“I’d love to help you look.”
“No. I mean—Miranda, I’m getting this all wrong. Hang on a minute.” He released her and bent down on one knee.
Miranda’s eyes widened. The deep pools in her eyes glistened. “What I’m trying to say is, I’m not perfect. I have many flaws. I don’t have a huge income. But would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Miranda blinked twice.
Jordan reached into his pocket and touched the small gold band that had belonged to his great-grandmother.
“Miranda?”
She started to shake. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I’ve known since the second day I met you that I wanted you to be my wife.”
Miranda swallowed hard.
Jordan’s fingers started to sweat holding the ring.
“How long of an engagement?”
Jordan let out a nervous chuckle. “I wasn’t planning on a long wait. But it’s up to you. You can set the date.”
“Tomorrow?”
“If you wish. I’d marry you right here and now.”
“Jordan, are you sure? Absolutely, positively sure?”
“Yes. I love you, Miranda Blake, with all my heart and soul. You make me complete. Please say you’ll marry me.”
“Yes! Yes! Of course I will.”
Jordan jumped up and took her in his arms. His lips captured hers, and the kiss deepened. Duke pawed at them then barked. “Sorry, boy. But what do you think of Miranda being your mom?”
Duke barked again.
Miranda giggled. “You’d better tell him he’s not coming to the wedding or on the honeymoon.”
Jordan held her close. “Of course he won’t. He’ll be house-sitting. So, seriously, when do you want to get married?”
“Tomorrow. But I think our parents would have a fit.”
“Agreed.” Jordan fingered the ring once again. “Miranda, I have a ring. It belonged to my great-grandmother. As you saw in the photograph, her eyes were as dark as yours. My great-grandfather bought her this ring to go with her eyes. I’m hoping you’ll like it and accept it as your engagement ring. If you want the traditional diamond I’ll understand, but …” He pulled out the ring and slipped it on her finger.
“Oh, Jordan, it’s beautiful.”
A black pearl encircled by tiny diamonds made up the unique ring. “You like it?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful. This was your great-grandmother’s?”
“Yes. Great-grandfather told the story of searching the world for his perfect mate and the perfect ring for her. Now, we all know he was not a world traveler, but he loved to make up exotic tales of searching for the love of his life. When he found her, he gave her the black pearl because it was rare, and he cherished my great-grandmother as a rare jewel. Miranda, you’re that same rare jewel I’ve searched my whole life for. Please accept this ring as a token of my love for you and how special you are to me.”
Her eyes filled with tears. Unable to speak, she simply nodded her head. Jordan kissed her delicate pink lips again and thanked the Lord for such a special woman in his life.
epilogue
Nine months later
Randi stood in Pastor Russell’s office waiting for Jess. Jordan’s brother, Adam, had called her out of the room moments before. Randi never could have believed she’d be this nervous waiting for the organ to play.
Jess opened the door.
“Is everything all right?” Randi asked.
“Yeah. Um, how big of a deal is it for Duke not to be at your wedding?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Jess shook her head.
Uncontrollable laughter spilled out. “Of course he’d bring Duke. How did Jordan get Duke past Pastor Russell?”
“Uh, he didn’t.”
“Huh?”
“Well, it’s my fault really.”
“Jess?”
Jess shrugged. “He just seemed like part of the family, and since Pastor Russell is my mom’s son and my stepbrother, what can he do to me?”
“What have you done, Jess?” Jess was her maid of honor. Randi just smiled and wondered if maybe she should have made a different choice.
“Trust me—he’ll be good.”
Randi shook her head. “You’re one of a kind, Jess.”
“So are you, Randi. I’m so happy for the two of you.”
“Thanks.”
The organ music started to play. Randi’s mother stood in the doorway. “Everything all right, dear?”
“Yes, Mom, thanks.” Her mother blew her a kiss and left.
Jordan’s parents were wonderful, too. She had loved them from the moment she met them.
Jess looped her arm around Randi’s.
Her father slipped through the door. “Miranda, you’re beautiful. You take my breath away.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Jess squeezed her arm and kissed her on the cheek then left the room to line up for the processional.
“How you doing, kiddo?” her dad asked.
“Fine.”
“That nervous, huh?”
“Does it show?”
“A little. But, hey, it happens to all of us. Once you’re standing next to Jordan and you take his hand, it will all wash away. At least it did for your mother and me.”
Randi kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart. But it’s time.”
He led her through the door and down the hall. The organ music shifted to the traditional bridal march. Everyone stood. Randi looked down the aisle. Jordan stood there as handsome as ever, his hair tied back. Duke sat beside Jordan, wearing his own bowtie and tuxedo tails. She smiled. Jess was right. Duke belonged here.
Jordan’s smile broadened. Her gaze stayed fixed on his. Today they would unite as one. Today they would break down all the barriers of their hearts, no longer trespassers but welcomed and honored guests At the altar, she whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He held out his hand. And it was as her father had said—all fears washed away.
Today was the beginning of their future, and Randi couldn’t have been happier.
I’d like to dedicate this book to all the helpful friends on the T & TTT forum. You’ve been so incredibly helpful to my husband, Paul, and me as we’ve set out to build our own Tiny Travel Trailer. Thank you.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Lynn a. Coleman
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
LYNN A. COLEMAN lives in North Central Florida with her pastor-husband of thirty-two years. She has three grown children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys writing for the Lord. She is the cofounder and founding president of American Christian Fiction Writers, Inc. Currently she is the E-Region director of the Florida Writers Association. Lynn enjoys hearing from her readers. Visit her Web site at www.lynncoleman.com.
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