…
Kennedy held her breath and waited to speak the words she’d planned so carefully. “I never expected you to understand the depth of my anguish after I lost Brianna. I blamed myself. The world. The heavens.” She bit her lower lip. “You.”
A muscle twitched in Zach’s cheek. His arms tightened around her. “You had every right,” he said. “I wasn’t there when you needed me most. Please tell me you forgive me for all of the pain then and now. I’d rather spend a lifetime with you and never have children than lose you again.”
“I do forgive you,” she said. “But it’s too late.”
His beautiful cocoa colored eyes filled with the sorrow she’d carried in her heart for days, months, years. Her heart turned over and a lump lodged in her throat. He thought she was going to say no. When all she’d ever wanted and yearned for was a lifetime with him.
The clattering of forks and knives on china faded. Nothing mattered but the man standing in front of her. Kennedy lifted her finger from his lips and caressed his cheek.
“I’m pregnant.”
A myriad of emotions crossed the planes of his handsome face. Joy, fear, elation, doubt. “How?” He tightened his embrace.
“The usual way.”
“But we were careful.”
“Apparently not careful enough,” she said, pressing her hand on her belly.
He looked down at her abdomen and back into her eyes. Concern tracked lines across his brow. “How many weeks?” he asked.
“Four.”
He raked his hand through his curling hair. “Oh, God. Are you okay? Is the baby okay? What do you want to do?”
Kennedy heard the anxiety and fright in his voice. And hope. Hope for her and the child she carried. Her heart fluttered and warmth spread throughout her body. A small measure of happiness skipped over her internal dread.
“I’m fine. So far the baby is doing well. And I want to do everything possible to make sure our child arrives safely.” She hugged him, and turned her face to look up at him. “But I won’t lie. I’m scared.”
“I only know of one way to hold off the fear,” he said. “And that’s with love. That’s how Michael faces the ALS. That’s how we’ll face what’s to come in the future.” He cupped her face in his powerful hands and brushed his full lips against hers. “We can’t control everything, but we can love each other and help each other get through whatever happens.”
“I’m hanging up my hardhat and taking off my construction boots.” She laced her fingers into his. “I’m taking every precaution.”
“This time you won’t have to do it alone.” He pulled her closer. “You’re not going through any part of this pregnancy without me. Where I go, you’ll follow. Where you go, I’ll follow. If the worst happens, we’ll get through it with each other.”
Kennedy rested her cheek on the solid wall of his muscular chest. She heard his strong heart pounding. For the first time in days she relaxed, secure in the knowledge that she’d never be alone as long as she had Zach’s protection and love.
She held his hand to her belly and covered it with hers. “Starting now?”
“This baby will know love for as long as we have her in our lives.” His palm splayed possessively across her stomach.
“Or him,” she whispered, allowing herself the dream of the tiny life within her womb to become real.
The ballroom’s chatter and low music hushed. She looked into his eyes. They gleamed black as night. Slowly, he lowered his head and planted his full mouth on hers, sealing her lips.
He kissed her with the fever of a man who’d finally found refuge. Heat filled her and her bones turned molten. She clung to him, knowing that this time they’d entered into a new bargain. One filled with love, hope, and commitment through good times and bad.
Alone, they would falter.
Together, they could fly over any obstacle.
Kennedy registered tinkling stemware, clapping and cheering. Slowly, the cacophony burst through her bubble, making her giggle before ending their connection.
“We’ve got an audience,” she said, stroking a curl off his brow and grinning.
Zach’s smile lit his face, creasing the corners of his eyes. “I’m not finished entertaining them.”
She gave him a sideways glance and quirked her brow. “What are you up to?”
“It’s about the ring.”
She no longer cared about the gargantuan stone. What pleased Zach pleased her. “If you want me to wear it…”
“No,” he said. “I’ve got something different in mind.”
He nodded his head toward the conductor. Soft music played and the crowd parted. She heard a soft whirring noise and another hope zip lined inside her heart. “Is it?” she whispered.
Zach turned her and held her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Yes.”
Their best friend drove toward them with a flank of her cousins and friends on either side of his wheelchair. By the time he reached Kennedy, tears streaked freely down her cheeks. She couldn’t speak.
“This time, the choice is yours. My best man insists.”
Michael’s sister, Hannah, Caleb, and the rest of Kennedy’s cousins pulled boxes out of their pockets and opened them. An array of rings sparkled inside each one, beckoning her with their various cuts and hues and settings.
“What is all this? Why so many?” she asked. “And what did you do with the other one?”
“I donated it to the ALS charity fund,” he said. “After you select your engagement ring, I’ll donate the rejected rings.”
“You did this for me?”
“You deserve the choice.”
