“My pleasure. Now go.” Sela practically pushed her out the car door.
Dress in hand, Erin stepped backward up her walk to watch Sela drive away. She had barely blinked when the car disappeared from view.
She wheeled around, puzzled by Sela’s behavior and deciding to give her sister-in-law exactly twenty minutes to call and say she was home. Home. Erin breathed in the clean mountain air and let her mind wander to what having a home filled with a husband and children might feel like.
Her heart beat miserably inside her chest before she took another deep breath and dug her keys out of her bag. Huh. Her key slid in the lock and turned without the usual click. She opened the door.
And all the air rushed out of her lungs. She stepped into the entryway and swayed.
“Whoa,” Troy said, hurrying forward and sliding his arms around her waist. “Don’t you even think about passing out on me.”
She let her bag and dress fall to the floor and put her hands on his chest. The pounding there reverberated up her arms. He was nervous. And holy goodness, so gorgeous in a crisp white shirt and black dress pants, she wanted to stare at him all day. His face, freshly shaved, lips drawn in a sexy smile and eyes sparkling like a galaxy lay behind them, made the week since she’d seen him feel like an eternity.
He took her hand and led her to the middle of the room. Large vases filled with flowers the color of sea glass sat all over the place. She let her gaze fall on each and every one before she dared to look at the pictures on the walls and propped up on furniture.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi,” she whispered back.
“How was shopping?”
“Guh-good. Sela bought me a dress.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” His eyes stayed focused on hers. Eyes that said so much her legs wobbled.
“How did you… What is all—”
“This is what I should’ve done the second I fell in love with you.”
Her heart stopped. He loved her. He loved her!
She wiped at the corner of her eye. Not because she was about to cry. She was not.
“Erin,” he said. “I’m addicted to you in every way. And I want the chance to be with you. You are hands down the most courageous woman I know and if you’ll take a chance on me I won’t ever let you down. I’ll give you everything you never had.”
He let go of her hand and gestured around the room. “This is me, asking a risk-taker like you to trust me. To let me love you until I take my last breath.”
A tear slid down her cheek, her bottom lip quivered. Holy wonderful shit. She looked at the black-and-white photographs decorating the room. Troy skydiving. Troy hang gliding. Troy bungee jumping.
“You did all these things for me?”
“These were my last solo flights. From now on I want to wing everything with you and only you.”
He’d definitely gotten over his fear of heights, and pride welled inside her over her role in that. His rich, deep voice told her he’d also gotten over his fear of being with someone who might not always play it safe. He’d fought his fears for her.
Decided to fight for her.
“You were what I needed to set me free,” he said. “Life has no guarantees, but my life has no meaning if you’re not in it.”
She took in the other photos, another tear trickling down her face. Troy at the beach holding a football. Troy standing on the bridge at Cascade Falls. Troy in his uniform outside the Crown & Anchor. And lastly, a picture Luke had taken of the two of them sitting by the fireplace at her parents’ house. She was laughing and looking somewhere off camera while Troy had his eyes on her.
Pictures that covered him and her.
He put his hands on her cheeks, his thumbs wiping away her tears with tenderness. “I love you, Erin.”
“I…” God, she was so overwhelmed with emotion, she could barely get the words out. “I love you, too. So, so much. But are you sure? Really sure? Because I understand, Troy. I understand how you feel. I was scared out of my mind knowing you were doing that mountain rescue. I couldn’t stop thinking about you and if you were safe and how you handled it and—”
“Shh. It’s okay. I’m okay.”
She swiped under her eye, cleared her throat. “Thank God.” She glanced around again. “I can’t believe you did all this for me.”
“I’m not through yet.” He got down on one knee and pulled a tiny black velvet box out of his pants pocket.
Erin sucked in a breath as he took her left hand. She trembled, so overcome with love for this man and so surprised by what he was about to do. He drew in a deep breath and smiled up at her.
“You’re it for me,” he said. “I love you with everything I have inside me and no one will ever love you as much as I do. Marry me?” He opened the box.
Happiness flooded her. She brought her fingers to her mouth and took a shaky breath. The most beautiful diamond ring sat in the box, but that wasn’t what got her. It was the fierce fight-for-you expression on Troy’s face that made her so giddy she wanted to freeze this moment in time. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He jumped up, a grin so big and beautiful on his face. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I love you,” she said again.
Their kisses deepened as he drew her tighter against his body. They fit together perfectly, their bodies lining up so she felt his desire for her. Tingles built in the juncture of her thighs and when he groaned softly, she needed and wanted to get them both naked.
They parted on short, harsh gasps.
He took the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger. She stretched her arm out and flexed her hand. Her breath caught in her throat. “It’s beautiful.”
“I’m looking at the most beautiful thing in my world,” he said, his intense dark eyes heart-stopping gorgeous.
She reached out and undid the top button of his dress shirt. “What did you have in mind next?”
“I’d rather show you.” He scooped her up and carried her down the hall.
“I’d like that.” She undid the next button.
“Good, because I plan to show you every day for at least the next sixty years.” He pushed open her bedroom door with his hip and tossed her onto the bed.
She bounced and scooted back. He covered her body with his, then he reached over to her nightstand and dangled a pair of handcuffs from his fingers.
The handcuffs she’d gotten at Vanessa’s bachelorette party and pulled out of her drawer to toss in the trash this morning. Only she’d put them down and forgotten.
“You planning to use those?” she asked, warmth spreading from deep in her womb.
“Thought I might.” His deep, rough voice washed over her and she tingled with excitement.
“I think that’s a good idea.” She smiled up at him. Then when his mouth brushed hers, she whispered, “Thank you.”
He lifted slightly and knit his brows together.
“For making my secret wish of falling in love come true.”
“I’m going to make all your wishes come true.” He pressed light kisses to her jawline, her neck. “Starting right now.”
For the first time in her life, she had no doubt.
CASCADE GAZETTE
Extra!
January 1
Happy New Year!
Talk of secret wishes coming true is spreading like wildfire.
With tourism at an all-time high this past holiday season,
Will spring fever continue to bring extra zing?
Locals, young and old, are happy the
“Promise of Love” moniker has befallen our seaside town.
And we say “pfftt” to something in the water…
It’s called good old-fashioned congeniality and hospitality.
The more frequent visits to the wishing well might’ve helped too.
Rumor has it, this is the year of weddings and babies.
Whatever happens…rest assured, you’ll hear it here first!
* * *
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Acknowledgments
Thank you… Two little words that I want to magnify times a million for my awesome editors, Wendy Chen and Stacy Abrams. I am so lucky to have you guys and grateful for all you do for me. From the bottom of my heart, thanks a million!
Thank you Debbie Suzuki, Alycia Tornetta, and Jessica Cantor, for all the Bliss love and support. Thank you to fellow Bliss authors, Roxanne Snopek and Paula Altenburg for your wonderful friendship and for being so smart and teaching me a few things at the same time you make me laugh. Special thanks to Samanthe Beck and Hayson Manning. You guys are truly a gift and I’m wishing hard for a trip to Australia in our future, Sam! To Karen/Monica, thanks so much for being a great friend and helping to make this book even more special.
To my hubby and sons, thank you for filling every day with love and laughs. I am so blessed to call you mine. To my mom, thank you for teaching me the things that really matter and for always rooting me on.
And lastly, huge thanks to my readers. Your kind words and support mean the world to me and I’m so very grateful. A special shout-out to Elena and Rachel, whose generosity and warmheartedness always make my day.
About the Author
Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband, two sons, and crazy-cute mini Labradoodle, Harry. When not attached to her laptop, she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. She also loves to run, hike, and dip her toes in the ocean. Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure it’s real. She is also the author of Kissing the Maid of Honor, as well as Risky Surrender, Worth the Risk, and Yours At Midnight from Entangled’s Ever After line.
Visit her online:
robinbielman.com
@RobinBielman
Facebook.com/robinbielman
Goodreads.com/robinbielman
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Other Books by Robin Bielman
Kissing the Maid of Honor
a Secret Wishes novel
Sela Sullivan is resolved to be the best maid of honor ever, even if it means tolerating the best man. Arrogant Luke Watters is not only the guy who humiliated her at a kissing booth in high school, but he also happens to be her best friend’s older brother. Luke can’t deny Sela inspires a passion he’s never known, but can he prove to the maid of honor he’s become a man of honor?
Her Accidental Boyfriend
a Secret Wishes novel
Worth the Risk
a Take a Risk novella
Risky Surrender
a Take a Risk novella
Yours at Midnight
If you love friends falling in love, check out these Entangled releases…
Speaking of Love
a Perfect Kisses novel by Ophelia London
Successful matchmaker Mackenzie Simms decides to find a woman for her friend, handsome newspaper tycoon Rick Duffy. Though they’ve been each other’s go-to dates for the past month, Mac and Rick couldn’t be more different. But on the double-date getaway to Rick’s family cabin, neither expect the new feelings that develop. Can Mac ‘fess up to what’s really in her heart when speaking her mind puts everything at risk?
Stealing the Groom
a Stealing the Heart novel by Sonya Weiss
There’s no way Amelia Snyder is going to let her best bud Chad marry Mean Girl #1. But Amelia’s at-the-altar groomnapping scheme takes a surprising turn when she ends up as the blushing bride instead. Chad’s always been strictly anti-risk and definitely anti-love, and betting a lifetime of best friendship on the chance at forever might be the biggest gamble of all.
