Dance and Be Glad

by Melissa Wardwell

  "I would've said yes, and I would've waited for as long as it took."

  This was it.

  Getting down on one knee at the end of the dock, a splash in the water shifted their attention briefly but just long enough to see Ryan's fishing pole drift to the center of the pond. Both broke out in laughter, but then returned their adoring gazes back to each other.

  "Jillian Matthews, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

  She said yes without hesitation. He wouldn't have caught it through the emotion in her throat if her head wasn't bobbing up and down frantically.

  Rising to his feet, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed every inch of her face. She reciprocated each kiss of his with her own. After all this time, Jill would finally be his wife, the one he believed God had intended all along.

  When the laughter and excitement mellowed, he captured her face in his hands gently running his thumb over her cheek. He gazed into her eyes until a mischievous smirk crossed her face, making his heart soar.

  "You gonna kiss me or not?" the lilt in her voice teased.

  "Is the anticipation torturing you?" he replied.

  Deciding to put them both out of their misery, he bent low to meet his lips to hers, but a scream echoed through the woods in the direction of the house stopping both of them in their tracks.

  "What was....."

  "RYAN! MY WATER BROKE!"

  Dear reader,

  I hope you enjoyed “Dance and Be Glad”. Like all my stories, it is a labor of love. This story was written out of lessons I have learned in my own spiritual walk. Through the grief and struggle in my life, my relationship with Jesus Christ has been my lifeline. Without it I would still be bitter at God and everyone around me. Only God’s grace gave me the comfort my soul longed for. I pray that you find the same in Him.

  If you enjoyed the story, please feel free to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or any book review site you wish. Without your reviews, many books would fail.

  Thank you and God bless,

  Melissa Wardwell

  I would like to take this time to thank some very important and key players in the writing of this book.

  First - To God be the Glory! Writing was never a dream of mine, but using words to reach others for Him was. Thank you, Lord, for giving me this opportunity to share Your Word in a different way.

  Thank you to my husband and kids - You endured so much over the last nine months. You displayed such understanding and pulled together giving me time to complete this book. I love you all very much. Now, let’s go to the beach!

  Thank you to Kelli Malone and the Infinity Dance Company for allowing me to feature your amazing studio. Kelli, you have a great love for all your “littles” and for dance. Combining them the way you have is beautiful and a blessing to so many. Also, thank you for giving me the information I needed to make things more authentic.

  Thank you to the parents of the young ladies in my daughter’s ballet class for allowing me to use their sweet steps on my cover. The friendship and camaraderie of this group was such an inspiration to me.

  Thank you to Nicholas Pidek at Foster Coffee Company for allowing me to feature your amazing coffee shop in this novel and the next. I think it has and will add just the right touch.

  Lastly, I want to thank Pam, my editor, and Ruthie, my cover designer for all your hard work in helping me make this book look good. You ladies endured way too much from me and my fussiness and I can never thank you enough. You ladies are amazing!

  Melissa resides in a small mid-Michigan farm community with her husband and three children, all of whom they home school. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, taking photos, and motorcycle rides with her husband. Her hope is that each story touches your heart, gives you hope, or just gives you a moment away from the chaos of life.

  Books by Melissa Wardwell

  (and more to come)

  Promises from Above Series

  What God Brings Together – December 2014

  Dance and Be Glad – June 2016

  I Know the Plans – Coming Soon

  Redeemed by Grace – Coming Soon

  Brides of Promise Novella Series

  A Christmas Wedding – November 2015

  Finding Hope in Savannah – September 2015

  Where to Find Melissa Wardwell

  www.melissawardwell.com

  www.facebook.com/mwardwell99

  www.twitter.com/mwardwell99

  melissawardwell_author – on Instagram

  www.pinterest.com/MWardwell99/

  http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Wardwell/e/B00T17KNGE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1462888285&sr=8-2-ent – Follow my Amazon page