Her eyes lit on the colorful ring a jeweler had placed on Michael’s armrest. A ring with small gemstones shining with pinks and greens and yellows and blues. One that reflected the spring season of joy filling her heart. One that wasn’t too big or too grand, but was just right.
A slight nod from Michael and she pointed. “That one. I choose that one.”
Zach lifted the delicate and beautiful ring which looked as if the mountains had given birth to its stones. “And I will always choose you for the rest of my life.”
He knelt and took her left hand in his. “Marry me, Kennedy.” He slid the delicate band over her finger. “Make me the happiest man on the planet.”
The guests at the gala cheered. Her vision swam, and she gazed around the room. She could see her proud father’s beaming face and her gentle mother’s tender love. Everyone—the staff, the guests, the musicians, her construction crew in suits—stood clapping.
Joy bubbled in her veins as pure and sweet and wonderful as the North Carolinian streams rushing over mountain rocks and hillside pebbles.
“Yes.” Kennedy touched Zach’s cheek, looked into his beautiful brown eyes. “I’ll be your wife. Now and forever.”
Epilogue
Kennedy cradled the swelling bump hidden by her designer wedding gown. “Has everyone arrived?” she asked her mother as she checked the blue sky one last time for an errant wisp of cloud.
Her mother held Kennedy’s bouquet in one hand while she adjusted the dress’s satin sash. “Caleb just got here with Hannah, so that completes the bridal party.”
Kennedy took her colorful gerbera flower bouquet from her mother. “I’m so glad we planned an April wedding so Caleb could be here.” Her cousin would ship out with his Marine unit earlier than he’d anticipated—just two short days after Kennedy and Zach exchanged their vows. “Though it’s probably a good thing he and Hannah are on opposite sides of the altar considering the sparks firing between them.”
“Where’s there’s fire, there’s usually more than anger brewing.”
“Tell me about it.”
Early afternoon sunlight dappled the pale mint leaves unfurling their buds and the evergreen needles of the tall pines surrounding the hot springs. New life. New possibilities. New adventures beckoned.
After all she’d gone through and had fought
for, she’d found love again with Zach. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll be planning another wedding soon.”
“Not to mention more baby showers.” Her mother dabbed her eyes, then held Kennedy’s cheeks to hold her gaze. “How’s our little miracle doing?”
“The obstetrician says Baby Tanner is doing great.” A soft breeze lifted a tendril of Kennedy’s hair. Birds sang in the trees as they prepared their nests for eggs and the chicks that would soon follow. “No signs of complications, but we’re monitoring the pregnancy weekly.”
An inner effervescence sparkled. Zach had spared no expense to provide her with the best obstetric care, nor had he allowed any overextension on her part. While she had no guarantees, this time everything felt different.
Everything felt right.
Even Zach’s father had accepted their marriage. And from the way Daniel Tanner had treated her with gentle, solicitous attention during the rehearsal dinner, Kennedy had no doubt the bonds would strengthen after their precious child arrived.
Kennedy’s mother hugged her. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispered. “For the baby and for your marriage to Zach. He’s the perfect man for you.”
Heat radiated inside her chest. “I think so.”
Her father rounded the corner. “It’s time.” His eyes glistened and his cheeks had reddened with the heat of his suppressed emotion.
Her heart swelled for the big man she’d followed around as a toddler and whose footsteps she’d eagerly filled as an adult.
“What’s the matter, Daddy?” she whispered, hooking her hand into his elbow.
“I can’t believe I’m losing you,” he replied gruffly.
“I’ll always be your little girl.” She wiped a stray tear from his still handsome, weather-lined face. “Soon you may have another little guy or girl to keep you busy.” This time she and Zach had opted to wait until Kennedy delivered to discover the gender of their baby. And that had felt right, too. They had no expectations other than for a healthy, happy delivery.
Kennedy kissed her parents on the cheeks, first her mother, then her father. “I’m ready.”
Minutes later, a harpist played lilting music. Daisies arrayed in a multitude of colors decorated the walkway leading to the gazebo. Red, lavender, and white flowers popped additional color into the forest’s natural quilt.
First Michael’s niece skipped down the pathway, haphazardly scattering petals with youthful exuberance. Then Kennedy’s bridal party strolled side by side, parting to stand on opposite sides of the altar as Kennedy followed them, flanked by her mom and dad.
Her heart overflowed with happiness. All that was inside her wanted to bottle each precious moment of the ceremony and capture it for eternity.
Her friends, the Sweetbriar Springs’ resort staff, and her cousins watched her proceed down the aisle of freshly strewn daisy petals. Their faces radiated with joy and love. Ahead, Michael in his wheelchair stood by Zach as best man. The Biostem research in which Zach had invested a vast amount of capital would lead to greater advances in assisting nerve regeneration. Already, Michael’s participation in the hospital’s clinical trial had slowed the progression of his disease.
