Suzanne shot her a knowing glance. “Actually yes.”
The waitress stopped by their table. “Do y’all need a few minutes?”
Emily shook her head. “I think we’re ready.” They quickly placed their orders.
“Okay, spill it,” Jade said once the waitress was gone. “When is the big day?”
Suzanne smiled broadly. “Is a New Year’s Eve wedding way too corny?”
“I think that could be fun,” Emily said.
Jade nodded. “I agree. If you want to ring in the New Year by getting married, then that’s what you should do.”
Suzanne clapped her hands together. “I’m glad y’all think its okay. I’m so excited.” She plucked her phone from the table, her blue eyes dancing. “I’m going to run and call Nick and let him know that is for sure going to be the date.” She laughed as she stood. “He told me he would be okay if we got married next week.”
As soon as Suzanne was out of earshot, Jade groaned. “It’s a double whammy.”
“What do you mean?” Emily asked.
“A wedding on New Year’s Eve? It’s like a single girl’s two worst nightmares all rolled into one.”
Emily giggled. “Don’t be silly.” Although she had to admit, Jade had a point.
“I’m just saying. What are the two worst times to be single besides Valentine’s Day? Weddings and New Year’s Eve.”
“It’s not that bad. Besides, we’ll probably be in the wedding.” Emily moved her silverware out of the way as the waitress placed their food on the table.
Jade placed her napkin in her lap. “Well, I for one am not going to go alone. Nope. No way.”
“Oh? Any prospects I should know about?” Jade’s bad dates were legendary.
She wrinkled her nose. “One of my coworkers set me up with her cousin a couple of weeks ago.”
“Yeah? And how did it go?”
Jade shook her head. “He came to pick me up but didn’t make it inside. He heard the dogs barking.”
“What, he doesn’t like dogs?”
“Oh, it’s worse than just not liking them. He was afraid of them. I tried to bring out a puppy I’d just rescued from over on Quince Road, and you would’ve thought I was wielding some kind of deadly weapon. Needless to say we didn’t go out again.” She brightened. “But the next date I have could sweep me off of my feet. You never know.”
Emily hid a smile. She’d never met anyone who was more of a hopeless romantic than Jade. She never lost hope that Mr. Right was out there, no matter how many awful dates she went on. “True. You never know who or what is waiting around the corner.”
***
Andrew Beckett whipped his old pickup truck into the visitor’s parking lot at St. Jude. He’d promised his sister Sarah that he’d be at the hospital fifteen minutes ago, but he was having a hard time adjusting back to Central Time. He’d been out of the country for work and gotten back to his home in southern Mississippi yesterday morning. Last night he’d made the five-hour drive to Memphis, and today he was totally exhausted from all of his travels. One look in the mirror this morning told him he could be the poster boy for jet lag. But nothing could keep him from surprising his nine-year-old niece, Mary Kate.
A month ago, Mary Kate had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mary Kate and Sarah had left their home in Laurel, Mississippi, and headed to Memphis. The whole family had been relieved when Mary Kate was admitted for treatment at St. Jude because of the hospital’s specialized treatment of childhood cancer.
Mary Kate had taken everything in stride. Her main concern had been leaving behind her beloved dog, Ruby. Andrew had quickly offered to keep the dog until she was able to return home.
At thirty-two, Andrew wasn’t ashamed to admit that his young niece had become one of his greatest inspirations. Any time he faced a challenge, all he had to do was picture Mary Kate and his problems suddenly seemed very small.
He sat in the truck for another moment, wondering what to expect once he got inside the hospital. He’d always hated hospitals and wasn’t thrilled at the idea of one full of sick kids. But he’d left the country right after Mary Kate’s diagnosis and was anxious to see her and make sure Sarah was holding up okay.
He grabbed the gift he’d brought and hurried toward the hospital entrance, ignoring the odd looks passersby shot his way. Being the center of attention always made him uncomfortable. He probably should’ve tried to wrap the stupid thing. And he would have if he’d had time. But he’d gotten to Memphis so late last night, he’d just fallen into bed. His flight out of Beijing had been delayed, and then he’d gotten stuck in Detroit of all places. After years of traveling he was firmly convinced airlines were in competition with one another to see which could find the most inconvenient routes for passengers.
