by Helen Lacey
Her heart skipped a beat. What did that mean? “You’re not making sense, and I really don’t want to make a scene here in the hotel foyer.”
“I need to say something,” he said, swallowing convulsively. “To you. Right now.”
Connie stayed still...and waited.
“I met you in this hotel eleven months ago,” he said quietly. “And I behaved badly. So I’d like to go back to that day and start over.” He took a long breath, almost as though it was the hardest he’d ever inhaled. “Hi...my name is Jonah. I’m thirty years old and I’m an architect. My mother’s name is Kathleen, my father’s name is J.D. I have three older brothers and a sister who tragically passed away a few years ago. I also have several nieces and nephews, and I’m pretty sure there’ll be more of those on the way at some point. My whole family lives in Cedar River,” he said, his voice cracking. “It’s a nice town...a good place to settle down, get married, have a family.”
Connie eyes heated instantly. “Jonah... I...”
“I’m in love with you, Connie.”
His words were the sweetest she had ever heard. And probably the hardest he had ever said. And he’d said them in a public place, with his family watching. His family. Public acknowledgment. There was no going back from that. She moved over to him, reached up to touch his face and kissed him.
“I love you, too,” she whispered and then his arms were around her.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Liam smiling, saw him and the rest of the family huddled close, and everyone was clearly delighted. Then she only saw Jonah. So strong and familiar. Everything she wanted.
“I need to ask you a question,” he said against her mouth.
Connie heart soared. “Not here. Let’s go upstairs.”
“Good,” he said and laughed softly. “I think I’ve made a big enough fool out of myself today. You know I’m never going to hear the end of this from my brothers, don’t you?”
“They came to support you?”
He nodded. “I needed all the help I can get.”
She grabbed his hand turned to his family. “We’ll be in my office.”
They all laughed and headed for the restaurant, and Connie quickly forgot all about them as she and Jonah took the elevator upstairs. One they were in her office, she closed the door and pressed her back against it.
“I got your note,” he said and smiled.
“I might have gotten a little carried away that night,” she said and made no protest when he led her to the sofa by the window. “It was either write a note or cry myself to sleep.”
He winced. “I’m so sorry. The last thing I ever want to do is make you cry.”
She fought back tears. “You said you loved me.”
“Get used to that,” he said and drew her closer. “I do love you, more than I can say.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” she teased. “I think you say it pretty well. But you also said you had to ask me a question.”
“I do,” he said and grasped her hands tightly in his. “Do I need to get on one knee for this? What’s the modern-day protocol? I’ve never done this before.”
She laughed happily. “No knees required,” she assured him. “The hand-holding is all I need.”
He grinned and pulled a small box from his jacket with his free hand. Then he took a long and unsteady breath. “Connie Bedford...will you marry me?”
Her heart expanded again, and she experienced an intense surge of joy. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
He laughed and flipped open the box, revealing a beautiful diamond solitaire. “So, I take it that’s a yes?”
She flung herself against him and accepted his kiss. And his ring. It fit perfectly.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” he said and held her. “Inside and out.”
“What made you change your—”
“You,” he said, cutting her off. “Your note. Realizing that you came to Portland even though I’d been stupid enough to let you go once. You are gutsy and strong and I am humbled that you love me, Connie. Honestly, I can’t believe my luck.”
“It’s not luck,” she said and melted. “You are the most amazing man I have ever met.”
He looked skeptical. “Hmm. Arrogant. Opinionated. Judgmental. I’ve called you a fool. A doormat. A—”
“Okay,” she said and waved a hand. “I get the picture. You have been a jerk. But in a way, you were right. I think until I met you, I did let people take advantage of me a little.”
“People?”
She sighed. “Okay... Liam. And maybe J.D. But not in a bad way.”
“I know,” he assured her gently. “I know Liam and my dad care about you.”
“Dad?”
He shrugged and smiled ruefully. “I gave up the fight.”
“I’m so glad. And immensely proud. It took a lot of courage.”
“No,” he said, kissing her cheek. “You’re the courageous one. And it probably takes a whole lot of courage to love me.”
“Not at all.”
She smiled, so happy she was ready to burst. “So, where are we going to live? Portland?”
“Not a chance,” he replied and grinned. “You’re here. That’s where I want to be.”
She laughed and then said more soberly, “But your career? How will you—”
“We’ll work something out,” he promised. “And truthfully, I want to be here, in Cedar River. I want us to raise our kids here.”
“Kids?”
His brows shot up. “Isn’t that part of this deal?”
