“Fifty-five days’ worth.”
He arched a brow.
Her face warmed. “What? I told you I missed you.”
“Well . . .” He brushed her cheek. “There will be no more of that. I’m moving to Bluebell, Grace. Today.”
“Today? What about your apartment? What about a job?”
“I subleased my apartment to Ethan, and I’ve rented a place here in town. It seems Chief Dalton was looking for a new cop.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Meet the new cop.”
Grace gaped at him. This was so unexpected, so great. She imagined him in uniform, a badge on his chest. She could see it so clearly—oh boy, could she.
“Wyatt, that’s great.” She huffed. “But talk about overqualified . . .”
He put his arms around her waist. “It’s the life I want, right here in Bluebell. If that’s all right with you.”
“Well, I guess I wouldn’t try to kick you out. You know, you being the new police officer and all.”
“Don’t make me regret those moves I taught you. And speaking of that—I’ve been talking with the owner of the gym the past few weeks. It appears I’ll also be teaching an ongoing self-defense course there.”
“You know you’ll have every single woman within a fifty-mile radius signing up.” She caressed his arm, remembering his devotion to his job. All that training, all that work, getting where he’d wanted to be. “Are you sure, though? You’re giving up so much, Wyatt. Won’t you miss the travel? The excitement?”
“I won’t miss the travel, and being on high alert for days on end is exhausting, not exhilarating. I’m sure being a cop will have its own challenges, but they won’t include the same level of sacrifice. Being an agent—it’s just not for me anymore, Grace. I don’t need it. I need . . . you.”
She was starting to see a common thread. They both wanted the same things. And they seemed to be right there for the taking.
Wyatt grasped her face in his hands and gazed at her with such tender affection, her insides went liquid. “In case my actions aren’t clear enough . . . I’m totally and completely in love with you, Grace Bennett.”
Her heart gave a hard flop, and she couldn’t stop the smile that lifted her lips. “I love you too, Wyatt. And I’m so glad to have you back in my life.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Gracie. Just try and chase me away.”
And then he pulled her into his arms and—nope—she had not one single urge to chase the man away.
Epilogue
Everyone had told Grace that her wedding day would feel surreal. That she’d feel as if she were watching from outside her body. That she’d be so distracted by all the details she’d fail to remember or even enjoy the small moments.
She couldn’t speak for the memory part just yet, but as she entered the sanctuary and her eyes connected with Wyatt’s, she felt more present than she’d ever felt in her life. She forgot the people, forgot her simple white gown, forgot the details, which she’d handed off to Molly anyway.
All she could think about was walking down that aisle, getting closer to the man who was staring at her like she was the best thing to ever happen to him. In her rush to be near him she may have walked too fast, may have failed to hold her bouquet just so.
Levi, who walked her down the aisle, let her set the pace, God love him. And when they reached the front, she tore her eyes from her handsome groom to give him a grateful smile.
The pastor welcomed the crowd—half the town had turned out as well as Wyatt’s large extended family. A prayer was offered. She joined hands with Wyatt. Words were said, and a song was sung by a friend of the family.
Wyatt had proposed in April following a picnic at Pawley Park. Today was the one-year anniversary of the day they’d met. Molly had freaked about the short engagement period, but Grace and Wyatt just wanted a simple wedding. She had to repeat the word simple to her sister at least twenty thousand times, and even so they’d wound up with a botanical garden and a tiered wedding cake of skyscraper proportions.
When it was time for the vows Wyatt’s voice rang out confident and clear, his eyes never wavering. Grace soaked in every detail of him, committing them to memory. The crisp white of his shirt, the smoothly shaved planes of his face, the rough texture of his voice.
It was her turn next. She’d never been surer of anything than she was of the promises she was making today. As she finished she was only vaguely aware of Molly sniffling behind her.
Next, the pastor led them in the exchange of rings. Wyatt’s band slid smoothly over his knuckle. Then her own band settled into place on her finger. They exchanged broad smiles as the pastor proclaimed them husband and wife.