Last Chance Proposal
by Barb DeLeo
Cy Hathaway needs a wife to win custody of his son. He returns home to discover his childhood sweetheart has become a vibrant, beautiful woman. Even though wanting to sweep her off her feet wasn’t part of the plan... For Ellie, Cy’s reappearance awakens a flood of memories—and resentments for the way he’d abandoned her years ago. But she has a life now, a career. She can’t simply get hitched, even if the sight of him still makes her heart race.
Just My Luck
a Shamrock Falls novel by Kelley Vitollo
Betsy Harris has always known Jace Macnamara was off limits. He’s a close friend, plus her boss—making him doubly forbidden. Jace just found out he needs a wife now, but he never dreamed of settling down for real. Neither Betsy nor Jace wants to ruin their friendship when their fake marriage inevitably ends, but Jace begins to see his “wife” for the beautiful, caring woman she is. Can he risk their past for a future together?
Fake Fiancé, Real Revenge
a Three River Ranch novel by Roxanne Snopek
In order for Mitchell Granger to secure a lucrative real-estate deal with an eccentric client, he told the teeny white lie that he was engaged…and now he needs to prove it. Sabrina doesn’t mind posing as Mitch’s fake fiancée. She’s got a plan to exact revenge on her first love, the boy who left her and Three River Ranch behind. But will both Mitch’s and Sabrina’s grand plans get derailed by love?
Check out Bliss’s newest releases...
Resisting the Rancher
a Three River Ranch novel by Roxanne Snopek
Country veterinarian Celia Gamble is in trouble. A misunderstanding from her past is rearing its ugly head and the only person she can turn to is Jonah Clarke—her family’s lawyer and, as it turns out, her brother Zach’s best friend and her childhood crush. She always wanted Jonah to see her as a bona fide woman, but as a woman who’s being wrongfully blackmailed for seducing a married man? Not on her life. And Jonah must resist Celia or lose the only true family he’s ever known.
Fiance by Fate
an Anyone But You novel by Jennifer Shirk
Sabrina Cassidy believes in fate. So when her fiancé breaks off their engagement, she’s convinced they’ll get back together eventually. But fate was not on her side when it brought Jack Brenner into her life—and work. Frustrating, gorgeous, and cocky, Jack has an offer that Sabrina can’t refuse. Not if it means getting the life she’s always imagined. Sabrina’s still hung up on her ex, and Jack will never settle down. But fate has other ideas…
Her Summer with the Marine
a Donovan Brothers novel by Susan Meier
The last person Ellie McDermott wanted to run into after returning to her hometown is Finn Donovan, her high school nemesis and the guy she crossed the line from enemies to lovers with one night years ago. Now ex-military, tattooed, and still sexy as hell, Finn is a complication Ellie doesn’t need—she needs to concentrate on saving her family business. Acting on their attraction is one thing, but Finn has to turn a profit to save his own family, and nothing—not even love—will get in his way.
Love Songs for the Road
by Farrah Taylor
The only thing rock star Marcus Troy loves more than making music is his kids. So finding just the right nanny to take on tour with them is important—as is proving to his ex he deserves joint custody. Falling for his employee wouldn’t just be fodder for the paparazzi: it could ruin everything. Too bad the perfect nanny turns out to be beautiful, vibrant Ryan Evans. When the whole world’s watching them, will life in the spotlight be too hot to handle?
Falling for Her Soldier
a Perfect Kisses novel by Ophelia London
Ex-ballerina Ellie Bell has twenty-four days left
until her self-imposed man-less year is up. No more falling for the wrong kind of guy—charming, sexy, bad. Then she meets Hunter, whose muscles and cocky smile threaten to have her relapsing. Before Charlie “Big Game Hunter” Johansson’s last tour of duty, he’d gone through women like crazy. But after connecting on a real, emotional level via letters with his best friend’s sister, Charlie’s ready for a relationship—with Ellie Bell. Can he convince her to fall for the real him before it’s too late?
Resisting the Hero
an Accidentally in Love novel by Cindi Madsen
Faith Fitzpatrick isn’t looking for a hero. Burned one too many times in the past, she’s now sworn them off completely. And when her brother’s best friend, Connor, convinces him to join the dangerous SWAT team, Faith has never been more anti-hero. What’s wrong with having a safe job? There’s nothing safe about Connor. Confident, sexy, and sporting a six-pack that should be illegal, he’s everything she doesn’t want. But the more time Connor spends with Faith, the more he’s willing to risk the wrath of her brother. If he could only convince her to take a risk on him, too.
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