The tears were rolling down her face and she could no longer bear to be away from him. Madi launched herself into his arms. He caught her, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. “Does that mean you’ll give me another chance?” he asked laughing.
“That depends.” She pulled away slightly as she looked him in eyes like she was trying to figure him out.
“Depends on what, baby?” he asked as he stroked her hair.
“Are you going to kiss me?”
Jake didn’t hesitate. His mouth went to hers in an instant and Madi knew they would be okay. Jake Morgan loved her. This contest… this contest they had been in, it was finally over and they both had won.
The End
Acknowledgments
Where to begin. I find myself wanting to write this as a story, where a girl who always wanted to be a writer finally got the courage to just give it a try. Standing beside her were all these people who offered kind words and support through it all. It is a story, but it’s mine. And I need to personally tell those people just how much they mean to me.
First, to my parents… One who supports me from heaven and the other whose daily encouragement kept me pushing forward. Mom, you are my rock. You listen, you hear, and you love. Without you, I wouldn’t be capable of speaking let alone writing. You’re my foundation and my strength. I love you. Dad, I’m pretty sure this book would have come as a surprise to you. On the nights I felt unsure and afraid, I swear I could feel your gentle hand on my back, telling me to never give up; keeping my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds. I miss you every day. I hope you are proud of me.
To my husband. Thanks for listening with an open mind, helping me with the technical stuff and getting fast food when I was too immersed to make dinner.
To my boys. You make me want to be a better mom and someone you can always look up to. I never expected the optimism and daily reinforcement your words would provide. Tyler, I’ll never forget that day as we were driving home from church and talking about the book. You said, “All you can do is try. If you don’t succeed then at least you know you gave it your best shot.” Those words will stick with me all the days of my life. Sometimes your wisdom blows my mind. Ryan, those nights when you would slowly creep into the room and try to read over my shoulder kept me smiling and angling ahead. You listened and sustained me. Your confidence and faith are the light at the end of my tunnel. You can read this in a few years, maybe.
To Murphy Rae Hopkins, my grammar queen and cover designer extraordinaire. I don’t know what I did to deserve you. Not only did you read my babbling messages, but you never told me to buzz off, even when I was cray-cray, which was almost every day. You’re the best editor in the world! Thank you doesn’t seem enough. You read when I was sick of reading, you corrected the same things repeatedly without getting angry, and you put me in touch with the greatest group of beta readers a girl could ever ask for. I know I owe you more than dinner.
To my beta readers and especially, Chelle. I am so fortunate to have been able to work with you. Your words of support and your feedback brought me to a whole new level. I’m so thankful you came into my life.
Kim Hurschik… what can I say? My very first reader and treasured friend, you always got the parts that were supposed to be funny, maybe because we share a brain. No one gets my humor quite the way you do. Thank you for encouraging me to write. Your enthusiasm makes me want to be better and write more. Your support means more than you’ll ever know.
Monica Cimino, thank you for being excited for me and with me. It’s good to know I have a friend that just understands. Someday we will make that video and even though no one will think it’s funny but us, it’ll still be the best thing ever!
And last but not least, to Colleen Hoover. For writing me back every single time and answering my questions with constant encouragement. For writing books that inspire me. For putting me in touch with my grammar queen and for making me believe I could dream a little bigger and climb a little higher.
The Contest Page 38