Time And Tide: A Summertime Novella
Page 8
“I'd like that. A lot.” He touched her hair, something she'd never get tired of.
Then she sighed. “My mother. . .well, she called me on the way home last night. She told me something I need to make sure of. Before we are a 'we.'”
“What's that?”
“She doesn't want me to rush into anything. I understand what she means. Especially since there's a child involved. I love Trista. I never want to hurt her. I don’t want to be with you if there's a chance. . .how do I say this?” It was all coming out wrong. She knew she wanted to be here, in this very spot, and nowhere else. The little nudges from God had helped her along this winding path that led back to Brodie.
“Your mother is wise.” He took her by the hand. “We can take our time, for sure. You do realize, we've never been on a first date?”
She stopped on the trail. “You're right. I don't want to count the barbecue.”
“We have a lot to catch up on.”
“That we do.” She continued walking again. “And we have time.”
“That we do,” he echoed back. “Are you ready to walk this path with me, together, and see what's in store for us?'
“Yes, Brodie Reed, most definitely yes.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“I love you.”
She'd never forget the sound of those words. “And I love you.” She smiled at him. “Let's go back and see Trista with her pony.”
“Karyn Lewis, that's an excellent idea.”
Epilogue
The following May
Karyn clutched her bouquet, even as the surf nearby roared in her ears. She wiggled her freshly manicured toes in the sand.
Trista, her flower girl, smiled back at her from where she stood at the edge of the beach walk. “Oh, Miss Karyn, I'm so excited. Today, you get to become my Mommy here. I'll have a mommy here, and a mommy there.”
“I'm excited too, Sweetheart,” Karyn called out to her. Mommy Here was her new nickname, one Trista had dubbed her with.
Oh, Megan, we will always miss and love you. . .
Karyn glanced at her father and tried not to let any tears escape. Not yet.
Karyn's father shook his head. “I knew one day, you'd make your mother and I grandparents. But we never imagined. . .”
“Me either, Dad, me either.” And what a journey the past ten months had been. A week ago Friday had been her last day in the fashion department in New York, and in a few weeks she planned to open the doors to her own shop, featuring beachwear for ladies of all sizes and shapes.
Her life had taken twists and turns, on this full circle, but oh what a journey it had been. Still pain over losing Megan—there would always be some pain—but seeing Trista smile at Karyn becoming part of her family helped add more healing balm to the tender spots in their hearts.
“You're sure about this?” her father asked.
“One hundred and ten percent.” They stepped up to the top of the dune path where Trista had stood, and the notes of the Wedding March, played by a string quartet, grew louder. The small group assembled on chairs facing the water rose to face them.
At the edge of the waves stood Brodie, looking relaxed and handsome in his khakis, the cuffs rolled up, topped by a white linen shirt they'd discussed before he agreed to wear it.
He smiled at her and mouthed one word. “Always.”
“Always,” she mouthed back.
THE END
If you enjoyed Time and Tide, check out Lynette's other romance novels and novellas online:
Wildfire Wedding http://amzn.to/1bIpOui
Catch A Falling Star (Lonestar Hearts, book 1) http://amzn.to/1DOkGfF
Counting on Starlight (Lonestar Hearts, book 2) http://amzn.to/1JdyoMQ
The Sweetheart of Starlight (Lonestar Hearts, book 3) http://amzn.to/1Q5bdZi
A Suspicion of Strawberries (Scents of Murder, book 1) http://amzn.to/1c0LlPC
The Wiles of Watermelon (Scents of Murder, book 2) http://amzn.to/1zyTplp
The Perils of Peaches (Scents of Murder, book 3) http://amzn.to/1bIpOui
Tempest's Course (Quilts of Love Series) http://amzn.to/1JexYpt
A Season of Change, (Seasons in Pinecraft, Book 1) http://amzn.to/1I33aLi
A Path Made Plain, (Seasons in Pinecraft, Book 2) http://amzn.to/1I33dGY
A Promise of Grace, (Seasons in Pinecraft, Book 3) http://amzn.to/1GLVvhc
A Grand Teton Sleigh Ride http://amzn.to/1EIIi9A
Sundays In Fredericksburg http://amzn.to/1EIIgi1
Spring Comes to Barncastle Inn http://amzn.to/1GARtFL