Beau took her hand and walked with her next to the horse. “Bianca is a girl.” He put his foot in the stirrup and swung his leg over the back of the horse. Then held out his hand to help Ashlee sit up in front of him. Once she was settled, he pushed her hair to the side and whispered in her ear. “Prince Charming wore sissy clothes. I’m a rogue thief who successfully stole the princesses’ heart.” He pressed a kiss to the spot just below her ear and felt her shiver.
Sighing, Ashlee twisted around to look at him. The full moon cast a soft light over them, illuminating her face and the soft expression of love in her eyes. “You didn’t have to steal my heart, because it’s always been yours,” she said, leaning forward to give him a sweet kiss that didn’t last long enough. “I love you, Beau Jacobsen,” she whispered against his mouth. “I always have.”
“I love you, too, Ashlee Nichols,” he said, his mouth hovering over hers. “I always will.”
This time, he kissed her slowly, taking his time to explore her soft mouth. Beau hadn’t planned on falling in love, and he certainly hadn’t planned on getting engaged, but he was learning that taking unexpected paths were worth the risk, especially when they lead you to your true destination.
Epilogue
Twinkling lights covered the temporary pavilion set up in the backyard of Ashlee’s soon to be house. She and Beau had wanted to have an outdoor reception at their new residence, but the end of summer in Georgia was brutal. The wedding tent was the perfect solution, with portable air conditioners keeping the temperature at a steady seventy degrees.
Holding her husband’s hand, she and Beau waited patiently for their first dance together as husband and wife while the DJ, her brother, and Daddy tried to fix the sound system. It had suddenly stopped working right after the father-daughter dance.
“If they can’t get it fixed, you can always sing to me,” Ashlee said, giving Beau’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“Sure,” he said, giving her a wicked grin. “If we sneak away into the house for our honeymoon right now, I’ll be happy to sing to you.”
“Beau, there is no way I’m sneaking inside to start our honeymoon with all our family and friends still here.” She hoped he didn’t notice the blush heating her cheeks. She’d been contemplating the exact same thing not five minutes earlier.
“I see that blush, Mrs. Jacobsen,” he said leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I’ll bet it won’t take much to persuade you to abandon the rest of the scheduled program.” His warm lips touched her ear lightly. “Mmm, you smell good,” he murmured, brushing his lips a little lower.
The feel of his kiss sent a shiver of pleasure all the way down to her toes. He was not playing fair.
She glanced around, hoping her mama wasn’t within earshot. Then she rose up on her toes and whispered, “Okay, if they don’t fix it in the next fifteen minutes we can skip ahead to cutting the cake and go right into the bouquet toss. Then we’ll leave for the bed and breakfast. The house is off-limits until we get home.”
They’d had to make that rule again after Beau had moved in. She and Beau had been separated for the first six weeks of their engagement while he worked in Savannah. It had been torture for both of them. Beau was honorable and didn’t want to leave the architectural firm in a bind, so he’d talked it over with the senior partner, Trent Sessions, and agreed to fill in until their injured employee returned to work.
After that, Beau returned to Mitchel Creek and started his own architectural firm with the help from Sterling Enterprises. Although the sale of the property behind his grandmother’s house had gone through to Andrew Fredrickson, Richard Sterling believed in Beau’s concept. Actually, her new husband gave her all the credit for the idea, proving it by naming his firm Ashlee Historic Designs and Restoration.
Ashlee kissed his cheek and started to pull back, but Beau turned his head and captured her mouth in a searing kiss. Like always, whenever he kissed her, any coherent thoughts disappeared as quickly as the temperature changed if one ventured too close to the tent doors.
Someone cleared their throat, ending the delicious kiss. She and Beau drew back and found Taylin and Luke standing in front of them, both of them grinning widely.
“Y’all are about to get busted by Mr. Charleston,” Taylin whispered.
Sure enough, the resident dance master of Peach Tree Village was crossing the dance floor. Ashlee had had a weak moment and invited him to the wedding. She didn’t dare tell Beau until this morning before they left for the church. Even at that, she was a coward and did it by text.
“Kissing is allowed on your wedding day,” Beau complained. “We’re not even dancing yet.”
“I’ll take one for the team,” Luke said. “I’ll ask him for advice on the proper frame or whatever he calls it.”
“Thanks man,” Beau said, bumping his brother-in-law’s fist. “Free babysitting for y’all when we get back from St. John’s.”
“Deal,” Luke said. He kissed Taylin on the cheek and then intercepted Mr. Charleston before he reached Ashlee and Beau.
“Oh no,” Taylin said, “Crew’s about to—” Her words were cut off as she dashed over to the wedding cake table.
Ashlee and Beau both tensed as they watched the active toddler reach up to grab a chunk of the wedding cake. The next few seconds played out like someone had recorded it in slow motion. Taylin and Luke both called their son’s name out, arriving a half-second too late as the three-tiered wedding cake toppled over, barely missing Crew.