“You bet. Want to start practicing?”
He laughed. “Absolutely, Miss Bedford.”
And then he kissed her.
Epilogue
“How are you holding up?”
Jonah looked at his father, dressed in a suit almost identical to the one he wore, a small flower in the lapel. “I’m okay. You?”
J.D. grinned broadly. “Great. Never better. Today’s a good day.”
Jonah nodded. “Who would have thought?”
“Sometimes the planets align just long enough for us to make the smart decisions.”
“Have you been reading Mom’s astrology books or something?” he teased and laughed.
“The things a man will do for love.”
Jonah laughed again. His father was right. He’d made a few big decisions in the past four months. Quitting his job in Portland. Joining a small but progressive firm in Rapid City. Selling his apartment. Buying a house halfway between that town and Cedar River so they could both commute, with a big yard for her dogs. And several rooms that would hopefully one day be occupied by their children. Connie had made it very clear she wanted more than one, and he was only too happy to oblige.
Yeah...his life certainly had changed.
But Jonah wouldn’t have it any other way.
He would give Connie the moon and the stars if he could. Thankfully, she insisted she was content with his love and devotion.
“I’m really proud of you,” J.D. said and hugged him.
Jonah didn’t resist. His resisting days were over. It had been a long road. One fraught with rage and bitterness and one that left him with more than a few regrets. But over time, he was sure, the regrets would fade.
“When you two decide to stop hugging,” Liam said from the doorway, “you might want to remember that we have a wedding to get to.”
Jonah pulled back and laughed. He didn’t mind Liam so much these days. His oldest brother was still a pain in the ass, but he was also a good and honorable man. The kind of man Jonah wanted as a friend as well as a brother. And he liked Kieran a lot. Sean was still pretty cold, but maybe he’d mellow down the road.
The ceremony was taking place in a small chapel in town, and the reception was at the hotel. Nothin
g too fancy, just as the bride had insisted. Jonah grabbed his keys and straightened his jacket, noticing that J.D. was lingering by the window.
“Dad,” he said, the word now part of his vocabulary. “You coming?”
J.D. smiled, moisture plumping in the crinkles at the corner of his eyes. “Absolutely.”
They walked out together and met Kieran and Sean in the hallway—they were dressed in the same penguin suits, sans ties. The drive to the chapel in Liam’s Silverado was filled with laughter and dissing and a closeness Jonah had come to value more than he’d believed possible.
The white chapel, with its tall steeple and wide-open doors, was welcoming and filled with about thirty close friends and family. Jonah stood by the altar, his father at his side, and he noticed J.D. was tugging at his collar. Music started, an old instrumental number that made him smile.
Until he spotted Connie by the doors. She began walking down the aisle, her gaze connected to his. She looked so beautiful in her shell-pink gown, flowers crowning her head, the smile on her face only for him. Every ounce of love he felt for her rose up and hit him squarely in the chest. She arrived at the altar, taking her place, and then their attention moved back toward the rear of the church.
The bride had arrived.
Jonah had never seen his mother look more beautiful. In her ivory lace gown and short veil she was a vision, glowing with joy and love for the man she was about to take as her husband.
His parents were getting married.
It was up there as one of the happiest moments of his life.
* * *
Connie really did love weddings. And this one more than any other she’d ever been a part of or helped organize. Kathleen truly was a dream bride, and she had never seen a more devoted groom than J.D.
The reception was going off without a hitch. There had a been a few speeches, one from J.D., who had an obvious tear in his eyes when spoke about his bride. Liam had made his own speech, and then Jonah had spoken about his parents with such heartfelt respect and affection, she couldn’t have been prouder.
By the time the cake was cut and the dancing started, more than a few tears had been shed.
“Hey,” Jonah said and came up behind her, wrapping a protective arm around her waist. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you look?”
Connie turned in his arms. “Once or twice. You don’t look so bad yourself. And your mom looks so lovely. She made such a beautiful bride.”
“So will you,” he said and kissed the corner of her mouth.
Their wedding was planned for the summer, giving Connie plenty of time to plan and make the day as memorable as possible. The ring on her finger sparkled, and she experienced an acute and consuming wave of love for the man in front of her.
The past few months had been a whirlwind. Jonah had moved his life to South Dakota, Connie was loving her new job and once the wedding was over, she planned on getting serious about making a baby with her new husband.
“I think you owe me a dance, Mr. Rickard.”
“I believe I do, Miss Bedford,” he said and smiled as he twirled her around, leading her to the dance floor.
