“Hello Clarice.”
He was here! Standing in her door. She looked up and her heart sped up. He was in the suit that he’d worn the first time she met him. He still looked as handsome as ever even if he’d seemed to have lost some weight recently.
“How did you find me?”
“I will always find you, Sweetheart. I love you.”
She started to cry. “Don’t say that, Rudy. Don’t tease me.”
He was beside her in an instant, picking her up and holding her to his chest. “It’s the truth, Clarice. I love you. I’ll always love you; but sweetheart you’ve got to stop running away from me.”
“I don’t understand.”
He sat her on her feet and kissed her. Then he knelt in front of her, pulling a blue velvet ring box out of his jacket pocket. “I love you, Clarice. I’m miserable without you. Marry me, this time sober so you can remember doing it?”
She fell to her knees and pulled his head to hers locking her lips against his. When they both couldn’t breathe she pulled back. “Yes, I’ll marry you again.”
“Come to the party with me, let’s tell everyone.”
“Are you sure, Rudy? They probably hate me.”
“No Sweetheart, they all know I love you and they’ll be happy for us.”
He stood and pulled her up into his arms and kissed her again. Hand in hand they exited the room and went to tell their families they were engaged again. Clarice’s accidental husband was about to become her intentional husband. This time Clarice vowed in her heart to never again be Rudolph’s Runaway Bride.
Epilogue
Gordon stood behind in the corner watching his sons congratulate Rudy and Clarice on finding their way back to each other. He smiled as the ever lovely Evelyn Reese came up beside him. “Well you did it Evelyn, my dear. I must say your reputation is well earned; nine matches in less than three months. One big wedding in a few weeks. You’ve earned every cent of your fee and the bonus I promised you.”
“I’ve done more than that, Gordon. I’ve already gotten you started toward those grandkids you want so bad. I reckon you’ll be holding the first in about eight months.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look at Clarice, isn’t she lovely? Why if I didn’t know better I’d say she’s positively glowing.”
Gordon looked at the woman beside him. “You mean…”
Evelyn laughed. “Those two spent two weeks alone in the wilderness with limited daylight hours, Gordon. What did you think would happen?”
Gordon smiled. “Well I’ll be hornswoggled. Do they know?”
“I don’t think so; but I noticed Clarice seemed more tired and emotional than usual. I expect they’ll figure it out in the next week or so.”
“Splendid. That’s just splendid.”
“Merry Christmas, Grandpa.”
“You as well, Grandma.
The two smiled as they both stood watching the fruits of their efforts mature.
Clarice watched as all nine Holliday brothers sat around teasing each other about who had fallen the hardest into romance. “Hands down it’s Baby Rudy. When Clarice went away he had to retreat to his bed and have a bottle.”
“You wish it was me; at least I didn’t fall for some woman in an elevator.”
Dasher cleared his throat. “You know Dad is going to be impossible to live with after this, don’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“All this time he’s been after us to settle down. Turned out he was right; when we started concentrating on acting responsible here at home we each found love.
Clarice couldn’t stop herself and laughed out loud. “Really? Not one of you have figured it out yet?”
Dasher looked at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Seriously, you think all of you just happened to find the perfect match at the same time without any help from anyone?”
“That’s what happened.”
She laughed again. “You are all intelligent businessmen. Did you honestly think that the most successful matchmaker would be looking to invest in a resort that caters to married people? This is the honeymoon paradise. Not a place where Mom would find new business, is it? Have any of you seen her meet with any clients while she’s here? Don’t you get it? She only had one client.”
“What? Who?”
“Your father hired her to find you matches.”
There was uproar as the brothers all denied that Evelyn had anything to do with them finding love. Until one by one the truth seemed to penetrate their male ego. “Seriously, the only person she didn’t match was Rudy.”
“Actually, aren’t you here because she brought you back to the islands? You don’t think she might have leaked to me where you were?” Rudy said as he hugged her.
Just then Gordon and Evelyn both laughed, and all eyes turned their way. “Has anyone else noticed how much chemistry there is between those two?” Elle asked.
Clarice smiled. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. I wonder if maybe we shouldn’t interfere in their love lives.”
Dasher smiled. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
The End. Or is it?
What’s Next?
Billionaire Gordon Holliday has done the impossible.
He’s matched each of his sons to a prospective bride and they’ve fallen in love!
With a little help …
Overjoyed his plan worked, he’s now noticing the matchmaker! But Gordon has vowed never to marry again. Not after his ex-wife Mara made his life so miserable and makes it her full-time job to continue the effort! But his sons and their fiancés think otherwise and decide to help love along. After all, fair is fair. Since their father saw fit to match them up, then why not do the same with him? Of course, that might prove easier said than done …
Enjoy this hilarious, sweet, holiday romp full of laughter and love! Click the cover to get it now!
About the Author
George McVey always wanted to be a superhero; sadly, no radioactive storms or animals have been a part of his life. One day while spinning a tall tale for his family, some suggested once again that with all his experiences in ministry, and his imagination, he should be writing books. This time it was like lightning struck him and he decided, why not.
Since then, George has been hard at work using his creative imagination and writing several books. He's still adding to his bibliography to this day. You can find them all on his Amazon.com page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007E39QUG.
George lives in the wonderful state of Almost Heaven, West Virginia, in a lovely creekside trailer with his wife of 33 years, Sheri, and a service dog named Daisy Mae.
If you ever come to visit him, you will probably find him sitting in his recliner or at his desk in the office working on some writing project. If he isn't working on a novel, he will be working on a short story or blog post. If he isn't doing either of those, then he is either asleep or eating, his other two favorite pastimes.
You can reach him by email at [email protected]. You can also find out more about his books, get a free book, or join his beta readers team to help make the books he sells better at his website http://georgemcvey.weebly.com. You can also connect with George on Facebook at his readers group. George’s Gorgeous Readers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/858552084327160
George’s Books
You can find all of George’s books on his Amazon author page.
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007E39QUG.
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Rudolph's Runaway Bride (Holliday Islands Resort Book 9) Page 11