Mom put her hand to her mouth when she saw it, then reached a tentative finger out to touch the dump-truck fabric as her tears did finally spill over. “It’s perfect.”
Delaney’s throat felt tight as she spoke. “I know it’s hard. I’m sorry he won’t ever get to have his own wedding. I’m sorry he isn’t here for mine.”
Just then, Mom opened her arms and pulled Delaney into them, hugging her hard. “You’re not the one who should be sorry, sweetheart. You did everything … right. And I—I am going to try very hard from now on to be … better. Today’s a happy occasion, a new beginning for you … maybe for all of us. I’m so, so sorry for all the times I was there … but I wasn’t.”
Delaney pulled back, prepared to argue, but Mom put a finger to her lips, shushing her. “I have managed to blubber through every special occasion you’ve ever had, and I’m determined not to do it today. This is your day. It’s going to be beautiful and perfect, and Megan and I are going to make sure of it. Am I right, Megan?”
Megan smiled as she touched Delaney’s shoulder. “Absolutely, Mrs. Blair.”
Delaney hugged them both, but let go when she heard a strange buzzing sound from outside the window. “What is that?”
She and Megan pulled back the lacy curtains, and then Delaney’s hand went to her mouth as she laughed out loud. Looking down Sugar Maple Drive, all she could see was a long stream of snowmobiles creeping upward, one after another. As they crested the hill, Delaney saw Ethan and Josie motioning them into the driveway and onto the lawn. Ten minutes later, the entire lawn was covered with snowmobiles, and Delaney could hear a swarm of people downstairs in the living room.
Megan hugged her around the shoulders. “Surprise!”
“You knew?”
“Did you really think anybody was going to miss this? Now come on. Let’s get you into this gorgeous dress! We have a wedding to put on!”
* * *
Three hours later, Delaney pushed open the back door, pulling a long coat over her wedding gown. Joshua was out on the deck, which someone had shoveled less than an hour ago, but the snow was already three inches deep again.
He turned when he heard the door shut, and she smiled when she saw his eyes light up at the sight of her. He pulled her close to him, planting a kiss on her nose. “Hello, my sweet wife.”
“What are you doing out here?” She looked out into the yard, which right now resembled a moonscape—just mounds of snow covering any previously recognizable objects.
“Just taking a moment. Thinking about my parents. Wishing they were here, hoping they’d be … proud.”
Delaney reached up to take his face in her hands. “They would be, Joshua. I’m sure they’re up there somewhere, toasting with heavenly champagne, happy that you’re happy.”
“You think?” He smiled. “Mom did love a good snowstorm, you know. Maybe she had a hand in this.”
Delaney laughed. “You never know.” She turned her face up to the falling snow, letting it land softly on her cheeks. “I think your parents would be so, so happy to know that you’ve found happiness … found love … and that someday, this house they loved so much will be full of laughter and chaos and little running feet again.”
“I can’t wait.” He kissed her slowly, longingly, making her wish for a moment that they could sneak upstairs, guests be damned.
She pulled away, just the tiniest bit. “Did you know that the hospital schedules more nurses on the maternity floor nine months after a blizzard like this?”
“Really?”
“Apparently people tend to … sleep more when there’s a blizzard.”
Joshua laughed softly, pulling her head to his chest. “And nine months later, little feet?”
“Exactly.”
“So”—he tipped his head thoughtfully—“if they’re going to be all staffed up anyway…”
She smiled. “It is officially a blizzard. The power could go out anytime. What’s a newly married couple to do?”
He pulled back, searching her eyes. “Are you really saying what—you’re saying?”
She nodded, more sure than she’d ever been of anything. “Really.”
Then she pulled his hand to her heart, and the warmth of it radiated throughout her whole body. “I gave you my heart, Joshua. Because you taught me that giving away pieces of it … just makes it bigger. I know that if we’re lucky enough to have children, their hearts will be a beautiful blend of yours and mine. What could be more magical than that?”
“Nothing.” He pulled her close, kissing her as snowflakes fell all around them. “Nothing could possibly be more magical than that.”
ALSO BY
MAGGIE MCGINNIS
Forever This Time
Snowflake Wishes (novella)
Coming soon …
Don’t miss the next Echo Lake novel by USA Today bestselling author
Maggie McGinnis
SHE’S GOT A WAY
Available in September 2016 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
About the Author
Maggie McGinnis is a USA Today bestselling author and Golden Heart Finalist who lives in New England, vastly outnumbered by both children and cats. She writes sweet romances set in Montana and Vermont, and feels extremely fortunate that through her books, she gets to fall in love every single day. She’s a sucker for romantic comedies, popcorn, and the perfect green pen, and if she wasn’t an author, she’d totally be rocking a Nashville club in her pink cowgirl boots. It’s probably good that she embraced the author thing, because her singing skills are better suited to the shower, and really? Pink cowgirl boots?
Visit: www.maggiemcginnis.com. Or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
Also by Maggie McGinnis
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
HEART LIKE MINE
Copyright © 2016 by Maggie McGinnis.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781466877887
Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
edition / April 2016
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
Heart Like Mine Page 31