by Tif Marcelo
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“Is everything good?” Joel asks from the bottom of the stairs.
I descend to the first step so we’re at eye level and lay my arms on his shoulders. I press my lips on his, feel my body melt against him. This is one of many kisses to come, one of many memories to make.
And as if it could, my heart triples in size. By now, it must encapsulate my entire torso. “Everything is absolutely perfect,” I whisper.
Joel’s fingers climb up my back. His lips turn up. “God, I love you.”
I squelch the squeal threatening to burst from my lips. “I love you.”
“So, what’s on your route?” Mr. Kanecky asks.
Joel keeps a hand around my waist and with the other pulls a business card from his pocket. He hands it to Mr. Kanecky. “We’re hitting all the national parks. Besides our YouTube channel, Victoria will be blogging, so I hope you can keep up with us.”
“What’s your first stop?”
“Yosemite . . . but after that, it’s wherever the compass takes us.”
“You guys are brave to go at this full-time.”
I turn to Joel to gauge his reaction about our unpredictable future: the inevitable twists and turns, the wonderful surprises. And his eyes reflect my anticipation. That we have this newfound chance to give this relationship all we’ve got.
Because what I’ve learned from being on the road, from trusting my gut and learning to love again, is that every ending is really just another beginning. It’s another opportunity to restart your life, to change your course. But as long as you’re with people you love, the people you trust, it’s one glorious adventure.
“It’s not bravery,” I say, with not a single doubt in my mind. “It’s a journey to the heart.”
Sweet BBQ Rub
The best cook among my siblings and me is my brother JR. He can smoke meat with the best of ’em! Here’s one of his tried-and-true recipes.
Base:
8 parts brown sugar
2 parts kosher salt
1 part paprika
The measurement is in “parts” to give you the best flexibility on how much you need to make for the amount of meat you need to season. My brother has been known to use shot glasses in a pinch.
From this base, you may now add seasoning. You can make the seasoning to your taste, and as long as the base is made true, then you can’t go wrong! Combinations include: cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic, black pepper, and chili powder, garlic, and herb mix.
An easy go-to seasoning:
1/2 part garlic powder
1/2 part Old Bay Seasoning
Generously cover the meat with the rub, and cook as directed. Glaze with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Acknowledgments
Thank you, reader, for taking Vic and Joel into your heart! This third book was born of an experience that I’ve only just begun to share, and I’m so grateful for your acceptance and love. My deepest thanks to bloggers and reviewers who’ve taken the time to shout my books from the rooftops! I am indebted to you.
Kate Dresser, who knows exactly how to extract the truth without hindering my voice: I learn so much from each and every round of edits, and I’m so grateful my journey led me to you. Rachel Brooks: for your lightning-fast emails, encouragement, and confidence in me. To the crew at Pocket Star/S&S—Molly Gregory, Theresa Dooley, Christine Masters, Crissie Johnson Molina, and the rest of the team: THANK YOU!!!
My muscle whenever I needed the boost, especially for this book: April, Stephanie, Rachel, Annie, and Sidney. Thanks for fielding my whining and Will I finish this? moments. #5amwritersclub, my no-fail early-morning support system. My early readers: Mae O’Donnell and Kathleen Reburiano, for my shared Fil-Am, California girl experiences. Aaron Leong of 4th Wall Productions for your videography advice: Thank you for your patience!
My resilient Fabulous Four: know that the trajectory of success is never a straight line, and hope is at every turn in the road. And finally, to Greg, who came after the heartbreak: it was all worth it to get to you.
Don't miss the other books in Tif Marcelo's JOURNEY TO THE HEART series!
When an entrepreneur and an Army reservist end up in their own reality show fauxmance, they have to decide whether their love exists just for the cameras . . . or if it’s for real.
East in Paradise
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In this warmhearted and charming debut, a food truck chef and her long-lost Army love clash when they cross paths in San Francisco.
North to You
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ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!
About the Author
TIF MARCELO believes in and writes about heart-eyes romance, the strength of families, and the endurance of friendship. A craft enthusiast and food lover, Tif is a veteran Army nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Public Administration, and is inspired daily by her own military hero and four children.
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Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Tif-Marcelo
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Also by Tif Marcelo
North to You
East in Paradise
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Pocket Star Books
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by Tiffany Johnson
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First Pocket Star Books ebook edition December 2017
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Interior design by Laura Levatino
Cover images © kittipong053/Shutterstock (couple); © gabriel_bostan/Getty Images (RV)
ISBN 978-1-5011-6950-2