Time resumed and complete chaos ensued. Crew didn’t miss a beat and sat down on the top layer. Grinning at his good fortune, he dug into the white cake with lemon filling. The carrot cake was the second layer and was Beau’s favorite. Three-year-old Isabelle joined her cousin in the cake fest, selecting the carrot cake as her favorite choice.
Not sure if she should laugh or cry— she and Beau were going to cut the cake right after the husband and wife dance— Ashlee looked up at her husband.
“Cake, sweetheart?” he said with a smirk.
Ashlee looked at the wedding cake and then back up at him. “Why not,” she said with a laugh. Picking up her skirt, she and Beau ran over to the mess.
“I’m so sorry, y’all,” Taylin said, looking like she was going to burst into tears. “My sweet little neighbor, Jillian, was watchin’ him, but she spilled punch and only looked away for a second.”
“A second is all he needs, babe,” Luke choked out, trying not to laugh out loud.
Jackson and Sydney arrived at the perimeter of the cake chaos, each carrying a baby in their arms. “Just think, this is what we have to look forward to,” Jackson said to his wife.
“I can hardly wait,” Sydney said dryly.
Chase rushed over, staring at his daughter with disbelief. “Dang, Addie is gonna kill me if Izzy’s dress gets dirty.”
“May you rest in peace, my friend,” Jackson said, patting Chase on the back. “She just discovered the chocolate cake.”
Before Chase could figure out a way to extract his daughter, Addie hurried over as fast as she could while wearing heels and carrying her new baby daughter, Savannah. “Isabelle Nichols,” Addie said, cradling the baby to her chest. “You better save some of that cake for your mama.”
Chase cracked up, along with everyone else. Then he and Luke pulled out their cell phones and started taking pictures of their children.
“Shall we?” Ashlee said to Beau as she handed him a fork.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The two of them joined in, and the photographer snapped photo after photo as Ashlee fed Beau a piece of cake and then vice versa. Once that was done, Ashlee motioned for her other nieces and nephews to join in on the fun. Her two older sisters relented and allowed their children to dig in with their crazy aunt and new uncle.
Ashlee’s parents couldn’t do anything but laugh at their grandchildren. Beau’s parents looked horrified, probably wondering if this is what they had to look forward to once she and Beau started having b
abies.
About that time, the DJ informed Chase that something, most likely the portable AC units, had fried his sound system. He felt horrible and tried apologizing to Ashlee and Beau.
“Please don’t worry about it,” Ashlee said. “I’m just sorry about your equipment.”
“Yeah, no worries,” Beau chimed in. “You might as well get a piece of cake.”
The DJ looked at the mess on the ground with rounded eyes.
“The cake over there,” Ashlee said, pointing out another table. Miss Janie had salvaged half the bottom layer of cake that hadn’t fallen to the ground.
Turning to Beau, Ashlee brushed away a few cake crumbs from his tie. “I guess we’re saving our dance for later.”
“Sounds good to me,” he said with the enthusiasm of a groom who had honored his promise to keep his hands to himself until he and Ashlee were married. “Let’s toss the bouquet and get out of here.”
“Not so fast, lover boy,” Taylin said. “Chase is getting his guitar from Luke’s truck, and he’s going to sing while y’all have your dance.”
“That’ll be perfect,” Ashlee said, leading her husband by the hand to the front of the room. She’d forgotten her brother was planning on singing them a song just before she and Beau took off for their honeymoon.
Chase carried the guitar and perched on a barstool as the crowd made a semi-circle around the edge of the dance floor. “I started to write a song for my sister and her husband, who many of y’all know is one of my best friends,” he said, nodding his chin at Beau and winking at Ashlee. “But my wife suggested I cover a song that is perfect for the bride and groom.” He strummed his thumb along the strings. “I’ll try to get through it without losing my man card.”
The crowd chuckled as Chase played the opening measure. Ashlee recognized the song right away. Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wicks was one of her favorite songs. She hoped she could get through it without ruining her makeup.
Beau pulled her into his arms, ignoring everything Mr. Charleston had tried to instill in him about a proper hold. He’d already told his grandmother and Miss Nora that they needed to run interference during his dance with Ashlee.
“Cover for me if I lose my man card,” Beau whispered in her ear as they swayed to the music.
“I got your six, Hot Army Guy,” Ashlee said as she melted into her husband’s arms. The soft rumble of laughter met her ear as she pressed her cheek against his chest. The poignant lyrics sung by her brother touched her, but she felt too happy to cry.
As Ashlee and Beau slowly turned to the music, she caught sight of the beautiful screened-in porch Beau had previously constructed. His parents had given them furniture for the lovely addition, and she knew it would be a favorite space for them.
It was hard to believe they were moving into the historic home that had belonged to many of Beau’s ancestors. Almost three weeks before their wedding day, Jackson had stopped by Beau’s office with a surprising update on the development going in behind his grandmother’s house. Mr. Fredrickson’s vast condominium project had been delayed by the county for several weeks when they refused to rezone the property as a multi-residential zone. He was losing too much money on the project when the county wouldn’t budge, and he had contacted Sterling Enterprises about purchasing the property.
