by SJ McCoy
When she stepped out through the patio doors, she stopped. He was standing there, smiling at her and holding a big bunch of roses. “There you are!”
“Here I am.”
He came to her and took her hand, bringing her outside. “These are for you.”
She set down her glass and took the flowers, bringing them up to smell them. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re beautiful, Chris. And you’ve made my life beautiful.”
“Aww.” She set the flowers down on the table and slid her arms up around his neck. “I love you.”
He closed his arms around her. “And I love you. There’s something I want to ask you.”
“What?”
He smiled. “I’ve imagined this moment so many different ways, but this is how it should be. Here, just you and me.”
She cocked her head to one side. “What mo … oh!”
Her hand came up to cover her mouth as he got down on one knee before her and held up a ring. “The moment where I ask you to marry me, to spend the rest of your life with me. The moment where I tell you that you’ve changed my life, changed me for the better and that I want to spend the rest of our days together. I love you, Chris. You’ve made me a better man. Say you’ll marry me?”
She nodded, and he slipped the ring onto her finger.
He got to his feet and closed his arms around her. His eyes were that beautiful green as he lowered his lips to kiss her. When he did, the familiar wave of desire coursed through her, and she wanted to drag him upstairs. But when they came up for air, and she opened her eyes, she had to blink a few times. They weren’t alone in her backyard anymore. The boys stood there grinning at her, their wives by their sides with their kids. Hope and Chance were there, Marianne and Clay, Laura and her husband, Smoke—even Ivan. She looked at Seymour then looked back at them.
“What? Where did you—?”
Seymour laughed and slid his arm around her shoulders. “I wasn’t sure you’d say yes. I made everyone wait outside the fence in case you said no.”
“We tried to tell him it’d be okay,” said Jack with a smile.
Chris laughed. “How did you beat me back here?”
“We almost didn’t,” said Dan.
“So,” realization dawned on her, “this is what the two of you meant about supporting me in any decisions I had to make?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah.” He held her gaze for a moment, and she understood. They wanted her to be happy—and she was. She looked up at Seymour and landed a kiss on his lips. “Aren’t you the sneaky one?”
He laughed. “I’m the lucky one.”
Marianne went inside and came back out with a tray full of champagne glasses. While the boys popped and poured, she came and hugged Chris.
“Were you in on this, too?”
“Of course, I was a still a little wary, though.”
Chris smiled. “I was, too, but I’m not anymore.”
Marianne hugged her. “I’m so glad. I know he’ll be good to you.”
Chris hugged her back. “And I know I’ll be good to him.”
“He was right when he said he’s a lucky man.”
Chris laughed. “Maybe so, but I’m a lucky lady, too.”
Seymour and Clay brought them each a glass of champagne, and after congratulatory hugs all around, Clay smiled at them. “I never dreamed that I’d find love this late in life.”
“Me neither,” said Marianne. “And it’s like a dream come true that both my sister and I have found it with such wonderful guys.”
Chris nodded. “Not so long ago I would have told you that falling in love again and getting married was a dream too far.”
Seymour hugged her to him. “I would, too. But now we know there’s no such thing.”
She looked up into his eyes, and he dropped a kiss on her lips. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t really dreaming. But his strong reassuring arm around her reminded her that this was real. This was her life, and she was eager to get on with living the rest of it, with him by her side;
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A Note from SJ
I hope you enjoyed Seymour and Chris’s story. Please let your friends know about the books if you feel they would enjoy them as well. It would be wonderful if you would leave me a review, I'd very much appreciate it.
Check out the “Also By” page to see if any of my other series appeal to you – I have a couple of freebie series starters, too, so you can take them for a test drive. You’ll find a list of all my books – complete with reading order and Freebies here.
If you’d like to keep in touch, there are a few options to keep up with me and my imaginary friends:
The best way is to Sign up for my Newsletter. Don't worry, I won't bombard you! I'll let you know about upcoming releases, share a sneak peek or two and keep you in the loop for a couple of fun giveaways I have coming up :0)
You can join my readers group to chat about the books on Facebook or just browse and like my Facebook Page.
I occasionally attempt to say something in 140 characters or less(!) on Twitter.
And I’m always in the process of updating my website at www.SJMcCoy.com with new book updates and even some videos. Plus, you’ll find the latest news on new releases and giveaways on my blog.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’m better at that! :0)
I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then, take care, and thanks for your support—you are the reason I write!
Love,
SJ
PS – Project Semicolon
You may have noticed that the final sentence of the story closed with a semicolon. It isn’t a typo. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love, and inspire. It’s a movement I support with all my heart.
"A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you." - Project Semicolon
This author started writing after her son was killed in a car crash. At the time, I wanted my own story to be over. Instead, I chose to honour a promise to my son to write my ‘silly stories’ someday. I chose to escape into my fictional world. I know for many who struggle with depression, suicide can appear to be the only escape. The semicolon has become a symbol of support, and hopefully a reminder – Your story isn’t over yet
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Also by SJ McCoy
Summer Lake Silver
Marianne and Clay in Like Some Old Country Song
Summer Lake Seasons
Angel and Luke in Take These Broken Wings
Zack and Maria in Too Much Love to Hide
Summer Lake Series
Emma and Jack in Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt (FREE)
Holly and Pete in Work Like You Don't Need the Money
Missy and Dan in Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Smoke and Laura in Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded
Michael and Megan in Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried
Kenzie and Chase in Sing Like Nobody’s Listening
Gabe and Renée in Smile Like You Mean It
Missy and Dan’s wedding in The Wedding Dance
Ben's backstory in Chasing Tomorrow
April and Eddie in Dream Like Nothing’s Impossible
Nate and Lily in Ride Like You’ve Never Fallen
Ben’s Story in Live Like There’s No Tomorrow
Smoke and Laura’s wedding in The Wedding Flight
Remington Ranch Series
Mason (FREE)
Shane
Carter
Beau
Four Weddings and a Vendetta
A Chance and a Hope Series
Chance Encounter
Finding Hope
Give Hope a Chance
The Davenports
Oscar
&nb
sp; TJ
Reid
The Hamiltons
Cameron and Piper in Red Wine and Roses
Chelsea and Grant in Champagne and Daisies
Mary Ellen and Antonio in Marsala and Magnolias
Marcos and Molly in Prosecco and Peonies