He grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that! I was afraid to suggest it, because it didn’t seem like the kind of thing you’d go for, but I’m so happy you think that too!”
“Talk to Pastor Kevin, would you? I think a Sunday afternoon wedding would be perfect.”
“You are definitely the woman of my dreams. We think the same way.”
She laughed. “We’ll have time to explore all that. Very soon.”
Debbie fixed her kids’ favorite meal—enchilada casserole—and she and Frank were putting supper on the table when Miranda and Bob arrived with Scott in tow. He’d spent the afternoon with them, wanting to get to know Bob a little bit better.
When the five of them were sitting down to eat, Debbie nodded at Frank, letting him know it was time. “So, I asked your mom a question yesterday…”
Miranda put her hand over her mouth. “Really?”
Debbie grinned. She knew that Miranda would understand. She nodded at her daughter.
Frank pulled the ring from his pocket. “She wanted to wait to wear the ring until we’d talked to both of you about it.”
Scott frowned. “This is happening really fast.”
“Faster than you think,” Debbie replied as Frank slipped the ring on her finger. “We’re getting married this Sunday. I thought you’d want to be here for it.”
“This…are you sure?” Scott seemed to really have a hard time dealing with the change. He’d taken Miranda’s wedding a lot easier than he was Debbie’s.
“I’m positive. I’ve never known a man who could make me feel loved like Frank can. Trust me, Scott. This is a good move for all of us.”
Scott nodded and swallowed hard. “Congratulations!” He shook Frank’s hand. “Welcome to the family.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to call me Dad.” Frank said with a grin.
“I’m not sure I could yet. I’ve honestly never called anyone that.”
Frank frowned. He’d forgotten that Scott had never known a father. “Let me amend that. I won’t ask you to call me Dad, but you’re welcome to if you feel the desire.”
Scott nodded. “Thanks.”
Debbie watched her son for a moment, making sure he was all right with the news, but he seemed fine. “So, Miranda, I think I need a matron of honor.”
“That would be me.” Miranda laughed. “Too bad Kelsi’s twins aren’t a little older. They’d have made great flower girls.”
“Yes, they would have!”
The two women spoke about what they were going to do to the church for the wedding, while Scott and Frank talked about the Air Force again.
At the end of the night, Frank kissed Debbie. “That went well.”
Debbie nodded. “Better than I’d hoped.”
“Now do we get to live happily ever after?”
She sighed. “If only this were a romance novel, we would. Hopefully God is smiling on this marriage.”
“I know he is.”
As Debbie watched Frank leave, she couldn’t help but smile. In just two days, they wouldn’t be going home to their separate places. She was ready to be in a marriage again. Ready for love again. Thank God for second chances.
Also by Kirsten Osbourne
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Sneak Peek at Bernie’s Birthday
Coming Soon!
Introduction
Bernie loves her job as Wade Weston's assistant at River's End Ranch--especially since he recently gave her more responsibility. Though she's happy enough as the story begins, it's also her birthday and she realizes that the only missing piece to an otherwise awesome life, is that someone special to spend it with.
A blonde beauty, Bernie has never lacked for male attention or dates, but no one has captured her heart and lately, she's been too busy to even think about it. The very last person she'd ever consider is Wade's friend David, the ER doctor at the local hospital. Bernie hasn't seen him in years, but suddenly, ever since Wade's short visit to the ER, she has been seeing him everywhere. He's still as irritating as she remembered from grammar school, but he's a lot more handsome now. But he is all wrong for her, isn't he?
Chapter One
“The fairies tell me it’s your turn next,” Jaclyn said with satisfaction as she set a very pretty pink cupcake in front of Bernie. “Happy Birthday, dear girl. Now make a wish.”
A single candle burned brightly atop a mountain of fluffy frosting. Although it was pink, Bernie thought she caught of whiff of her favorite scent. “Is it…”
“It is,” Jaclyn finished her sentence, “Lemon with raspberry filling. And I may have to have one too. Now hurry and make your wish so we can both enjoy our treats.”
Bernie didn’t have to think about what to wish for. She made the same wish every year-- eventually it would come true. She was sure of it. She blew hard and then pulled the candle out of the cake and licked it clean, before setting it on her plate.
“Sorry, I suppose that’s rude?”
Jaclyn chuckled. “Doesn’t bother me any dear. Though I wouldn’t recommend doing it on a date.”
Bernie frowned. “I haven’t had many of those lately.”
“You will. I told you, the fairies have spoken.”
Bernie had ignored Jaclyn’s earlier comment. She knew the older woman meant well though. She glanced at her watch. She had ten more minutes before she’d need to head back to her office. She usually ate lunch at her desk, but Jaclyn had insisted that she stop by for a mid-day birthday treat. It was sweet of her to remember. And Bernie knew it might be her only birthday cake. She hadn’t mentioned the date to anyone and didn’t like to call attention to things like that. Though she loved to celebrate other people’s birthdays.
“So what have the fairies told you?” she surprised herself by asking.
“Nothing terribly clear yet, just that your time is coming. But you need to be open to it. Really open,” she emphasized.
“What does that mean?”
“Just that love can be surprising. Sometimes you will find it where you least expect it.”
Bernie frowned. She had no earthly idea what Jaclyn was talking about. She sighed.
“I don’t know about that. I’m not like the others. Everyone seems to fall in love so fast around here. I can’t imagine that happening to me. My brother says I’m too picky,” she admitted.
“Jack says that? That’s rich, coming from him. Maybe he should be a bit pickier himself?” Jaclyn said.
Bernie laughed. Her brother Jack loved women. She’d lost track of how often he fell in and out of love.
“That’s true. He falls fast, but it never seems to last.”
“It would if he slowed down and waited for the right one. He will, eventually.” Jaclyn sounded sure of it and Bernie hoped she was right. She adored her brother Jack. They were close in age, barely a year apart, though Jack liked to remind her that he was older. She’d be seeing him for a drink after work. They always took each other out on their birthdays. Especially since they only had each other since they’d lost their parents. The accident that took them happened barely a week after Bernie graduated from college. She still had moments of sadness on every holiday, even now, over six years later. She stared out the window, gazing at the many bunnies scampering about on the lawn, and remembering.
“I still miss them too,” Jaclyn said as she gently laid a hand on Bernie’s and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Bernie’s grandmother had been good friends with Jaclyn and for many years had lived nearby. As long as she could remember, Jaclyn had been in Bernie’s life and she was grateful for her friendship. She smiled and finished off the last bite of cupcake.
“I should probably head back,” she said.
Jaclyn nodded. “27 right?” asked.
“Yes, 27. Can you believe it?”
“I can. It’s a good number for you and will be a good year. Remember what I said.”
“About the fairies?” Something outside the window caught Bernie’s eye and she smiled at the sight of a large white rabbit perched on top of Jaclyn’s favorite garden gnome, Gorgeous George. Jaclyn’s world was a magical one and Bernie always enjoyed her visits there. She turned her attention back to the older woman who was wearing a satisfied smile.
“Yes. Just be open, dear.”
Flyboy's Fancy (River's End Ranch Book 21) Page 11