by Croix, J. H.
Tess giggled and shrugged, a bubble of anxiety rising. “Guess I’d better be.”
Nathan turned her to face him, searching her eyes. “Are you having second thoughts? ‘Cause it’s a little late for that,” he said, his serious gaze tempered with a teasing glint.
Tess shook her head firmly, her curls bouncing in the crisp breeze. “No. No second thoughts. Just a little nervous though.”
Nathan leaned forward and gave her a thorough kiss before tugging her inside. Her parents, along with Simon, Jordan and a few close friends from North Carolina were flying in for their wedding tomorrow. This would be in addition to Nathan’s parents who had just arrived yesterday. Despite her mother’s plea to arrive sooner, Tess had held firm to having them show up no sooner than the day before the ceremony. She simply didn’t think she could tolerate the whirlwind of planning that would ensue if her mother, Deanna and the Diamond Creek contingent had time to plan together. In return, she and Nathan were planning a brief Alaskan honeymoon in a secluded cabin in Tutka Bay before returning for her family’s extended month-long visit. Nathan had suggested they plan a second tropical honeymoon next winter, to which Tess had readily agreed. While she’d thoroughly enjoyed her first winter in Alaska, she could easily see how much she would love a tropical vacation when the days were darkest and coldest.
Jared had decreed that she and Nathan would live in the house that all three brothers had once shared. Although Tess had hesitated, Jared had merely given her one of his no-nonsense looks and proceeded to pack up and move out into a small rental home just down the road. He’d declared it ridiculous for him to stay in the large house on his own. For the next few days, their home would be bursting at the seams with guests and activity.
***
Moonlight reflected on the water in the bay. Tess leaned against the boat railing, her wedding dress fluttering in the soft ocean breeze. The wedding and reception were over, and she felt nothing but relief, joy and a thrumming anticipation. They were spending the night on Iris before taking the smaller boat to Tutka Bay to stay in what Nathan promised her was a luxurious, private cabin, complete with a hot tub beside a glacier fed pond. She took a swallow of champagne. Turning at the sound of footsteps, she took in the view of Nathan as he walked toward her. He’d discarded his navy suit jacket, his shirt was unbuttoned and un-tucked, his muscled chest in view and just delectable, as always. He held a glass of champagne and raised it to hers, stopping just in front of her. “To you, for being the most amazing woman I ever met. I’d have followed you anywhere, but thank you for following me here. If there’s one thing I figured out, it’s that I can’t live without you, so…” he paused and swallowed. Tess clinked her glass against him and tugged on his shirt to bring him close enough for a kiss.
“Thank you for not letting me get away,” she said, her lips curving in a smile against his.
“Oh, you brought out the persistent in me,” he replied.
Tess leaned back, taking another sip of champagne, before turning in Nathan’s arms to look out over the water. They’d planned their wedding for a full moon and the weather had fulfilled its promise. The sky was crystal clear, stars winking above the mountains, and the moon round and full over the bay. The air was cool and salty with a hint of the warmth to come. They turned in unison at a sound of something surfacing in the water. Between the moon and the harbor lights, they could see a seal’s head bobbing in the water alongside the boat. Whether or not it was possible, Tess thought it must have been the seal that followed her along the beach last summer after her first kiss with Nathan.
“Do you think…?” Tess asked.
Her curls shifted against the shrug of Nathan’s shoulders and soft rumble of laughter in his chest. She closed her eyes with a sigh, savoring the pulse of desire that leapt when his lips came against the back of her neck in a soft kiss.
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Diamond Creek, Alaska Books
When Love Comes (Book 1)
Follow Love (Book 2)
Acknowledgements
It’s safe to say this book would never have been written without the unconditional support of my husband who tolerates many hours as I while away the time writing and who supports me unconditionally every step of the way. A hero who stole my heart, he also comes up with catchy names in each book. I’ll leave it to my readers to see if they can discover his contributions. My mother gets extra kudos for helping with my website and so much more. This book was taken to the next level with excellent editing by Laura Kingsley. She pushed me to make this story the best it could be. My beautiful cover was created by Jimmy Gibbs.
I remain honored to receive such amazing and kind support from readers. Last but not least, a bow to Alaska – a wild and lovely place. My decade-plus there was phenomenal. Alaska will always hold a piece of my heart.
Author Biography
J. H. Croix lives in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. Before publishing her first novel, she had a successful career as a clinical social worker, including a stint in Ivy League academia. Her career in social work has been punctuated by sunrise bush plane flights to Alaskan villages and the occasional standoff with curious moose.
A voracious reader, Croix has been writing since college and dreamed of writing professionally. Her first novel became an Amazon Top 100 Romance Bestseller. The Diamond Creek, Alaska Novels are set among the stark beauty of Alaska, where she lived for over a decade, and her love for wildlife and the outdoors bring the stories to life.