“Probably so,” he agreed, smiling into her eyes. “It’s cool, though. I believe in long engagements, so that should reassure them.”
That startled her out of her pleasant haze. “Engagement! I’ve known you less than a week.”
“I don’t want to rush you or pressure you into anything, like Darryl,” he said. “But… well, I guess there is no ‘but.’ I’ve told you what I’m hoping for. It’s your call.” His eyes without his glasses were completely guileless, his face showing his feelings so clearly that she caught her breath.
It was such a huge step. But an engagement wasn’t irrevocable, after all. And a long one would give them plenty of time to get to know each other. In all kinds of ways.
A giggle threatened to bubble up out of her throat. California didn’t seem like such a drastic step now, in hindsight—but the difference wasn’t the level of commitment. It was the guy.
“On one condition,” she said, amazed at how certain and confident she felt.
“Name it.”
She plucked a leaf from his hair. “If I want to plant a butterfly bush in our garden, you won’t take it personally.”
Laughing, he pulled her close to kiss her again. And then again. Her heart felt so light it seemed to float up and out of her body, up into the sky. Almost as if it had wings.
The End
Did you enjoy “On Shadowed Wings”? Post on Facebook to tell others what you think!
Be sure to explore all of the Ash Grove Chronicles, starting with book one, The Shadow and the Rose!
In the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, Ash Grove High School for the Performing Arts draws the brightest and most talented teens. But beneath the peaceful surface, supernatural forces are at work...
When ordinary high-school junior Joy Sumner visits a graveyard at midnight on a dare, she doesn't expect to end up sharing a kiss with brooding teen model Tanner Lindsey. And she definitely doesn’t expect to make an enemy of Tanner’s seductive, sinister mentor, the ageless supermodel Melisande—who may not be entirely human—or to find that her sleepy little corner of North Carolina is buzzing with supernatural energy.
But most unexpected of all is when Joy finds out that she’s pregnant. And when Tanner’s love for her puts his life in danger, will she be able to rescue him—and save their future together?
Bonus content: excerpt from Casting Shadows, book two in the Ash Grove Chronicles
Length: 70,000 words ~ Age level: 15 and up
Novels in The Ash Grove Chronicles:
The Shadow and the Rose
Casting Shadows
Among the Shadows
Explore the magical world of Ash Grove and enjoy extras at amandadewees.com and Facebook.com/TheAshGroveChronicles.
Also by Amanda DeWees: Sea of Secrets, a captivating gothic romance
After her brother is killed in 1855 in the Crimean War, innocent young Oriel Pembroke finds herself alone in the world. Disowned by the cruel father who has always despised her, she takes shelter with the former Duchess of Ellsworth, who has scandalized society by remarrying soon after her first husband’s death. At the opulent seaside estate of Ellsmere, Oriel thinks she has found a safe haven—but the darkly handsome young duke, Herron, believes otherwise. Haunted by the death of his father, he suspects that Ellsmere is sheltering a murderer.
Even as Oriel falls in love with the duke, she begins to fear that his grief and suspicion are turning to madness. When dangerous accidents start to befall both Herron and Oriel, however, she realizes that someone may be trying to stop them from discovering the truth about the past. And when her father comes back into her life, she learns that he may hold the answer to the most horrifying secret of all…
Length: 110,000 words ~ Sensuality level: mild/sweet
Ebook bonus content: Book club discussion questions
About the Author
Award-winning author Amanda DeWees received her PhD in English literature from the University of Georgia and likes to startle people by announcing that her dissertation topic was vampire literature. Amanda’s books include the widely praised historical gothic romance Sea of Secrets, winner of the 2012 RONE award in mystery, and the Ash Grove Chronicles, a captivating young adult “paranormal lite” romance series set in modern-day North Carolina. Besides writing, Amanda’s passions include theater, classic film, Ioan Gruffudd, costume design, and the preservation of apostrophes in their natural habitat. Visit her at amandadewees.com for book extras and other delightful diversions.
On Shadowed Wings (An Ash Grove Short Story) Page 5