Her cousins took their places by Michael. They’d grown into strong men who had missions of their own to accomplish, and though she’d miss Caleb’s help with the company, she couldn’t be more proud of his service.
But the only man she had eyes for was Zach.
His gorgeous features filled with stunned surprise when he caught sight of her. Tears glistened in his eyes. “You’re beautiful,” he mouthed as she moved closer.
Renewed bliss shot straight to the depths of her soul. Oh, how she loved him. Zach had given her everything and more. From the moment she’d agreed to marry him, he’d focused his commanding power on giving them both the lives they deserved.
Leaves rustled and a lone dove cooed in the distance. Here was her soul mate. Zach was the man who balanced her in every way. And because of one interfering friend, they’d found their way back to each other.
Tears—happy ones—pricked behind her eyes as she approached him. He was stunningly handsome in his designer cut tuxedo that hugged his broad shoulders. Shoulders that would one day carry their child high in the world. And shoulders she’d learned to count on always being there for her.
Their eyes locked. Love and commitment glimmered in their mahogany depths. Nothing mattered but his gaze on hers and the tomorrows they would share.
She dimly heard the minister ask who gave her away. Her mom and dad replied, “We do.”
Kennedy hugged her parents, then she moved toward the future. One with the man of her dreams, no matter what obstacles life put in their way. And when he stretched out his broad palm, she placed hers into it with the certainty of a woman who had everything to hope for in the future because of one thing. Zach’s unwavering love.
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Acknowledgments
My deepest thanks go to Entangled Publishing for giving me this fabulous opportunity. I appreciate the dedication of the entire staff—the QA and copy editors, business managers, cover artists, and my publisher Liz Pelletier. Many thanks go to editor Kate Fall for her eagle eye and excellent editorial comments. And my gratitude goes to my editorial director, Alethea Spiridon Hopson, for reading my story and believing in it. She carried my book through every step of its journey to publication, and I’m thrilled to be under her editorial wing.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the many writers who have encouraged me throughout my writing years, especially Sharon Wray and Karen Johnston. Sharon’s dedication to learning the craft and writing the best story possible inspires me every day. Cancer robbed me of Karen’s presence far too soon, but it could not steal her spirit. Every day I hear her cheering me on to become brave, strong, and dauntless.
A huge thank you goes to my wonderful critique partner, Pam Mantovani. She’s an incredible storyteller who has taught me the value of the middle name and to beware of her Picky Alerts. I trust her with my stories and my characters. We’ve shared disappointments, wine, and a lot of laughter while working to attain our goals. And this year we’re sharing the sweet victory of having our first books published.
Many mentors have given me valuable advice. Special thanks to Lynn Raye Harris for taking time out of her busy schedule to coach me through my first revise and resubmit letter. She never doubted that I would sell one day. And a big virtual hug to Melanie Milburne who offered to read the first three chapters of the Maverick. I was very close to giving up when her beautiful response to the story arrived in my email box. That letter gave me the courage to keep writing.
My friends and family all over the world have been a constant source of keeping it real. Lori Hastings reminds me every day to look for the joy, Heidi Scribner’s enthusiasm is contagious, and Petra Engle’s empathy reinforces the importance of looking for the heart in the matter. Finally, my dear sister friend Janne-Marieke Van Winssen gave me a second family to love. We’ve made thousands of memories together. Her mother—my surrogate mom—was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. Tante Janne wanted something good to come out of this disease. I did, too.
During my research, I learned that people and families afflicted by ALS are courageous and brave and want to make a difference. You can discover more about this disease and the families it impacts by going to the ALS Association’s website at http://www.alsa.org/
About the Author
Christine Glover is a contemporary romance author of sensual, sizzling, emotional contemporary romances. Her tough, no-nonsense heroines aren’t easily swayed by great looks and killer abs, but they surrender th
eir hearts to their heroes when they discover these Alpha men deserve love. She still has to figure out how to apply makeup or style her hair without someone popping into her head to give her another scene to write. Ultimately, she sits down to write about two lost souls finding each other, discovering home, and giving her romance characters the happily-ever-after endings they deserve.
Born in the Netherlands, Christine’s parents immigrated to Canada where she spent her formative years. After meeting her own real life hero, she married her Texan Alpha man and moved to the United States where she’s lived both north and south of the Mason Dixon line. Now Christine lives in Alabama with her husband the Physicist, her wonderful daughter, and two insanely adorable cats. She enjoys finding the silly in the serious, making wine out of sour grapes, and giving people giggle fits along with heartfelt hugs. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling the world, cooking gourmet food, and desperately seeking a corkscrew.
Connect with Christine in one of these ways:
Email: [email protected]
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