Blue Ridge Sunrise

by Denise Hunter

  All the talks . . . the kisses . . . the little girl they’d conceived right about here. They’d come so far since then. Been through so much. But they were finally together again. That thought warmed her from the inside out. A shiver of gratitude swept over her.

  “You chilly?” he asked as he met her around the back of the truck. “I have a jacket in the cab.”

  “No. It’s a perfect night. I forgot how peaceful it is out here,” she said, looking around at the familiar trees and hills and boulders.

  He lowered the tailgate and unfurled a sleeping bag in the bed of the truck.

  She met his gaze with a knowing look. “Are we stargazing tonight, Mr. Huntley?”

  “That depends. Do you remember all the constellations I taught you? There might be a test later.”

  She remembered the way he used to quiz her, kissing her for every one she got right. “I may just need a refresher.” She gave him a sassy smile as he lifted her up into the truck bed.

  “Accommodation is my middle name.”

  “And here I thought it was Anthony.” She lifted her skirt and scooted back against the cab where he’d tossed a few fluffy pillows. “Look at this. You’ve thought of everything.”

  She admired his masculine grace as he hopped into the bed and lowered himself beside her. When he stretched his arm around her and pulled her into his side, she found other things to admire. The hard curve of his bicep, the strength of his hands, the familiar woodsy smell that made her wish she never had to exhale again.

  “Comfortable?” he asked.

  “I may never leave.” She leaned back, tilting her head to the night sky, heaving a contented sigh. Beyond the treetops the stars were like a million diamonds twinkling against a velvet canvas.

  As they stared up into the sky they talked about their busy weeks, catching up. The attendance at Peach Fest had exceeded previous years, setting a new record. The Peach Barn had been so busy her staff had barely managed to keep up. Especially after Granny’s Perfect Peach Crisp took grand prize in the bake-off, Miss Ruby could hardly meet the demand.

  Zoe told some Gracie stories that made Cruz laugh. That low chuckle still made her insides hum.

  Sometime later he leaned in close, pointing overhead. “Time for your test, Miss Collins. What’s that one? Right there.”

  “Easy. That’s the Little Dipper.”

  His head dropped dramatically, and he gave a disappointed sigh.

  “What?” She batted her lashes at him, her lips quirking of their own will.

  He poked her in the side. “You’re just playing me.”

  “It’s Ursa Minor, Professor Huntley,” she stated proudly. “That’s Polaris, and that’s Ursa Major. Draco and Cepheus and Cassiopeia— shall I go on?”

  He looked down at her, his eyes shining with approval. “Well done. You’re a star pupil after all.” His eyes twinkled like the stars overhead.

  “Ha ha. You owe me six kisses, buddy. Now pay up.”

  He gave her lips a quick brush, and then another. She savored the taste of him. The way his kiss was strong and gentle at the same time. The way she felt in his arms—safe and cherished and hopelessly in love. He still made her all melty inside.

  By the time he backed away she’d lost count of his kisses, and so had he, judging by the look on his face. Gone were his smile and his twinkling eyes. In their place was a sober expression that was rooted as deep as the ancient oak trees around them.

  She was unable to look away. Instead a confession made its way to her lips. “I used to look up at the night sky while I was away and think of you.”

  He blinked. “You did?”

  “I missed you. I missed us.”

  “I missed you too. More than I can say.” His voice was a low scrape. “Zoe . . .”

  When he seemed to struggle with words, she touched his face, running her fingers over his freshly shaven jaw, waiting.

  “Having you back in my life, having Gracie . . .” He shook his head, wonder washing over his face. “I feel like the luckiest man on the planet. In the whole universe.”

  She smiled. “I know the feeling.”

  She was at ease with Cruz. Confident of his love. She didn’t have to change who she was or stuff her feelings deep inside or tiptoe around his moods. Nothing she did or said was ever going to change the way he felt about her.

  It was the kind of unconditional love she experienced with her mom and with Brady. But this was different, because Cruz wasn’t family. He chose to love her that way. She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted that, how much she’d craved it, until she finally had it.

  She blinked when she realized Cruz had shifted. He was facing her now, propped on a knee. She met his eyes, questioning.

  He said nothing, only extended his hand. She looked down, ready to take it. But he was holding something.

  A ring.

  She gasped. It sparkled in a nest of dark velvet, its diamond sparkling in the moonlight. Her hand flew to her chest where her heart had jolted to life. Her gaze shot back to his.

  “I love you, Zoe. You and Gracie are everything to me. I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to do life together and raise Gracie together. And I wanted to ask you right here. Under the starry sky, where I first fell in love with you. Will you do me the greatest honor of my life and marry me?”

  Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and a lump swelled in her throat as a smile stretched across her face. “Yes. Oh, Cruz, yes. I want that more than anything.” She leaped into his arms, tipping him backwards.

  He chuckled, low and happy, squeezing her tight. “Easy, woman, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

  “I don’t care. I’m so happy right now I can’t feel a thing.” She buried her nose in the cradle of his neck, breathing him in. Closing her eyes. She didn’t want the moment to end.

  “I love you, mi leona,” he whispered into her ear. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “I love you too. So much.”

  He drew back and brushed her lips with his. His reverent touch grounded her. He was love in action. They were friendship on fire. She palmed his face, unable to get enough of him, and he obligingly deepened the kiss.

  By the time he pulled away she’d almost forgotten where they were.

  “So how about that ring . . .” He produced the box, pulling the ring from its nest.

  It was a princess cut with a band that looked a little old-fashioned. It suited her to a T. “Oooh, it’s so pretty.”

  “You can pick out something else if you like.” He paused before he slipped it on her finger.

  “Not a chance.” Once the ring was on she wiggled her fingers, loving the way it shimmered in the moonlight.

  Their gaze met, and his eyes held the same wonder she felt all the way down to her toes. They grinned at each other like two silly fools. Somehow, despite all the mistakes they’d made and all the wrong turns they’d taken, it had led them to this one glorious moment.

  Now that was God’s grace.

  Eyes shining, he pulled her close and gave her a soft, lingering kiss. “Let’s go tell our little girl we’re going to be a family,” he whispered in her ear.

  Her smile stretched from ear to ear. “I can hardly wait.”

  Acknowledgments

  Writing a book is a team effort, and I’m so grateful for the fabulous team at HarperCollins Christian Fiction, led by publisher Daisy Hutton: Amanda Bostic, Allison Carter, Paul Fisher, Karli Jackson, Kristen Golden, Kayleigh Hines, Jodi Hughes, Kristen Ingebretson, and Becky Monds.

  Thanks especially to my editor, Karli Jackson, for her insight and inspiration. I’m infinitely grateful to editor LB Norton, who has saved me from countless errors and always makes me look so much better than I am.

  Author Colleen Coble is my first reader. Thank you, friend! Writing wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without you!

  I’m grateful to my agent, Karen Solem, who’s able to somehow make sense of the legal garble
of contracts and, even more amazing, help me understand it.

  Kevin, my husband of twenty-eight years, has been a wonderful support. Thank you, honey! I’m so glad to be doing life with you. To my kiddos, Justin and Hannah, Chad, and Trevor: You make life an adventure! It’s so fun watching you step boldly into adulthood. Love you all!

  Lastly, thank you, friend, for letting me share this story with you. I wouldn’t be doing this without you! I enjoy connecting with friends on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter. Please pop over and say hello. Visit my website at the link www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or just drop me a note at denisehunter@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!

  Discussion Questions

  1.Who was your favorite character in Blue Ridge Sunrise? Why? Whom did you most relate to?

  2.Imagine you’re moving to Copper Creek, Georgia. What would your occupation be? Where would you live? Whom would you choose for your best friend?

  3.Coming back home to Copper Creek was difficult for Zoe. Explain some of the reasons why. Have you ever “gone home” again? What feelings did that inspire in you?

  4.When Zoe and Cruz were young, they parted badly because of deception and miscommunication. Discuss the roles Zoe and Cruz each played.

  5.What was Zoe’s biggest weakness/fear that led her down a bad path? How did that play into her parting with Cruz?

  6.What was Cruz’s biggest weakness/fear? How did that play into their parting?

  7.Being with Kyle made Zoe forget the spirited young woman she used to be. Only after getting away from him was she able to remember who she was. Have you ever experienced this or known someone who has?

  8.After being under her dad’s thumb, why do you think Zoe fell headlong into a controlling relationship with Kyle?

  9.What are some of the things we can learn about “control” from Zoe’s experiences and decisions? Have you ever relinquished control to someone else? What happened? Who should have ultimate control?

  10.Blue Ridge Sunrise is the first book in Denise’s Blue Ridge series. Who do you think will be the hero and heroine of the next book? What do you think will happen?

  For Granny Nel’s Peach Crisp recipe, visit

  DeniseHunterBooks.com.

  About the Author

  Photo by Neal Bruns

  Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than thirty books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Carol Award, and the Foreword Book of the Year Award and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana, where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

  DeniseHunterBooks.com

  Facebook: authordenisehunter

  Twitter: @DeniseAHunter