“If you remember, we never talked about planes much.” But maybe that would change now that she seemed to have forgiven her dad.
After they said their good-byes, her dad climbed into his plane and taxied to the runway.
“So, everything is good with you two?” Alex asked her.
“It’s a beginning. He apologized for not being around, and I remembered what you said about accepting him for who he is. I think he means it, but time will tell. Either way, he was right about one thing. I don’t have to wait for him to come to Logan Point. I can go to Alaska for a visit.”
“And I can fly you.”
“You’d be willing to do that?”
“Yes ma’am.” That and a whole lot more. “Are you ready for lunch?”
“I’m starved.”
The flight over to the restaurant was smooth, and although at times Livy was animated, often she seemed deep in thought. He didn’t know if it was flying or if it had to do with her dad. Or something else altogether.
When they landed, a car waited to transport them to the restaurant that was everything it advertised. A crackling fire warmed the cozy area where they dined by candlelight on filet mignon and roasted veggies in their own private dining room.
“I can’t believe you went to all this trouble,” Livy said. “No one has ever done anything like this for me before.”
He took her hand. “I’m glad. I wanted today to be special, not just because it’s Valentine’s but . . .” He ran his thumb over the top of her fingers. “I’m flying back to Texas tomorrow.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “Are you going to register to take the bar?”
“Probably.” Alex stared into Livy’s blue eyes. “So you will miss me?”
Miss him? Judging from the pain his words brought, Livy would definitely miss him. She should have listened to her head and not risked her heart with someone who wasn’t sticking around. “You might say that.”
“Then the way I see it, we have two options. You can move to Texas—”
“Or you can move to Memphis . . . or Logan Point.” Her heart seemed to stop as she waited for his reaction.
“That may be a plausible solution in the future.” His grin started slowly and then stretched across his face as he pulled a small box from his pocket.
She widened her eyes.
“It’s not a ring,” he said quickly. “Not yet anyway.”
Livy unwrapped the embossed white paper and lifted the lid on the jeweler’s box. Nestled against white satin was a platinum heart with an inscription on the back. To Livy~As a token of my love~Alex. “It’s beautiful.”
He took her hands. “I don’t know what the future holds, but if you feel the same way, I want to explore the possibilities with you.”
Her heart filled to almost bursting. “I would,” she whispered.
He stood and pulled her into his arms. Briefly, they danced to their own music, and then he cupped her face in his hands and rubbed his thumb across her lips. “You are so beautiful,” he said as his lips gently claimed hers.
Livy leaned into him, slipping her arms around his neck. This was one Valentine’s Day she would never forget.
Acknowledgments
To my family, Barbara, Elisa and Carole, and Bryan, you have always believed in me. I thank you.
To my critique partners, Imagine That Writers—your input made the difference.
To Patricia, who listened to me moan and groan, then told me to get back to work.
To My Book Therapy Team and Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck, you challenged me to be better.
To Dr. Amy Davis, my go-to for physician and hospital-related questions; Robert Hand, my blood technician; Sharon Buske, my nurse who keeps me honest; and Dr. Reba Hoffman, who answered my many questions dealing with psychology and police work, thank you all. Any mistakes in not getting the facts straight are mine.
To my wonderful agent, Mary Sue Seymour. One of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met.
To my amazing and gifted editors, Lonnie Hull DuPont and Kristin Kornoelje—a special thanks for your patience, kindness, and valuable input. And to the Revell art, editorial, marketing, and sales teams for your hard work—you are the best!
And most of all to my heavenly Father, who loves me.
Patricia Bradley is a published short story writer and is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc. Her manuscript for Shadows of the Past was a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award, winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award (1st place, Inspirational), and winner of a 2012 Touched by Love Award (1st place, Contemporary). When she’s not writing or speaking, she can be found making beautiful clay pots and jewelry. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and makes her home in Corinth, Mississippi.
Books by Patricia Bradley
Shadows of the Past
A Promise to Protect
www.ptbradley.com
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