"This looks so yummy!" Sarah said. She and David brought their food to the picnic table, where Candice was busy setting out condiments, drinks, paper plates, and napkins for their dinner.
While they feasted on hot dogs and toasted marshmallows, Sarah dragged them into an animated conversation about how girls were meant to rule the world, and her dramatic expressions had David laughing so hard, he had tears in his eyes. When they finished eating, Sarah helped her clean off the table, but when that was done, Sarah wouldn't let her go sit near the fire. Instead, she grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the picnic table and kindly asked her to sit. Confused, Candice did as she asked.
David, who had been busy stoking the fire, came over to join them, and when he got down on one knee in front of her, Candice gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Sarah sat beside her, grinning like someone who'd just gotten caught with their hand in a cookie jar.
"Candice, I've loved you for so long, I can't even remember what my days were like before I met you,” David said. “You've filled my life with so much joy and contentment, I can't imagine being without you. I've asked for Sarah's permission to do this, and she's given me her blessing."
Sarah was beyond excited when she jumped off the picnic table and started digging into the pocket of her jacket. When she pulled out a blue velvet box and handed it to David, Candice was almost afraid to breathe.
"Candice Hollins, I would be so honored if you would be my wife and let me fill the rest of your days—and Sarah's—with a lifetime of adventures. Will you marry me?"
He opened the box and removed a stunning diamond engagement ring, and she couldn't tell who was more elated, her or Sarah. "Yes!" she replied.
Her hand trembled as David slid the ring on her finger, and when he helped her stand and kissed her, Sarah wrapped her arms around both of them and squeezed.
"We'll finally be a family!" she exclaimed.
David picked her up and as the three of them hugged each other, Candice felt deep in her heart that Barry was smiling down on them and that he was happy knowing she and Sarah were cared for and loved … and that gave her peace.
It was the happiest moment of her life.
THE END
Lost in Love
The next book in the
All Roads Lead to Love Series
Coming Soon
Check out MORE info on Utah! A recommendations page is included to help you experience this beautiful state the way we did!
Recommendations from Utah
From The Write Side of the Road
Our first stop on our 2017 nomad trip was to Lehi, Utah. This book was the result of wanting to share that with you. I never expected to visit Utah, it wasn’t in the plans, but we completely fell in love with the place.
I think you will too.
Check out my blog recommendations on places to eat and things to do. From my family to yours!
Check Out Utah
Author Note
Thank you so much for checking out my first clean romance story. I’ve been writing romance under Ali Parker for over four years now, but this was my first shot at something more Hallmark-ish.
I know it’s not a word, but it should be! My friends and family all LOVE snuggling up on the couch and watching the great love stories at Christmas and during the summer. I finally gave in and tried my hand at a clean romance. Hopefully, you enjoyed it.
More than anything, I pray it inspired you to believe in love and/or remember those warm fuzzies that love gives us/creates. It’s the reason I write.
We combined my desire to write some clean romance with a travel story series I’ve been planning for years too, so this novel was set in Utah—which I’m thinking you gathered.
My family picked up for a year-long road trip to see different parts of the country in 2017. We worked our way from Utah down to Texas and then up the west coast from Cali to Seattle. It was quite a whirlwind journey.
We got to meet a lot of readers and take them out for a meal, see some beautiful country, and take a TON of notes for this series. My goal was to connect these stories with my “Write Side of the Road” blog where we try (we struggle but TRY) to blog about the different places we went or will be going in the future.
We’re back on the road again. Anyway, thank you again for reading my story! The next one up is focused on the beautiful high hills of Lake Arrowhead, CA. Hope you’ll join me for that adventure too this fall.
~ Vivian
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Knee Deep in Love
All Roads Lead to Love #1
Copyright © 2018 by Vivian Porter
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and plot are all either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons – living or dead – is purely coincidental.
First Edition.
Knee Deep in Love: A Sweet Traveling Romance Novel (All Roads Lead to Love Book 1) Page 16