She nodded again, her breath catching in her throat. She started up her walkway.
He fell into step effortlessly beside her. “Will you forgive me?”
“I already have,” she whispered against the lump in her throat. “And I need you to forgive me now.”
His brows furrowed together. “What for?”
“For refusing to talk to you.”
“I forgive you for that as long as you talk to me now.” He turned to her and pulled her gently into his arms. He brushed her hair back from her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. “Remember how I told you once that I had nothing to offer you except this moment?”
Her heart pounded against her ribcage, and she nodded.
“I guess that’s still true, in a way, considering we’re not in control of the future.”
She nodded again, unable to look away from his blue eyes.
“But now”—he moved his lips closer to hers—“everything I have is yours if you want it. My future, my life, my heart.” He leaned down until his lips were touching hers.
She thought she might faint. But this was too nice to miss.
“I love you,” he breathed softly against her mouth. Then he kissed her with all the longing she’d seen in his eyes since that night at the barn so long ago.
She kissed him back without hesitation, and it was everything she’d ever dreamed it could be and more. “I love you, too,” she murmured when she was able to speak. “Forever.”
He pulled her tightly to him, and his lips were warm against her ear. “Forever.”
CHRISTINE LYNXWILER
Award-winning author Christine Lynxwiler sold her first story in 2001 to Barbour Publishing. Since then she’s written sixteen Christian romance novels and novellas, including three mysteries co-written with two of her sisters. She is currently working on Cowgirls Don’t Cry, the third book in the McCord Sisters series.
Joy comes from many corners, and at this point in her life, Christine’s list of blessings include a wonderful husband and two amazing daughters, a large family (including in-laws) who love God and each other, a close group of writer friends, a loving congregation of believers at Ward Street Church of Christ, and readers like you who encourage and support her dream of being a writer.
Please visit her Web site at www.christinelynxwiler.com, join her facebook page—Christine Lynxwiler Readers—or drop her an e-mail at [email protected]. She would love to hear from you!
OTHER BOOKS BY CHRISTINE LYNXWILER
Arkansas
Promise Me Always
Forever Christmas
Along Came a Cowboy
The Reluctant Cowgirl
BACK COVER MATERIAL
SPARKS FLY WHEN PASTS COLLIDE
ELYSE McCORD ALWAYS PLAYS IT SAFE—a fact she blames on being the biological daughter of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. Even in the security of her adoptive family, the McCords, the timid dog whisperer keeps her guard up and strangers. But when she discovers a dog being horribly mistreated, shy Elyse transforms into a mighty warrior and charges into a perilous situation, not only risking her life, but also her heart.
Reporter Andrew Stone has been fearless since the day his wife was shot and killed three years ago. He has one mission—use his Texas Ranger upbringing to find her murderer and clear his own name of any involvement. When he sees a beautiful brunette in the hands of a pistol-wielding maniac, he’s forced to abandon his covert surveillance and go to the rescue. The danger surrounding Andrew doesn’t scare him at all, but the awakening of his dormant heart terrifies him.
When painful pasts collide, the explosion is deafening. Can Andrew and Elyse pick up the pieces and go forward together? Or will they forever live with haunting memories, unable to forgive, unable to love?
CHRISTINE LYNXWILER Award-winning author and past president of American Christian Romance Writers, Christine Lynxwiler lives with her husband and two daughters in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark mountains in their home state of Arkansas.
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