I smiled as my car crested the hill and the old farmhouse came into view. This place fit us. Lush grass and brightly colored blooms filled a large yard that was surrounded by forest. While the property didn’t have beach access, it had a gorgeous view of the ocean. I couldn’t help the image of little blond-haired children running around the yard while Ford and I sat on the front porch sipping lemonade.
I gave my head a little shake. Not the time. I pulled my car in next to Ford’s on the gravel drive. Climbing out, I took a minute to soak in the house. It needed work, sure, but the bones were wonderful, and it was a project Ford and I could take on together. If he wanted me.
I climbed the stairs, pulling open the screen door. “Ford?”
“Back here.”
My breath caught as I stepped into the foyer. All around and leading the way down the hallway were pots full of the most brightly colored flowers of every shape and size. A smile slowly stretched across my face. “What did you do, Cupcake?”
“Why don’t you come in and find out, Trouble?” Ford’s voice came from what sounded like the sun porch—a room enclosed by paned windows that would be perfect during the winter months, when it became too cold to sit outside.
I let my fingers trail lightly over the leaves and petals of each plant as I passed, their heavenly scents filling the air. As I stepped through to the sun porch, I gasped. There were flowers everywhere, filling every corner and crevice of the space. I’d never seen so many outside a nursery.
When my gaze caught on Ford, I stopped breathing altogether. The blue of his button-down shirt seemed to make his eyes glow, but it was the love in them that seared me, simultaneously freezing me to the spot.
His lips twitched. “Bell, come here.”
My legs seemed to obey without my brain even reasoning through the command, taking me right to the man. I inhaled deeply as Ford wrapped his arms around me, his unique, woodsy scent cutting through the floral-scented air around us. I pressed my face to his pec, lifting my lips to kiss his throat.
“I missed you.”
“Me, too.” It was all I seemed to be able to return.
Ford chuckled, pulling me tighter against him. “You like this place?”
I nodded.
“You want to make it a home with me?”
I nodded again, my heart picking up its pace. “Yes.”
“You want to make a life with me?”
My heart seized in a rapid, stuttering beat. “Give me the words,” I whispered.
Ford pulled back, slipping a hand into his jeans pocket and pulling out a ring box. “Marry me.”
There was no hesitation, I launched myself at him. Luckily, Ford caught me with one hand under my butt and the other around my back as my legs wrapped around him, and my lips crashed into his. I took his mouth in a hungry kiss, one that said everything that words couldn’t.
When I pulled away, Ford laughed. “Does that mean yes?”
I grinned. “I didn’t think it was a question.”
Ford squeezed my ass. “It wasn’t. But I thought you might want to see the ring before you agreed.”
I gave my head a little shake. “The ring doesn’t matter. Only you and this life we’re going to build. That’s what matters.”
Ford eased me down his body and then cupped my face. “I love you, Bell.”
“More than breath,” I whispered.
He pulled the ring out of the box and slowly slid it onto my finger. It was perfect. The band a rosy gold, the ring itself almost looking like a flower with its intricate setting surrounding a round diamond. I sucked in air. “Okay, maybe the ring matters a little.”
Ford laughed, pressing a kiss to the ring now firmly planted on my finger and then pulled me back into his arms. “I’m going to make you happy, Bell.”
I looked up into Ford’s face, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. “You already have, happier than I ever thought possible.”
THE END
Want to know what happens when enemies become lovers? Find out what's in store for Kenna and Crosby in Perfect Wreckage. Available for purchase by tapping HERE.
Bonus Scene
Want to know what happens when Bell and Ford tell their families and friends that they’re engaged? Find out in this adorable bonus scene. Sign up by going to the link below.
* * *
https://www.subscribepage.com/recklessmemoriesbonus
Enjoy This Book?
You can make a huge difference in Reckless Memories’ book life!
Reviews encourage other readers to try out a book. They are critically important to getting the word out about a novel and mean the world to every author.
I’d love your help in sharing Reckless Memories with the world. If you could take a quick moment to leave a review on your favorite book site, I would be forever grateful. It can be as short as you like. You can do that on your preferred retailer, Goodreads, or BookBub. Even better? All three! Just copy and paste that baby!
Email me a link to your review at [email protected] so I can be sure to thank you. You’re the best!
Acknowledgments
If you’ve read a few of my books, you might have guessed that I have a thing for gratitude. I love shouting out to the Universe just how much I have to be thankful for. And with each book, there are a whole lot of people to appreciate. Here we go…
The first thank you always goes to my mom. She gave me my insatiable love for books and is my biggest supporter. Thank you for everything, Mom!
Writing can be lonely at times, but the internet can be a beautiful place. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet some of the most amazing women you can imagine. Those who encourage, share wisdom, and generally keep you from rocking in a corner when things get tough. Thank you to all the wonderful authors who have been supportive in every way possible. An extra special thank you to Emma, Grahame, and Meghan…I’m so grateful to have you in my life!
To my fearless beta readers: Angela, Ryan, and Trisha, thank you for reading this book in its roughest form and helping me to make it the best it could possibly be!
The crew that helps bring my words to life and gets them out into the world is pretty darn epic. Susan and Chelle, thank you for your editing wisdom and helping to guide my path. Janice, Julie, and Steph, for catching all my errors, both big and small. Hang, thank you for creating the perfect cover for this story. Stacey, for making my paperbacks sparkle. Becca, for creating trailers that give me chills. Jenn, Sarah, and the rest of my team at Social Butterfly: thank you for believing in me and working so hard to get my books into as many hands as possible.
To all the bloggers who have taken a chance on my words…THANK YOU! Your championing of my stories means more than I can say. And to my launch and ARC teams, thank you for your kindness, support, and sharing my books with the world.
Ladies of Catherine Cowles Reader Group, you’re my favorite place to hang out on the internet! Thank you for your support, encouragement, and willingness to always dish about your latest book boyfriends. You’re the freaking best!
Lastly, thank YOU! Yes, YOU. I’m so grateful you’re reading this book and making my author dreams come true. I love you for that. A whole lot!
Also Available from Catherine Cowles
Further To Fall
* * *
The Sutter Lake Series
Beautifully Broken Pieces
Beautifully Broken Life
Beautifully Broken Spirit
Beautifully Broken Control
* * *
The Wrecked Series
Reckless Memories
Perfect Wreckage
About Catherine Cowles
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing, she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book
boyfriend.
Stay Connected
You can find Catherine in all the usual bookish places…
Website
Facebook Page
Catherine Cowles Facebook Reader Group
Instagram
Goodreads
BookBub
Amazon
Twitter
Pinterest
Reckless Memories Page 28