I wanted to glare at her but it was an unfortunate truth. I would have been more worried about going down the stairs in these shoes as off-balance as I was.
Luckily, we had a glass-fronted elevator installed that went from the bakery on the first floor, to the coffee shop and eatery on the second, and all the way up to the roof.
“You’re going to make an amazing entrance,” said Mom.
The roof had been entirely redone with small rooftop gardens, seating areas and stretches of lush grass. And today it was playing host to our wedding. The whole of Sunrise Valley would spread around us with plenty of seating for all the guests.
Practically the entire town had RSVP’d. Talk about a massive guest list.
Jemma peeked out into the hallway. She opened the door and gave us two thumbs up, then rushed down the hall to press the elevator button.
The car came up and I had just enough time to spot the handsome jawline of my husband-to-be talking to somebody else in the car before I pulled Mom in front of me like a shield and put my forehead against her back.
“Hey! Ho!” called out the guys from the car when the doors opened.
“Don’t you know the bride’s not supposed to be seen by the groom!” cried Jemma. “Go on, get up there. God, I can’t believe you almost ruined this. And Sam, you should have known better!”
When Sam talked, her mouth sounded full. “I wanted a scone.” I think she said.
Now I wanted one. I couldn’t wait to eat. Thomas’ cooking was like a drug to my pregnant palate. Anything I craved he could whip together in the most delicious way. No matter how gross the combination was.
The elevator closed and we waited while it came back down. “You can come out now,” said Jemma. “All clear.”
They ushered me into the elevator like two secret service agents making sure no threats were around. It felt ridiculous.
When the elevator lifted off I felt my own mood soar with it. This is really happening. I’m marrying Thomas. I’m having his babies. The little girl inside me squealed and jumped up and down with delight.
Everything was going better than five-year-old me could have ever planned. Of all the weddings I had planned in my little head back then, nothing was as grand or splendid as this.
The doors dinged open out onto a strip of soft grass that parted two rows of white chairs and led up to a raised dais of dark, polished wood beneath a wedding arch blooming with orchids.
But the most stunning thing of all was the man in the black suit and tie that stood on that dais. Handsome stubbled cheeks dimpled in a smile that spread ear-to-ear.
I had never seen him so happy.
It was the perfect summer wedding. The guests all stood and faced me. The music picked up. I couldn’t believe it was finally happening. Sam stood in the bridesmaid dress but by Thomas’ side as his best man alongside his groomsmen.
She was, after all, his closest friend and he had insisted on the role. So we compromised. She held a small velvet pillow with the rings on them. I swear she was crying.
Never thought I’d see the day.
Jemma skirted around us and took her place at the dais with Alice and Sally. Mom hooked my arm with hers. “Are you ready?” she said softly.
I looked up at her, and then at the life ahead of me. All the adventure. The love, the growing family that I couldn’t be more happy with. A town quickly becoming a premier tourist destination. And a lifetime with the man I loved more than anything.
Oh yeah. I was ready.
“More than ever.”
More Sunrise Valley
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Book 4 of Sunrise Valley will be out in the first half of November, featuring our very own resident bad ass: Sam.
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Afterword
Thank you so much for Thomas and Claire’s story! I hope you enjoyed this third trip to Sunrise Valley as much as I have. It’s always such a refreshing treat to take a trip into the valley.
There’s so much more to show you. More cute and quirky characters to meet, and more shops with puns! Claire’s big plans for Sunrise Valley in full swing and even though the next couple is different, you’ll get to see how much Sunrise Valley has changed in the span of a little less than a year. I can’t wait.
I fell in love with the idea of a town nestled away from everything where everybody’s fondest memories are far in the past. A town that’s seen better days and could see many more with the right care.
As Sunrise Valley wakes up to greet a brighter day, we’ll get to see more of the town and the amazing people that live there. Not to mention, plenty of drama and skeletons popping out of closets once people start poking around!
I hope you all enjoy the silly puns, expect more real soon!
Writing this has been a ton of fun and I’m really looking forward to sharing this series with you all. You’ll get to see this small town come to life with, community events and get-togethers, typical small-town shenanigans, family craziness, and a whole lot of love.
Sunrise Valley is here to stay, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride. If you loved Kneading You, please share it with your besties, your friends, your co-workers, hell even your enemies. Show them your superior taste in books! And while you’re at it, leave a review on Amazon to let everybody else know how awesome you are.
If you’re feeling super generous, come show me some love on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive rewards like access to books before they’re released (or even out on pre-order!), the ability to name characters, preview chapters, input on the creative process, and much more! It is my most sincere wish that one day I could write these stories for you full-time. Every bit goes towards making that dream a reality.
I’d love to hear what you thought about the Sunrise Valley, so hit me up on social media. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Interested in first dibs on preorders, exclusive bonus content and upcoming sales? Then hop over and sign up for my newsletter. I hope to see you around the valley!
About the Author
Simone Belarose writes heartwarming small town contemporary romances and romantic comedies with swoon-worthy book boyfriends that will have you fanning yourself with your kindle. Escape into Simone’s world of loyal, mysterious alpha heroes, and quirky, sassy, relatable heroines that go on an intricate journey of love and self-discovery. There’s nothing she likes better than seeing two people discover just how far they’re willing to go for love.
Other Books Written by Simone Belarose
Sunrise Valley Series
Kneading You: A Small Town Love Story (Book 1)
Baking Up Love: A Small Town Love Story (Book 2)
Come Say Hi!
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Contents
Other Books Written by Simone Belarose
Newsletter
About This Book
1. Claire
2. Thomas
3. Claire
4. Thomas
5. Claire
6. Thomas
7. Claire
8. Thomas
9. Claire
10. Thomas
11. Claire
12. Thomas
13. Claire
14. Thomas
15. Thomas
16. Claire
17. Thomas
18. Claire
19. Thomas
20. Claire
21. Thomas
22. Claire
23. Thomas
24. Thomas
25. Gavin
26. Thomas
27. Claire
28. Sam
29. Thomas
30. Claire
31. Thomas
Epilogue
More Sunrise Valley
Afterword
About the Author
Other Books Written by Simone Belarose
Come Say Hi!
Bun in Her Oven Page 22