Once she was in his arms, Connie relaxed against him. “Do you remember the last time we danced at a wedding?”
“You stepped on my toe.”
“I did not!”
He chuckled. “You did.”
“You were mean to me,” she reminded him cheekily.
“But you saw right through me,” he said, nuzzling her jaw discreetly. “You did from the moment we met.”
She shrugged. “I knew you were mush under that moody exterior.”
He smiled warmly. “You know, I’ve been thinking about the whole Rickard versus O’Sullivan thing. Once we have a baby, the names might be confusing...so I was thinking that maybe it’s time I...” His voice trailed off and she sensed he was very uncomfortable about what he was saying.
So she helped him. “You want to change your name?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know... I was only thinking.”
“You could,” she said tactfully. “But don’t do it for anyone but yourself. You are who you are. The name you go by doesn’t change that. I will take whatever name you have... Rickard or O’Sullivan. It’s you I love...not your name.”
He held her tight. “I love you, Connie. You’re the best person I have ever known. I’m so glad you’re going to marry me.”
Her insides clenched. “I’m glad, too. I can’t wait.”
“Not long now,” he reminded her.
“So much has changed,” she remarked, swaying against him, oblivious to everyone and everything else in the room.
“Change is good,” he affirmed. “Look at my parents.”
She held him tightly. “I’m so proud of you for making peace with your dad. They love you.”
“I love them,” he replied. “Both of them. I’m even starting to get used to having brothers. And if it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I would ever have been able to admit that. You make me a better man, Connie. And I am truly humbled that you are going to be at my side for the rest of my life.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said on a sigh, loving his strength and his integrity. “And maybe later,” she said and wound her hands up his shoulders, “we could go home and practice some more of that baby making.”
He kissed her deeply, getting good-natured catcalls from Liam and Kieran. “It’s a date.”
Connie smiled, loving him and knowing she had everything she had ever dreamed of.
And more.
* * * * *
Catch the previous books in Helen Lacey’s miniseries
The Cedar River Cowboys:
Married to the Mom-to-Be
The Rancher’s Unexpected Family
A Kiss, a Dance & a Diamond
Available now from Harlequin Special Edition!
And look for Helen’s contribution to the new
Fortunes of Texas series,
coming in 2019!
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Cottages on Silver Beach by RaeAnne Thayne.
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Keep reading for a sneak peek at the latest entry in New York Times bestselling author
RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series,
The Cottages on Silver Beach, the story of a disgraced FBI agent, his best frien
d’s sister and the loss that affected the trajectory of both their lives, available July 2018 wherever HQN books
and ebooks are sold!
The Cottages on Silver Beach
by RaeAnne Thayne
CHAPTER ONE
SOMEONE WAS TRYING to bust into the cottage next door.
Only minutes earlier, Megan Hamilton had been minding her own business, sitting on her front porch, gazing out at the stars and enjoying the peculiar quiet sweetness of a late-May evening on Lake Haven. She had earned this moment of peace after working all day at the inn’s front desk then spending the last four hours at her computer, editing photographs from Joe and Lucy White’s fiftieth anniversary party the weekend before.
Her neck was sore, her shoulders tight, and she simply wanted to savor the purity of the evening with her dog at her feet.
Unfortunately, her moment of Zen had lasted only sixty seconds before her little ancient pug, Cyrus, sat up, gazed out into the darkness and gave one small harrumphing noise before settling back down again to watch as a vehicle pulled up to the cottage next door.
Cyrus had become used to the comings and goings of their guests in the two years since he and Megan moved into the cottage after the inn’s renovations were finished. She would venture to say her pudgy little dog seemed to actually enjoy the parade of strangers who invariably stopped to greet him.
The man next door wasn’t aware of her presence, though, or that of her little pug. He was too busy trying to work the finicky lock—not an easy feat as the task typically took two hands and one of his appeared to be attached to an arm tucked into a sling.
She should probably go help him. He was obviously struggling one-handed, unable to turn the key and twist the knob at the same time.
Beyond common courtesy, there was another compelling reason she should probably get off her porch swing and assist him. He was a guest of the inn, which meant he was yet one more responsibility on her shoulders. She knew the foibles of that door handle well, since she owned the door, the porch, the house and the land that it sat on, here at Silver Beach on Lake Haven, part of the extensive grounds of the Inn at Haven Point.
She didn’t want to help him. She wanted to stay right here hidden in shadows, trying to pretend he wasn’t there. Maybe this was all a bad dream and she wouldn’t be stuck with him for the next three weeks.