A Hope Undaunted
Page 51
He grinned and gently pressed her to the wall, pinning her there with a look that told her exactly what he meant. He bent to slowly feather her jaw with kisses. “I mean Happy Mother’s Day, Katie Rose, and may it be the first of many.”
Her gasp drew his lips to hers and then turned to a moan when he cupped the back of her head to consume her with his mouth. Heat came in waves as hungry hands drew her close, and with another weak moan, she managed to push him away. Her breath was as jagged as her nerves as she stood, back to the wall and palms hard against his chest. When she spoke, her voice was a rasp. “Plain English, McGee, I want plain English. Are you asking me to marry you or not?”
Reaching into his pocket, the smile never left his eyes as he unearthed a roll of Life Savers and bobbled them in his palm. He popped one in his mouth and offered the roll to her with a grin. “Have a Life Saver, Katydid, I hear they’re your favorite.”
“I don’t want a Life – ” She stopped, unable to utter another syllable. Hot tears swelled in her eyes as she blinked, the roll of Life Savers little more than a blur – a blur that held the ring that would seal their future.
Tugging the diamond from where he’d wedged it in the roll, he placed it on her trembling finger. “Marry me, Katie,” he whispered, “and make the King of Misery give up his throne.”
She caught her breath and glanced up, a hand to her mouth. “Who told you?”
He brushed a strand of hair from her face and then stroked her jaw with his thumb. “Parker. Uh, I didn’t know, but apparently you had a number of nicknames for poor, defenseless Cluny McGee.” He gripped her chin as one blond brow angled high. “‘The King of Misery’?”
She grinned, avoiding his eyes as she stared at the ring on her hand, hardly daring to believe. She swiped a tear from her cheek. “Yeah, well, when I was eleven, it certainly fit. You drove me crazy.”
“Likewise, Sass,” he said with that dangerous look in his eyes. He gathered her into his arms and gave her a slow, luxurious kiss that turned her stomach to Jell-O. “And if it makes you feel any better, I knew I wanted to marry you the moment you stuck that sassy, little nose in the air on an Easter I will never forget.”
“Well, for somebody who wanted to marry me, you sure took your sweet time, McGee.”
He kissed her on the tip of her “sassy, little nose.” “Had to. You tend to be a pushy little thing with a knack for bulldozing your own way.” The smile in his eyes sobered. “And I needed time, Katie – thank you for giving me that. I just couldn’t rush into happiness with you in the face of my grief over Betty and the pain I caused you and Parker. I know it wasn’t easy for you, but you honored your promise to me and to God, and for that I’m grateful.”
“Luke! Be on my team, please?” Gabe shot down the hall, anxious eyes darting over her shoulder as Henry rounded the corner.
“Luke, no, she’s already got Uncle Brady, so it’s no fair!” Henry said with a gasp.
Gabe squinted her eyes, blocking the hall with two raised fists that halted Henry dead in his tracks. “And you’ve got your dad, Steven, and Sean, while all I have is Collin, so back off, buster. Luke is mine.”
“You’re mean,” Henry said with a sneer.
“That’s right, and don’t you forget it.”
Henry ignored her and shot Luke a plea. “Please, Luke, huh?”
“Sorry, Henry, but Gabe did ask me first.”
“Aunt Katie, can’t you talk him into it, please?” Henry begged, reminding Katie so much of Charity that she stifled a grin. She folded her arms in surrender. “Sorry, Henry, the man is a mule. I have no influence whatsoever.”
Luke arched a brow. “I’m the mule?” He tucked Katie under his arm and shot Henry a smile. “Tell you what, Henry, Father’s Day is next month, so I’ll be on your team then, okay?”
Gabe leapt in the air with a shriek while Henry puffed out a noisy moan. “Okay,” he muttered, and Gabe dashed past him in a race to the backyard.
Luke gave a satisfied sigh. “I love kids, Katie Rose.” He squeezed her shoulder and led her down the hall, planting a kiss on top of her head. “I want a houseful – at least eight.”
The balls of her feet skidded to a cold stop. “Two, Luke McGee, and no more.”
He turned and pulled her close. “Six, Katie Rose,” he whispered, allowing his gaze to settle on her mouth. He bent to punctuate it with a slow kiss.
“Two,” she repeated, despite the heat fogging her mind.
He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “Five.”
“Three.”
“Four,” he muttered, his mouth warm as it vibrated against her throat.
He kissed her again and she moaned. “You’re taking advantage of me in a weakened state, Cluny McGee.”
“I know,” he said in a husky voice. He deepened the kiss, then trailed his lips to her ear. “I suggest you get used to it, Katie Rose, because I plan to make a habit of it.” He latched onto the small of her back and drew her in close, taking his time to kiss her thoroughly. “Four.”
“Four, then,” she rasped against his mouth, heat traveling her body like a steamy day in the devil’s kitchen. She looked up at the man who checked every box on her list – and God’s – then returned his kiss with a misty one of her own. “And I’d call that a definite maybe.”
Acknowledgments
To my agent, Natasha Kern, and my editor, Lonnie Hull DuPont – two of God’s many touches in my life – thank you for your faith in me.
To the great team at Revell, true professionals all – thank you for all you do. A special hug to Michele Misiak for her kindness and patience; to Cheryl Van Andel and Dan Thornberg for their great covers; and to the best copyeditor in the world, Barb Barnes, who makes editing an absolute pleasure.
To my brainstorming buddies – Charlotte Vernaci, Karen Chancellor, Judy Jackson, Linda Tate, Ruth Volk, Cherie Nevin, and Sandy Knight – I not only treasure your friendship but your valuable opinions, which have made this a far better book.
To the Seekers – sisters all – when it comes to talent, humor, and support, you ladies rock! I am so glad you have my back.
To Gabriella Dawn Smith and Alli Moser – two of my very favorite reader friends after whom I’ve named two of my favorite characters in this book. Thank you not only for your tireless support and encouragement but for going above and beyond in my newsletter contest to have a character named after you. I smile every time I see your names in Katie’s story.
To my precious prayer partners and best friends, Joy Bollinger, Karen Chancellor, and Pat Stiehr – I would be lost without you.
To my aunt Julie, my mother-in-law Leona, and my sisters, Dee Dee, Mary, Pat, Rosie, Susie, Ellie, and Katie for your love and prayers, and to my sisters-in-law, Diana, Mary, and Lisa – family just doesn’t get any better than you.
A special hug to my sisters Ellie and Kate for always being ready to pray, to read, and to lift me up when I’m down – I thank God for putting us together in the birth line.
To my daughter Amy, whose beauty, wit, and endless lists helped shape Katie O’Connor into the woman I wanted her to be, to my son Matt, who possesses all the kindness and compassion of a Luke McGee, and to my daughter-in-law Katie, the best editor/proofreader outside the business – I love you all more than words can say.
To Keith Lessman, the man I love with every fiber of my being – never in all my dreams of romance did I ever believe it possible to feel so cherished and loved. I’ve said it before, babe, and I’ll say it again – I don’t deserve you.
And to the God of Hope, Who has taught me that with Him, there truly is such a thing as “a hope undaunted” – I will serve You all the days of my life.
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion with a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. Author of The Daughters of Boston series, Julie is also winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirat
ional. She is the recipient of thirteen Romance Writers of America awards.
Julie resides in Missouri with her husband, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law.
Contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT PAGE
DEDICATION
CONTENTS
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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17
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS