“How do you know it’s stupid if you haven’t seen it?”
“The movie trailer.”
“You might like it, you know.”
“I really don’t think I will.”
“I think you will. C’mon, Taycee Lynne. For me? Please?”
Taycee hated it when he used her name against her, making it practically impossible to say no. “Fine,” she grumbled.
Luke laughed and squeezed her hand. “Relax, I was only joking. There’s actually this really cool little cinema that plays older movies.” He cast a quick glance her way and cocked an eyebrow. “Want to guess what’s showing tonight?”
“No way. Are you serious?” Sneakers hadn’t been that popular of a movie, at least not in comparison to shows like Titanic or Star Wars—movies that might draw a crowd. Seriously, who’d pay to see Sneakers?
Taycee and Luke, that’s who.
“I’m telling you, it’s providence,” said Luke. “We have to go.”
“Agreed.”
In no time at all, Luke pulled up to an old-style cinema. Sure enough, the word Sneakers was spelled out across a glowing white board in bold black letters. Taycee’s head shook at the sight. How did Luke even find this place?
Inside, the seats were shabby and worn, but the theater was clean—and empty. Were they early? “What time does it start?”
“Any minute now.” Luke eyed the dimly lit room. “Seriously, Robert Redford has to have more fans than just us.”
Taycee laughed as she led him to the center of the room. “I actually love the thought of having this place to ourselves. It’s cool. C’mon, let’s sit.” She tugged him down beside her, instantly annoyed by the armrest that separated them. Her fingers laced through his, and she laid her head on his shoulder.
A few minutes passed, and Luke’s foot began to tap against the carpeted floor. He shifted positions and glanced around, and then shifted and fidgeted yet again. It was almost comical sitting beside him, feeling each and every movement. What was he so anxious about?
When he started biting on a nail, Taycee said, “So . . . how about the weather, huh?’
Luke dropped his hand and eyed her with a look of confusion. “What?”
She grinned. “You’re acting like a teenager out on his first date. Is something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then relax, would you? You’re making me nervous.”
His foot stopped beating against the floor, but the second the lights dimmed, it started up again. Taycee bit back a laugh. What was up with him? Maybe he’d had too much caffeine.
The screen lit up and turned green as the opening bars of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” floated through the theater. The words “A True Love Story” appeared.
Was this a preview? Taycee hoped so. She loved this song.
We were both young when I first saw you.
A picture appeared: Ten-year-old Taycee in pigtails, sitting on the back of a horse and clinging to Luke’s waist. Taycee gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. What in the world? Luke’s hand suddenly felt clammy in hers.
I closed my eyes and the flashback starts:
Another picture, this time of Taycee, Caleb, and Luke hanging out at the swimming hole.
The song continued as picture after picture of young Taycee and Luke appeared on the screen. There she was, posing and pointing to her newly affixed braces. Then came Luke, straddling his old dirt bike. Taycee, sitting atop his shoulders after a big football game and holding his helmet high in the air. It was all there. Every single one of her favorite pictures—pictures she’d kept buried at the bottom of her pajama drawer.
Jessa.
I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around.
My faith in you was fading
The poster for “Shelter’s Bachelorette” appeared with Taycee’s glamorized face. Luke’s bachelor picture flew into the bottom corner of the screen, followed by more pictures and short video clips of the opening social and their one official date.
It was their story, Taycee and Luke’s. Tears stung her eyes, and she let them come, her hand still clinging to his. It was beautiful. Hands down the best movie she’d ever seen.
Taylor Swift’s voice faded out with the words, We were both young when I first saw you.
One last picture of Taycee and Luke appeared, huddled together at the concert at Red Rocks, along with the words, “It’s a love story, Taycee Lynne say yes.”
Her heart dropped to her feet as she blinked at the words, not daring to hope they meant what they could mean. The chair next to her squeaked as Luke slid to his knee and held out the most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen.
“I love you, Taycee Lynne,” Luke’s voice trembled slightly. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you in Shelter Springs or anywhere else you want to go. Please say you’ll marry me.”
More tears came. Not trusting herself to speak, Taycee stood and pulled him to his feet, throwing her arms around him and holding on as tight as she could.
“Is that a yes? Because you haven’t said anything,” Luke whispered in her ear, his warm breath sending a jolt of shivers down her spine.
“Yes,” she whispered back. Of course it was a yes.
“Would you mind saying that a little louder? I didn’t quite catch it, and this is kind of an important answer.”
“Yes!” Taycee choked out as she laughed and wiped at her eyes. She drew back far enough to see into his beautiful brown eyes—eyes she hoped would reappear in one of their future children.
“That’s my girl,” Luke said, just before his warm lips met hers. Taycee melted against him. A sensation unlike any she’d ever felt careened through her body. It felt like every moment, every memory, every look, every touch, collided into one massive explosion, erupting over her in waves of happiness.
When the pressure of his lips finally eased off, Luke’s forehead dropped to hers. He held the diamond ring between them. “Mind taking this off my hands?” he breathed. “I feel a little silly still holding it.”
Taycee nodded, and he slipped it onto her trembling finger while she sniffed and laughed simultaneously. She was officially engaged. To Luke. “I love it,” she said, her eyes finding his once more. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” A hint of a smile touched his lips. Luke gave her hand a gentle tug, cocking his head toward the exit. “What do you say we get out of here?”
“Sounds good to me.”
They trotted down the steps and walked hand-in-hand out the door and back to his beat-up truck. As she sat on the cracked and faded upholstery, she watched as he jiggled his keys and walked around to the other side. His easy, confident stride, his broad shoulders, those rich brown eyes.
All hers.
Five months ago if anyone had predicted this day would come, Taycee would have told them they were bonkers. No way would Luke ever move back. No way would she be the bachelorette and he the bachelor on some silly reality dating show. No way would all of her failed attempts to keep her heart safe culminate into the one thing she never imagined possible: Marrying the guy who’d stolen her heart all those years before and had never given it back.
Turned out he didn’t have to.
Thank you so much for carving time out of your life to read one of my books. I hope it took you out of reality for awhile and into a world of escape and rejuvenation because everyone deserves that once in awhile.
If you enjoyed this book, I can’t tell you how much I’d appreciate a review from you on Goodreads or Amazon or wherever else you’d be willing to post one. Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising there is, and I could really, really, use your help to get the word out.
I also love to hear from readers, so if you’re so inclined, you can find me at RachaelReneeAnderson.com.
Thanks again, and happy reading!
I’m really not sure where to start with this, because there are so many people who have helped me with this book. A big
thanks to Wall-to-Wall Books for giving Shelter Springs its name. Buried in Books, for inspiring Sterling’s character. Kraig and Nancy, for your hilarious dating stories. Shaunna, for sharing your clever and creative brain. And Rachel, for your keen eye and willingness to proofread this book.
To Valorie, Letha, Shelly, Sarah, Lucy, and Cora—the best sisters in the world—for your listening ears, brilliant imaginations, willingness to read my earlier manuscripts, and encouragement. I love you all.
To Braden and Rebecca, you guys rock. I couldn’t ask for better critique partners or friends. Thank you for your honesty, your invaluable help, and for being so willing to share your talents with me.
Lastly, to my sweet kids for allowing me the time to write and for wanting to read my books, and to my husband, Jeff, for your love, support, patience, and for picking up the slack when I fall short. I love you.
Rachael Anderson is the author of four published books: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She’s the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating. You can find her online at RachaelReneeAnderson.com.
The Reluctant Bachelorette Page 27