I smiled at the look of astonished love on Flynn’s face. “She’s beautiful.”
“Yes, the most beautiful baby ever born.” Flynn said this without a hint of humor.
Theo appeared at the doorway. “You may come in now. Shannon’s ready for you.”
Flynn went into the bedroom with the baby in his arms. Outside, the sun was coming up in the east, making the sky as pink as a baby’s cheek.
Theo brushed my mouth with a kiss. “You were spectacular in there.”
“I was, wasn’t I?” I couldn’t stop the grin that came. “That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” The enthusiasm was evident in the elevated pitch to my voice. “I loved it. I’d do it every day if I could. When we saw the baby’s head and then you eased her out—I couldn’t believe what I saw—this perfectly formed little person. I had no idea it would be like this.”
Theo laughed. “Like what?”
“So exhilarating. I feel like I could climb a mountain right now.” I tugged at the sleeves on his shirt. “Did you see how I got her on the floor? That helped her. It was just instinct. I don’t know what got into me.”
“It was brilliant. You’re a natural, my love.”
“Theo, I could help you from now on. I would be there with the mothers during labor. Like Poppy and Cym do with the animals. I could help the mothers through to the birthing part and you could deliver them.”
“Dr. Neal hates the baby duty,” I said. “And neither of us is any good at the labor part. Perhaps there’s room for you in our practice.”
“What? No, you don’t mean it.”
“Midwives have been birthing babies for centuries. Why not you too?”
My heart raced at the idea. “Could I? Really?”
“I’ll talk to Dr. Neal and see what he thinks.” He squinted down at me. “Is this really what you want? To work outside of the home? Helping with births?”
“It’s what I want.” I’d felt as if destiny had called on me tonight. As Quinn had said, one never knows when it might call or if you’ll recognize it when it does.
“Just like Cym and Poppy, I guess.” Theo shook his head. “And here I thought I was marrying someone docile.”
I shoved him playfully in the chest. “You didn’t really think that?”
“No, of course not.” He laughed and caught my hand and held it tightly. “There’s no mistaking the fire in you, Louisa Barnes. I’m just glad to be in your light.”
We went outside to watch our world waking all around us. Birds chattered and sang. Dew sparkled on the grasses. The arms of the mighty sun peeked out from the east. I leaned against Theo, tired but content. We’d done good work last night. There would be more in our future. I would provide comfort and service, as my mother and father had, only in my own way.
I filled with happy anticipation of our future. There would much joy in the years to come. Happy mornings like this one where we celebrate the birth of a precious baby and her loving parents. I breathed in the sweet scents of this morning, grateful to have come this far.
My parents were no longer here but their goodness remained. Their legacy would continue through me. The kindness and love which had saved me I would bestow upon others. They’d taught me that. And I was still here. Alive and safe with Theo by my side. Because of the abuse I’d suffered, to live fully and without fear would be a challenge all my life. Regardless, I’d survived. Now I thrived. I’d let go and fallen into the arms of my true fate. My true love.
With the certainty of a woman in love, I understood my life was meant to be lived here in Emerson Pass with Theo and his family. My life mattered. I mattered. I was not the little girl sold for pennies or chased by a monster with a gun. I was a wife, an aunt, a sister. Perhaps someday, a mother. I was needed and wanted. There was purpose to my existence.
I glanced up at Theo. His eyes were closed. The sunrise swathed him in its golden light. A satisfied smile lifted the corners of his mouth. I stood tall and lifted my own face and basked in the rays of this resplendent morning.
I am here, as luminous as the sun. My light shines. No one can snuff me out. Not again. I am the sun and the moon and the stars and the dew on the grasses. I am Louisa.
A note from Tess…I hope you enjoyed Theo and Louisa!
Cymbeline’s story is coming on May 17, 2022! To pre-order The Problem Child download here!
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Sign up for my newsletter over at my website at www.tesswrites.com and never miss a sale or new release, plus you’ll get a free ebook copy of The Santa Trial. You can also join my Facebook group Patio Chat with Tess Thompson for fun giveaways and sneak peeks.
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The first of the Emerson Pass Contemporaries, The Sugar Queen, starring the descendants of the Barnes family is available at your favorite retailer.
The Patron is next. Grab it to see what happens between Garth and Crystal in book two of the contemporary stories!
Pre-order The Pet Doctor for Breck and Tiffany’s story releasing February 15, 2022, which is my birthday! Woot.
