marnie until she can figure out Plan B for her life. Still nursing her wounds, she suddenly finds herself working for a brooding doctor who also happens to be the biggest Grinch she’s ever met.
Can Kara bring much-needed joy into the Hunter household? Will Caleb allow the cracks in his own heart to heal?
Enjoy the Christmas spirit with this sweet, heartwarming romance.
A Heart For Christmas
About the Author
Callie Timmins lives in beautiful Queensland, Australia with her husband and four children. When she’s not busy wrangling kids, finding odd socks, and being the family’s Uber driver, she enjoys running, spending time at the beach, and hiking. She loves nothing better than a strong cup of coffee and basking in the sun, daydreaming of her next story idea.
‘Reclaiming Her Heart’ is Callie’s debut novella. Keep an eye out for her new releases by following her on Facebook.
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E: [email protected]
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Callie also writes Inspirational Christian Fiction as Kristen M. Fraser.
Reclaiming Her Heart (Serenity Bay Series Book 1) Page 7