Beth used to think traveling through some random airport made trips more interesting. She’d always had a sunny outlook on things like that. When they’d gotten stuck in Dallas on their way back from a trip to Hawaii with her parents, she’d just laughed and told him to lighten up.
“Great. I’m dating Pollyanna.” He’d let out an exaggerated sigh.
Beth giggled. “Well, there’s no reason to be grouchy. Traveling is supposed to be an adventure. Which sometimes means getting stuck in strange airports.” She grinned. “It makes for great people watching.”
He’d leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. “At least I have good company.”
“I’ll always be your travel partner.”
And she had been a great travel partner. Until a rainy night four years ago when everything had changed.
“Let me get the door for you.” A woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties held the door open, a wide smile on her face. “Looks like you’re about to make someone’s day a little brighter.”
He returned her grin. “I hope so.” He maneuvered through the door, a tight grip on Mary Kate’s surprise. He’d do anything he could to make today’s chemotherapy treatment easier. From what Sarah had told him over the phone, treatment days were long and brutal.
Andrew couldn’t wait to see the look on Mary Kate’s face when she saw him and her gift. Sarah had given him explicit instructions on how to find them once he arrived at the hospital. It wouldn’t be long now. Lord, give me the right words to make this day easier on Sarah and Mary Kate. Be with the doctors administering Mary Kate’s treatment and heal her broken body.
As he said a silent Amen, he rounded the corner.
And knocked a pretty red-haired woman right off of her feet.
Want more? Purchase Can’t Help Falling in Love here!
Look for the third book in the Memphis Moments series, Love Me Tender, in Spring 2018!
About the Author
Annalisa Daughety is the author of more than fifteen novels and novellas including the Walk in the Park series and Love Finds You in Lancaster County. Her first release, Love Finds You in Charm, was an UPtv original movie in 2015. She writes contemporary stories set in historic locations and classifies her writing style as romantic comedy. Annalisa lives in rural Arkansas along with her husband, three step kids, four dogs, two cats and more chickens and goats than she cares to admit. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and binge watching old shows on NetFlix.
www.annalisadaughety.com
https://www.facebook.com/annalisadaughetyauthor
https://twitter.com/annalisa_
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cot6O5
A Note from the Author
Dear Reader,
I’m SO glad that you read All Shook Up and I hope you enjoyed it! The Memphis Moments series is near and dear to my heart. I came up with the idea for the series while I lived in Memphis. The city has so many great things to offer, I decided to capture some of those in a book series. (and if you enjoyed All Shook Up, please leave a review on Amazon!)
All Shook Up and Can’t Help Falling in Love were originally released to the Heartsong Presents book club. The entire line ended before the third b
ook in the series, Love Me Tender (Jade’s story) could be released.
When I finally got the rights back to those books, I was thrilled to be able to breathe new life into those stories and re-release them. And now Jade’s story will finally get to be told! Look for that in February 2018!
Thanks so much for reading—many of you have been with me since the very first book in 2009, and I’m so grateful for the support you’ve given me through the years.
If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll find me on Facebook and also sign up for my newsletter. From time to time, I like to give my newsletter friends a little extra love—free or discounted books, contests, behind the scenes info…it’s always fun.
Blessings,
Annalisa
Books by Annalisa Daughety
Homegrown Love Stories Series:
A Romance Rekindled (found in Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley collection)
On Board for Romance
A Recipe for Romance (January 2018)
A Reservation for Romance (July 2018)
The Walk in the Park Series:
Love is a Battlefield
Love is Monumental
Love is Grand
Love Finds You Series:
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Love Finds You at Home for Christmas
Memphis Moments Series:
All Shook Up
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Love Me Tender (February 2018)
Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries:
Off the Beaten Path
Earthly Treasures
Destination Weddings:
A Wedding Date in Hot Springs
A Wedding to Remember in Charleston
Waterfront Weddings
Matchmaker Weddings
Novellas:
Rainbow’s End
Kelly’s Charm
All Shook Up (Memphis Moments Book 1) Page 15