Wyatt didn’t wait for permission to kiss his bride, to the amusement of the crowd. He just gathered her in his arms and took her mouth in a loving kiss that went on about as long as was publicly acceptable. As he drew away he brushed her nose with his then whispered, “I love you.”
What followed the ceremony was the promised whirlwind of activity. Grace and Wyatt posed for pictures with their wedding party. They were presented as husband and wife in the church’s reception hall and made their rounds as everyone enjoyed the buffet Miss Della had organized.
As the meal wound up Molly made a long, sentimental toast, blubbering her way through some very nice words. Ethan’s toast had been short in length but long in sincerity. His warm wishes touched a place deep in Grace’s heart, especially since he’d just come through his own heartbreaking divorce.
Their first dance was next. Grace had chosen her parents’ song: “When a Man Loves a Woman.” As she swayed in Wyatt’s arms she felt their presence, their approval. She hoped they were looking down from heaven, seeing how happy she was. How loved she was.
She pulled back from Wyatt to look him in the eye, feeling uncharacteristically sentimental. “My parents would’ve loved you, you know.”
His eyes softened. “I wish I could’ve met them. But I kind of feel like I have, through you and Molly and Levi.”
“Their legacy lives on.”
“It really does, in so many ways. It’s cool that we kind of grew up in the same house.”
He’d been thrilled to find out they were keeping the inn in the family. It was his home, too, after all. “How many husbands and wives can say that?” she said as the last strains of the song played out.
“Husband and wife . . .” His eyes pierced hers as he lowered his head until his breath was a whisper on her lips. “That has such a nice ring to it.”
Just as things were getting good, Molly tore Grace away for the bouquet toss. One beautiful arc-throw later, it was caught by Molly’s friend Skye, who seemed rather pleased to find it in her grasp. After the toss Grace and Wyatt fed each other delicate slices of silky white cake to the applause of the guests.
Molly had hired a local band, so they danced until Grace’s feet—even encased in her favorite sneakers—were pinched and aching.
When Wyatt slipped away to see Ethan off, Grace took the opportunity to plop into a corner chair and rest her feet. They were going away to Gatlinburg for a few days. It was barely off-season for her business, and it was still busy. She had a staff of four now, but she didn’t feel comfortable leaving for a whole week.
Wyatt had settled into his position as a police officer. It meant working some unpredictable hours and being on call a lot, but the job suited him. And she’d been right about his self-defense course; he had a crowd each week—and some of them were even interested in learning self-defense. Grace often helped him by playing the “victim.” He called her his star pupil.
The party went on, the band kicking up a rousing Luke Bryan song that had everyone crowding the dance floor. Grace scanned the happy gathering, a feeling of contentment rising. This was her place. These were her people. And now they were her husband’s people too.
Her friend Sarah was dancing with Skeeter. He spun her around several times until she fell into his arms, laughing.
Adam w
as watching Molly affectionately from the sidelines as she dragged Miss Della away from the refreshment table and spun her around on the dance floor. Grace was glad to see them letting their hair down. Jada had taken a full-time position at the inn, and Molly had hired out the cleaning. She was thriving in her role as sole proprietor of the Bluebell Inn.
As Molly turned, Grace caught sight of her profile and the slight swell of her stomach under the snug dress. Two months ago Molly and Adam had announced that they were expecting. Molly’s first trimester had been a little bumpy with morning sickness, but she was feeling great now that she was in her fourth month. They were going to be the best parents.
On the dance floor Molly stopped dancing as Adam approached, holding out a bottled water. Molly humored him, taking a long drink before handing it back. Grace loved the way Adam doted on her sister, even more so now that she was pregnant.
