by Jillian Hart
“Oh, I think she should,” Maggie spoke up. “I’d like to be influenced like that myself.”
“Now see what you’ve done?” Emma rolled her eyes, palms up in a gesture of helplessness. “I have been trying to instill in all of you a strong sense of propriety and uprightness, and Callie, you are encouraging your sisters with your wild behavior.”
“Sometimes wild, sometimes sweet.” Callie blushed, while her other three sisters giggled uproariously. “Just depends on Mason’s mood at the time.”
A knock rapped at the door, interrupting the laughter. Mariel bobbed in, red curls tumbling out beneath her dove gray hat. “Goodness, you girls are in a good mood, which is just the thing as it’s time to start. Callie, your groom is waiting downstairs.”
“I’m ready.” She was so ready. She lifted her skirts so she wouldn’t trip on them in her rush for the door. Her sisters trailed behind her in the hall. Nerves popped in Callie’s stomach and joy make it hard for her feet to stay fully on the floor as she followed Mariel down the staircase.
The past three weeks had been the happiest of Callie’s life. Spending time with Mason, shopping in town for things to make his cute little cottage homey and making love with him in the sweet summer nights. He’d been true to his word, he’d opened his heart to her completely. Nothing could be as remarkable as the chance to spend her life with him.
“Callie.” He stood in the center of Mariel’s flower garden, all in black, his Stetson set at a low angle. His blue eyes fastened on hers, and without words, she could hear all that he wanted to say. All the love he had for her, the gratitude, and his dreams for them. The memory of his touch last night, of how they’d clung together, lost in their love, burned there too. Oh, it was going to be a great life. A very great and blissful life.
He held out his hand to take hers, pulling her to his side like a man determined to keep her there, like a man committed to her one thousand percent.
“You are beautiful,” he breathed, his voice raw with emotion. “My beautiful Callie.”
Before she could answer, the minister started in. “Dearly beloved,” and her heart soared. Mason was her beloved, the man she cherished above all, her dream come true.
Watch for the next story in the You’ve Got Mail series. Christmas Male, Maggie’s story, will be out later this autumn.
About the Author
Jillian Hart makes her home in Washington State, where she has lived most of her life. When Jillian is not writing away on her next book, she can be found reading, going to lunch with friends and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.