Insight blasted a gaping hole in the center of his heart. Cool sea breezes washed over him as a solitary passing cloud blocked out the sun.
How appropriate.
Head back, he reached in to his pocket for the gilded silver box with Amanda’s ring inside. If he closed his eyes, he’d still see the anguish on her face just before she marched out of his life.
Arms resting on his knees, ring box growing hard and cold in his fingers, he dropped his chin to his chest.
I love you, Amanda, with all of my heart. All I want is to prove the love I hold for you is real.
The only response to his silent plea were the faraway calls of a passing gull. If he’d been an idiot that one night in high school, he’d become more of a jackass as he aged. Head lowered, he heard the sound of car tires rolling over dirt, then come to a stop a short distance away. Aw hell!
Keeping his head down, fists clenched, he steeled himself for another unwelcome assault by eager fans, and waited for the standard, ‘look, it’s Barry Carlson’ or ‘can we have your autograph, Barry?’ As the request of go away and leave me alone formed on his lips, he opened his mouth to make it official.
“I thought I’d find you up here.”
Barry rarely put much stock in mystical events, but an angel must have taken a wrong turn and ended up on Angel Wings Bluff. She walked slowly toward him now.
He had to blink twice. Framed in the warm shimmering air, Amanda might have been an apparition from another world. Then the sun reappeared from behind the cloud and he saw a halter top, not wings, cradling bare shoulders. And the flowing gown was really knee length culottes.
“I just figured out why they call this Angel Wings Bluff.” When he started to rise, she put a hand on his shoulder and, without a word, sat down beside him. “Because I just saw one. You, walking toward me.”
“That’s funny,” she answered and snuggled close. “I’m not feeling particularly angelic at the moment.”
The scent of fresh flowers, clean air and sunshine wrapped around him and he breathed deeper, like a drowning man desperately pulling in his last breath.
She rested her head against his shoulder and joined him in studying the familiar summer sky. “How are you feeling, Amanda?”
“Disappointed in myself.” She reached out and took hold of his hand. “Trust has always come hard for me.”
“Plus the fact I don’t seem able to give you very many reasons to put your trust in me.”
“Aaron Goodwin is an ass. A God damned stupid ass.”
He had to smile at hearing the sweet angelic voice he loved spew out a string of expletives. “I’m sure you aren’t the first to say that,” he whispered and pressed his lips to her palm. “And, by the way, I totally agree, but how’d you finally reach the same conclusion?”
“By listening to someone who is the complete opposite of that jerk,” she said and relayed the details of his good friend’s visit.
“So you got some background,” Barry began.
Her fingers pressed to his lips stopped further words. “I received the truth.”
He savored the pleasure of holding the warm feminine body close to him and all he could do was stare at her. “You’re so beautiful, I can hardly stand it. Are you sure we can be trusted alone up here?”
She nestled into him the second his arm slid around her shoulders and murmured her answer just before Barry’s mouth came over hers.
“I certainly hope not.”
A word from the author...
For a long time, I was under the impression that some form of higher level of education had to be completed before someone could write a book. How very wrong I was. All you need is a love of words, an interest in people—fictional people—and an imagination that never shuts off.
I really should have known that. My father wrote scripts for radio dramas before television took over to gratify our desire for entertainment, and certainly before cable. There’s something special and personal about sharing the printed word, which I’m thrilled to be able to do. Especially in romance where a happily ever after is guaranteed.
My personal HEA includes the man of my dreams and the children and grandchildren of my heart. Plus enough dogs, cats, fish, birds, and guinea pigs to keep life interesting.
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this Wild Rose Press publication.
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Other Wild Rose Press Titles
by Margo Hoornstra
Novels
Honorable Intentions
Samantha Wells is the last person single father Chase Canfield wants to chaperone his daughter. Not the beautiful stranger who came on to him with the promise of unfulfilled passion.
Glad Tidings (Class of ’85)
Hospital CEO Jake Holbrook and physician Bethany Thomas confront their clashing philosophies to patient care. As the holidays near, she unknowingly betrays him and puts his job on the line.
Next Tuesday at Two (Class of ’85)
Not for one minute can Blane Weston enjoy the trip back to her past when Matt Durand is so determined to dictate her future.
Short Stories
All On Her Own
Forgotten Alliance
Grandma’s Friends
Happily Ever After
More Than A Memory
Oh, So Right
When The World Is Right
Free Reads
A Nice Change of Pace
Chance of Snow
May Become Permanent
All available at www.thewildrosepress.com
To Be, Or Not (Class of 85) Page 12