Just steps away from Molly, Levi and Mia were slow dancing, despite the up-tempo song, their foreheads pressed together. Levi was loving his new job at a commercial construction company, and Mia had just released a new film to critical praise. Levi was a handsome, quiet escort for her Hollywood shindigs. Sometimes Grace caught a glimpse of him in an entertainment rag and couldn’t help but laugh. For someone so unsuited to Hollywood, Levi seemed awfully happy in his new life.
Wyatt had come back inside and was talking to his dad and stepmom over by the refreshment table. Her husband looked so handsome in his dark suit. He wore a single magnolia on his lapel in memory of his mother. He’d had some therapy of his own since his return to Bluebell. Grace was so proud of the progress he’d made. She was proud of her own progress too. She’d come to peace with survival. She hadn’t realized what a weight she’d been carrying until she began to let go of it.
Grace had gotten to spend some time with Wyatt’s family over the holidays and again in March. Governor Jennings was charming and kind, and his wife, Valerie, seemed happy for Wyatt’s new course in life. His extended family—cousins, aunts, and uncles—were fun and loud, and Grace felt right at home among them.
Molly flopped into a chair beside Grace. “Whew! That’s a workout. Taking a break?”
“Yeah, just taking it all in. You leave Miss Della to fend for herself?”
Molly pointed toward the dance floor, and Grace caught sight of Miss Della boogying with Darius Brown, the new landscaper Molly had hired.
Molly waggled her eyebrows. “They make a cute couple, huh?”
“You little matchmaker.”
Wyatt turned just then and made eye contact with Grace, his gaze sharpening on her. His dad was still talking, but Grace was pretty sure he wasn’t hearing a word. The corner of his lips made a slow curl upward, and Grace’s heart stuttered. She was already thinking ahead to their first night alone. To the final part of “two becoming one.” To waking up beside him in the morning and every morning after that.
Wyatt said something to his dad, not taking his gaze from Grace, and headed her way.
“Somebody’s smitten,” Molly teased.
Grace wasn’t sure which of them she was referring to, but it didn’t matter. All she could do was admire Wyatt’s masculine form, his fluid stride, his laser-like stare as he approached.
“Sooo . . .” Molly stood, straightening the skirt of her dress. “Yeah, I’m out of here.”
A moment later Wyatt lowered himself into the seat Molly had just vacated and put his arm around Grace. She leaned into him, accepting the slow, delicious kiss he placed on her mouth.
When he had her all melty and helpless, he whispered into her ear, “What do you say we get out of here?”
“Has—has it been long enough?”
“It’s been a little over three thousand hours.”
Grace chuckled. “They went by so fast.”
“I want to be alone with my wife.”
Ah, she did love it when he called her that.
“Let’s just sneak out the back,” he coaxed. “No one will notice.”
She nudged him. “Everyone will notice. We can’t do that. There’s an exit and bubbles. Everyone has to line up outside the church, and we have to charge through a million bubbles. They look nice in pictures and represent our effervescent future. Or something.”
His face fell. “More pictures?”
“It’s a small price to pay. We can run all the way to the car though . . .”
Smiling, he stood and held out his hand to her. They tracked down Molly, and in record time her sister had everyone in place just outside the church doors.
Alone for the first time all day in the church vestibule, Wyatt tugged Grace into his arms. “Ready, Mrs. Jennings?”
Ready to go away with her husband? Ready to become his wife in every possible way? Ready for their amazing future together?
She beamed a smile that she felt all the way to her bones. “I am so ready.”
Discussion Questions
Who was your favorite character in Autumn Skies? Why?
What was your favorite scene in the book? Why? Did it make you laugh? Bring you to tears?
Due to a traumatic childhood event, Grace felt unworthy to live. Have you ever experienced survivor’s guilt or known someone who has? What advice would you give them?
Grace tried to eradicate her guilt by doing good deeds. Have you ever dealt with guilt in the past? How did you handle it? Discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy guilt.
Wyatt’s perceived uselessness as a child produced an adult who was driven to protect others. Do you feel this is a healthy or unhealthy response?
