* * * * *
They were married the next day in a small civil ceremony. Douglas and Louise stood beside them. The judge pronounced them man and wife and Shauna launched herself into Mike’s arms. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
“And I love you too, wife.” Mike kissed her long and hard. He was never letting this woman go. They turned to her parents. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me take your daughter away from you. I’ll protect her with my life. I’ll love her until the day I die.”
“You’d better,” Douglas said. “I don’t let just any time traveler take my daughter to another century, you know.” Everyone laughed but tears flowed freely.
“As soon as we’re settled we’ll be back to visit. I need to keep up my skycar practice,” Mike said.
“See that you do, Forrester,” Douglas said.
Louise held her daughter in a long hug. “I’m proud of you. You’ve grown into a stunning woman. Mike’s a lucky man.”
“Thank you,” Shauna sniffed. “We need to get going.”
Back at Shauna’s apartment they packed a few things in duffle bags. When everything was ready the newlyweds turned. “We’ll see you soon,” Mike assured them. He stepped behind Shauna and held her in his arms. Shauna pressed the button on the right side of her device. The room shimmered tangerine, the walls wavered and a high-pitched whine filled the air.
Louise and Douglas waved.
When the whine rose to a fever pitch and the color turned gold, Louise threw a handful of rice and the lucky couple disappeared.
Epilogue
December 23, 2004
The pounding on the door wouldn’t stop. Mike pulled it open. “Stop it.” He laughed at his brother’s furious look.
“I came as soon as I got your message. “What’s up? Mind telling me where you’ve been? I must have left you a hundred messages.”
“I’d like you to meet my wife, Shauna.” Mike pulled her forward. “This is Scott.”
“What?” Scott roared. “You disappear for two days and come back married?”
Mike knew that Scott wouldn’t remember the other time he’d met Shauna. Once again they’d arrived back on December 23. He turned to his wife and said, “You need to work on that return glitch. We wouldn’t have to go through this again if it’d been fixed.”
Shauna smiled. “It’s on my list.”
“What are you two talking about?” Scott asked. “What glitch?”
“Come on in, brother,” Mike said. “Have I got a Christmas fairy tale to tell you.”
About the Author
A native Californian, Barbara Goodwin is a senior flight attendant for American Airlines. She is an avid romance reader and the possibility of time travel fascinates her. While writing her books, her wonderful springer spaniel, Clark Kent, is always by her side.
Barbara welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Barbara Goodwin
Executive Attraction
Heart’s Flight
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