EPILOGUE
IT WAS the day of Maggie and Adam’s wedding, and it appeared that the whole of Penhally Bay had turned out to wish them well. The local church was packed as the couple made their vows. Maggie looked lovely in a simple white dress and carrying a bouquet of spring flowers, and Adam looked so handsome in his dark suit. They made a perfect couple and everyone was thrilled for them.
Alison sat at the back of the church with Jack and the boys, and cried throughout the service. It was just so beautiful and so moving, especially in view of what had happened to her. Jack took her hand and held it tightly, and she knew that he felt as emotional as she did, and for the same reasons, too. They were so in tune with one another that it was hard to imagine being without him now, and she didn’t try. Jack was part of her life now and she was part of his—they were inseparable.
Maggie and Adam had decided not to have a reception. As they had explained, they wanted to be on their own more than anything else, and everyone had understood. Alison followed the rest of the party outside as everyone went to wave them off. When Maggie tossed her bouquet to the crowd, Alison automatically reached for it, but missed. It wasn’t until a great cheer erupted that she discovered Jack had caught it.
He grinned as he handed it to her. ‘This is for you.’
‘Thank you.’ Alison laughed as she took it from him, then gasped when he dropped to one knee in front of her. ‘What are you doing?’
‘What do you think?’
He gave her a wicked grin, then called Freddie over and whispered something to him. The little boy solemnly felt in his pocket and drew out a velvet-covered box, which Jack then gave to Sam. Alison’s heart was racing as her son proudly handed the box to her.
‘Alison Myers, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’ Jack said as everyone held their breath.
‘I…er…um…’ Alison tailed off and swallowed. Her hands were shaking so hard that she could barely open the box, and when she finally managed it, she gasped again. The ring was gorgeous, a diamond solitaire in a delicate platinum setting.
‘I don’t want to rush you, my love, but I’m starting to get cramp,’ Jack said, sounding slightly nervous. ‘Please, say you’ll marry me and put me out of my misery.’
‘Yes,’ she whispered, then took a deep breath and repeated her answer so that everyone could hear her. ‘Yes, I’ll marry you, Jack!’
All the guests went wild, but Alison was barely aware of what was going on around them. Jack stood up and kissed her, then took hold of the boys’ hands.
‘Right, let’s go and see if Granddad would mind looking after you two for a couple of hours.’ He smiled at Alison, a smile that was filled with promise. ‘Alison and I have things to do this afternoon.’
He led the children through the crowd, pausing to accept congratulations along the way. His father was talking to Lucy, and they both turned and smiled when they saw him approaching.
‘Granddad!’ Freddie suddenly shouted, catching sight of Nick. He and Sam went racing off, but Jack stopped dead. He couldn’t believe that Freddie had spoken at last—yet wasn’t it fitting that it should have happened today?
A wave of happiness enveloped him as he looked back at Alison. He’d had so many doubts when he had come back to Penhally Bay, but it had worked out far better than he had hoped. Not only did he have a son he adored, he had found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He had to be the luckiest man alive!
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
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CHRISTMAS EVE BABY © Harlequin Books S.A. 2007
First published in Great Britain 2007
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Caroline Anderson for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
THE ITALIAN’S NEW-YEAR MARRIAGE WISH © Harlequin Books S.A. 2007
First published in Great Britain 2007
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Sarah Morgan for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
THE DOCTOR’S BRIDE BY SUNRISE © Harlequin Books S.A. 2007
First published in Great Britain 2007
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Josie Metcalfe for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
THE SURGEON’S FATHERHOOD SURPRISE © Harlequin Books S.A. 2008
First published in Great Britain 2008
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Jennifer Taylor for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
ISBN 978-1-408-91487-8
Caroline Anderson, Sara Morgan, Josie Metcalfe, Jennifer Taylor Page 64