Both Wyatt and Grace struggled with guilt from a childhood event. Do you think this bonded them? Helped them heal? Have you ever found a friend through a shared experience?
Grace admired that Wyatt was confident yet humble. Unlike her, even though he also experienced guilt, he seemed to know his place in the world. Who has been a mentor to you—someone you can look to as an example? What qualities do you admire in them?
Discuss the parallels between Wyatt’s journey for closure and his journey through the mountains.
In the story, God used a crisis in Wyatt’s life to bring Grace and him together for the purpose of healing them both. Do you think God has ever allowed a crisis in your life to bring about good? Discuss.
If you’ve read all three books in the series, whose story did you most relate to—Molly and Adam’s from Lake Season? Mia and Levi’s from Carolina Breeze? Or Grace and Wyatt’s from Autumn Skies? Why do you think that is?
Acknowledgments
Bringing a book to market takes a lot of effort from many different people. I’m so incredibly blessed to partner with the fabulous team at HarperCollins Christian Fiction, led by publisher Amanda Bostic: Jocelyn Bailey, Matt Bray, Kim Carlton, Paul Fisher, Jodi Hughes, Margaret Kercher, Becky Monds, Kerri Potts, Savannah Summers, Marcee Wardell, and Laura Wheeler.
Not to mention all the wonderful sales reps and amazing people in the rights department—special shout-out to Robert Downs!
Thanks especially to my editor Kim Carlton for her incredible insight and inspiration. You not only help me take the story deeper but also make the process enjoyable, and for that I am so grateful! Thanks also to my line editor, Julee Schwarzburg, whose attention to detail makes me look like a better writer than I really am.
Author Colleen Coble is my first reader and sister of my heart. Thank you, friend! This writing journey has been ever so much more fun because of you!
I’m grateful to my agent, Karen Solem, who’s able to somehow make sense of the legal garble of contracts and, even more amazing, help me understand it.
The town of Bluebell was inspired by the little town of Lake Lure, North Carolina. Don and Kim Cason, innkeepers of the beautiful historic Esmeralda Inn, were so kind to host my husband and me for a few days and answer all my pesky questions. If you’re looking to visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, I highly recommend it! https://theesmeralda.com
To my husband, Kevin, who
has supported my dreams in every way possible—I’m so grateful! To all our kiddos: Chad, Trevor and Babette, and Justin and Hannah, who have favored us with a beautiful granddaughter. Every stage of parenthood has been a grand adventure, and I look forward to all the wonderful memories we have yet to make!
A hearty thank you to all the booksellers who make room on their shelves for my books—I’m deeply indebted! And to all the book bloggers and reviewers, whose passion for fiction is contagious—thank you!
Lastly, thank you, friends, for letting me share this story with you. I wouldn’t be doing this without you! Your notes, posts, and reviews keep me going on the days when writing doesn’t flow so easily. I appreciate your support more than you know.
I enjoy connecting with friends on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter. Please pop over and say hello. Visit my website at the link www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or just drop me a note at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you!
Chapter 1
Maddy Monroe was cowering behind a ficus tree near the hostess station when her cell phone rang. Her hands shook as she silenced the phone before it drew the attention of the staff.
She jabbed the elevator button for the third time. “Come on, come on.” A star could be born in interstellar space, a polar valley carved by a glacier in the time it took the elevator to reach this floor. Stairs were not an option, as she was on the twentieth floor of the Waterford building and sporting heels.
She sniffled. Drat. She seemed to be crying. She swiped a hand under her eyes, heedless of her makeup.
She heard voices, Nick’s boisterous laugh. Maddy shrank deeper into the ficus and finally, finally, the elevator dinged its arrival.
“Maddy?” Noelle’s concerned voice tunneled down the hall. “Maddy, wait.”
“Oh, come on,” she muttered, tapping her fingers against her leg until the gold doors crept open. As soon as she could fit, she squeezed inside and punched the ground-floor button.
Autumn Skies: 3 (A Bluebell Inn Romance) Page 24