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Have you read all the Emerson Pass Historicals? If not, travel back in time to meet the original residents of Emerson Pass, starring the Barnes family.
The School Mistress
The Spinster
The Scholar
More Emerson Pass!
For more Emerson Pass, download the historical books in the series. Travel back in time to meet the original residents of Emerson Pass, starring the Barnes family.
The School Mistress
The Spinster
The Scholar
* * *
The first of the Emerson Pass Contemporaries, The Sugar Queen, starring the descendants of the Barnes family is available at your favorite retailer.
The Patron is next. Grab it to see what happens between Garth and Crystal in book two of the contemporary stories!
Pre-order The Pet Doctor for Breck and Tiffany’s story releasing February 15, 2022, which is my birthday! Woot.
The Sugar Queen
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The first in the contemporary Emerson Pass Series , The Sugar Queen features the descendants from the Barnes family.
Get ready for some sweet second chances! Download a copy here: The Sugar Queen
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True love requires commitment, and many times unending sacrifice. . .
At the tender age of eighteen, Brandi Vargas watched the love of her life drive out of Emerson Pass, presumably for good. Though she and Trapper Barnes dreamed of attending college and starting their lives together, she was sure she would only get in the way of Trapper's future as a hockey star. Breaking his heart, and her own in the process, was the only way to ensure he pursued his destiny. Her fate was the small town life she'd always known, her own bakery, and an endless stream of regret.
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After a decade of playing hockey, a single injury ended Trapper Barnes' career. And while the past he left behind always haunted him, he still returns to Emerson Pass to start the next chapter of his life in the place his ancestors built more than a century before. But when he discovers that the woman who owns the local bakery is the girl who once shattered his dreams, the painful secret she's been harboring all these years threatens to turn Trapper's idyllic small town future into a disaster.
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Will it take a forest fire threatening the mountain village to force Trapper and Brandi to confront their history? And in the wake of such a significant loss, will the process of rebuilding their beloved town help them find each other, and true happiness, once again?
Fast forward to the present day and enjoy this contemporary second chance romance set in the small town of Emerson Pass, featuring the descendants of the characters you loved from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson's The School Mistress.
Also by Tess Thompson
CLIFFSIDE BAY
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Traded: Brody and Kara
Deleted: Jack
son and Maggie
Jaded: Zane and Honor
Marred: Kyle and Violet
Tainted: Lance and Mary
Cliffside Bay Christmas, The Season of Cats and Babies (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Tainted)
Missed: Rafael and Lisa
Cliffside Bay Christmas Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Missed)
Healed: Stone and Pepper
Chateau Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Healed)
Scarred: Trey and Autumn
Jilted: Nico and Sophie
Kissed (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Jilted)
Departed: David and Sara
Cliffside Bay Bundle, Books 1,2,3
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BLUE MOUNTAIN SERIES
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Blue Midnight
Blue Moon
Blue Ink
Blue String
Blue Mountain Bundle, Books 1,2,3
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EMERSON PASS
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The School Mistress, Book One of Emerson Pass Historical Series
The Sugar Queen, Book One of Emerson Pass Contemporaries Series
The Spinster, Book Two of Emerson Pass Historical Series
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RIVER VALLEY
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Riversong
Riverbend
Riverstar
Riversnow
Riverstorm
Tommy's Wish
River Valley Bundle, Books 1-4
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CASTAWAY CHRISTMAS
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Come Tomorrow, Castaway Christmas, Book 1
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LEGLEY BAY
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Caramel and Magnolias
Tea and Primroses
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STANDALONES
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The Santa Trial
Duet for Three Hands
Miller's Secret
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson writes small-town romances and historical romance. She started her writing career in fourth grade when she wrote a story about an orphan who opened a pizza restaurant. Oddly enough, her first novel, "Riversong" is about an adult orphan who opens a restaurant. Clearly, she's been obsessed with food and words for a long time now.
With a degree from the University of Southern California in theatre, she’s spent her adult life studying story, word craft, and character. Since 2011, she’s published over 20 novels and a five novellas. Most days she spends at her desk chasing her daily word count or rewriting a terrible first draft.
She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her husband, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats. Yes, that's four kids and five cats.
Tess loves to hear from you. Drop her a line at [email protected] or visit her website at https://tesswrites.com/ or visit her on social media.
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