Incidentally, Beau’s grandmother’s house had not sold yet. There were plenty of interested buyers, but none of them wanted to live next to a huge modern-looking condominium complex.
A week after Jackson delivered the news, Ashlee Historic Designs and Restoration got the green light to start the Ashlee Project, and Beau became the new owner of his grandparents’ house. They’d already sold several lots for the development, the first one going to Chase and Addie. They were relocating at the start of the new year. Once their home was completed they would be Ashlee and Beau’s new neighbors.
“You didn’t fall asleep, did you?” Beau asked a moment later. The music had ended, but Ashlee and Beau were still dancing.
“I guess I was just enjoying myself,” she said with a laugh. The crowd burst into applause, and Ashlee caught her brother’s eye and mouthed a thank you to him.
Beau loosened his hold just enough to allow her to look up at him. “I love you, wife,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose.
“I love you, husband,” she said, kissing the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, yeah?” he asked in a husky whisper.
“Definitely.” Her lips parted as he lowered his mouth to hers. His lips were warm and sweet, but she could feel the banked passion simmering just below the surface.
Lifting his head, he met her gaze, that wicked grin back on his handsome face. “I think it’s time to toss the bouquet, Mrs. Jacobsen,” he said in a low voice that only she could hear.
“We’ll be thirty minutes ahead of schedule,” she whispered back. “It’s not dark enough for the sparklers, and people are going to know why we’re leaving early.”
“Come on, honey, live a little on the spontaneous side for once,” he teased, nuzzling her nose.
She edged back slightly so she could look at him. “Sorry,” she said with a straight face, “but I’m married now and I can’t be so impulsive.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “Wanna bet?” He gave her a quick kiss, took her by the hand, and led her to the front of the room. “Okay, y’all, it’s time for the single ladies to line up. My bride is ready to toss the bouquet.”
“Wait,” someone said from the audience, but Ashlee was done waiting.
Laughing, she turned her back to the women gathering behind her. “On the count of three, here it comes.” Counting backwards, she threw the spray of flowers high over her head.
Beau spun her around in time to see the female wedding guests scramble to catch the bouquet. One of the girls from Princess Parties came up the winner just as the wedding coordinator rushed to Ashlee’s side.
“You tossed the wrong bouquet,” the woman said, holding out the smaller replica of the flowers she’d just tossed. “Now what are you going to do?”
“Sorry, ma’am, but I’m stealing my husband.” Ashlee took Beau by the hand, heading straight for the tent doors. As they hurried past her parents, she took the time to thank them and give them a kiss goodbye. “Love you,” she said, taking Beau’s hand again and making a break toward the exit.
Family and close friends had formed an impromptu human tunnel, clapping and whistling at them as they continued on their path. “Y’all enjoy the sparklers,” she said as they rushed out into the balmy air.
Out of breath, she slowed down as they rounded the back of the house. Beau wasn’t breathing hard and swooped her up in his arms, carrying her the rest of the way to their freshly decorated car.
He opened the door, but didn’t put her down right away. “See, wasn’t that fun?” he said, placing a tantalizing kiss on her mouth.
“Mm-hmm,” she said as he lowered her onto the seat.
“By the way,” he said, leaning in for one more kiss. “It’s never too early for sparklers.”
FREE Book
Thank you for reading Blue Moon Kisses! If you want to read about Chase and Addie’s romance, then check out Under a Georgia Moon, book 1 in the Georgia Moon romance series. And for Taylin and Luke’s romance, read Just a Kiss in the Moonlight (book 2).
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Cindy :)
Acknowledgments
I want to say thank you to all my readers for patiently waiting for this book. I wanted it to be
perfect, and I’m happy with the story. I truly hope the wait was worth it and that you all enjoy it. As always, I need to thank my family for their continued support with my writing. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. Thank you to my editors, Sadie Anderson and Valerie Bybee. They catch so many things that my brain totally misses. My covers are just as important to me as the content of the book. A special thanks to my daughter, Nicole Harbertson, for her creative input and for being the perfect cover model. We have fun coming up with the cover concept and finding the perfect shoes and clothing that will fit the heroine of the book. I also need to thank Valerie Bybee for shooting the cover picture, and thank Steven Novak for the cover design. And a special thanks to my neighbor and friend, Dave Munk, for allowing me to use his beautiful vintage 1946 Indian Chief motorcycle for the cover.
About the Author
Cindy Roland Anderson is an Amazon best selling author who writes clean, contemporary romance with a combination of humor, romantic tension and some pretty great kissing scenes. She and her husband live in northern Utah, and are parents to five children and now grandparents to six adorable grandchildren. She is a registered nurse and has worked in the NICU as well as the newborn nursery. She loves to read, almost as much as she loves writing. And she loves chocolate… probably a little too much. Be sure and sign up for Cindy's Newsletter and receive a free copy of one of her books. You’ll also get notified first of her latest book release and the chance to receive an advanced copy of that new book before anyone else.
To see all her works please visit Cindy Roland Anderson's Author Page
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