Love Me Again

  As they walked through the doors, everyone turned around to face them.

  Jenna looked down at her dress. “Oh my gosh, do I have something on my dress?” Jenna put a hand to her stomach. “Why’s everyone staring at us?” She turned to Dave in a panic.

  “Jenna,”—Dave said, as he got down on one knee—“I love you... so, so much.”

  Jenna covered her mouth—which understandably was hanging wide open. She looked at Amy, who beamed brightly at her, giving her two thumbs up. “What are you doing?” she whispered to Dave.

  “I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

  Once again, Jenna’s eyes betrayed her as it let the tears flow freely.

  “I have spent the last twenty years of my life—of our lives—chasing what I now know never really mattered. I was young... and stupid. And I want to change that. You are the most important person in the world to me. You—and Macy and Rory.”

  “Dave...”

  “I want to make plans with you, Jenna. And to chase them together. Or break them, leave them. Change them. It doesn’t matter... because all that matters is that I do them with you.” Dave bowed his head for a moment.

  Jenna ran a hand through his hair.

  “Be my dance partner, Jenna—even when there’s no music. Let’s jump into more lakes and get caught by Chief Knight.”

  The crowd laughed. Brad did too.

  “And let’s go on picnics with the kids. Take them to playgrounds and climb the monkey bars with them.”

  By now, Jenna was full on crying—of course. Because who wouldn’t?

  “Let me make you breakfast in bed and bring you warm cups of tea and coffee—until we’re old and gray. I choose you, Jenna. Over and over, I choose you.”

  Jenna looked around and saw that everyone was watching her. In the crowd, a group of giggling teenagers held up a homemade banner that read, Will you marry him again?

  Dave opened the box he’d been keeping in his pocket. “Jenna Myers Stewart... will you give this fool a second chance and love me again?”

  “Say yes!” A voice said. Jenna looked to see Lorraine Myers standing at the front row of seats, as she held on to Mallory’s arm.

  “Yes,” she nodded and let out a laugh. “A thousand times, yes!”

  Everyone cheered.

  Dave got up and put the ring on Jenna’s finger. He took her face in his hands, kissed her. Dave then stepped back with a grin on his face.

  Jenna’s eyebrows furrowed, confused, as he walked away. Just then, from around the corner of the deck, her three big brothers walked towards her. Mick, Ethan, and Caleb.

  Jenna’s mouth dropped as she let out a squeal. “Oh, my gosh!”

  Mick was the first to reach her. He gave her the crook of his arm. “Shall we, baby sis?”

  Speechless, Jenna nodded.

  “Not without me,” Ethan said, as he stood on her other side.

  “Oh my gosh,” she whispered, breathless.

  “And me,” Caleb said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  At that moment, a violin began to play. She knew the song... it was The Prayer. The children—Gracie, Macy, and Rory—walked from around the back and down the center aisle.

  “Stop crying or you’ll ruin your makeup,” Jenna’s brother Ethan whispered and slipped her a hankie.

  Jenna laughed and dabbed her tears. “I can’t help it,” she whispered. Jenna’s emotions overwhelmed her. Right there, in that very garden, was everyone that she loved and cared for. And at the front, by the gazebo, was her best friend, Charlotte—incredibly pregnant and beautiful. And next to Charlotte stood Dave. He truly was—is—the love of her life. Jenna smiled at him. Her Dave. She glanced at her mother, who blew her a kiss.

  “I love you,” Lorraine mouthed.

  “I love you, too,” Jenna said.

  DAVE TOOK JENNA’S HANDS in his and kissed her on the cheek. If he’d ever doubted his love for her—or his ability to make her happy—that was all gone. For all that remained in his heart was the strength of his love for her. Whether it was a mid-life crisis that brought him to this phase in his life, he was grateful. Grateful for yet another chance to love his sweetheart once again.

  “Dave and Jenna,” Charlotte began. “It’s an incredible honor and pleasure to share this beautiful day with you—my best friends.” Charlotte sniffed and wiped a tear. “I can’t help it! The baby hormones are making me cry!” Charlotte fanned her face with a hand.

  The crowd laughed along with her.

  “I have been so blessed to bear witness to the ever-growing love between America’s sweethearts—Willow Oaks’ finest. Many of you already know that marriage is hard work—just ask my husband,” Charlotte joked as she motioned to Ben, who was standing behind Dave, and next to Sam. They truly were the Best Men.

  Dave clapped Ben on the shoulder as they all laughed.

  “Jenna and Dave,” Charlotte continued. “Thank you for sharing with us your joys and blessings. And for allowing us to journey with you even when times are tough.”

  Jenna’s tears fell and Dave brought a hand to her face to dry them. He promised to make her happy... and wipe away any tear that threatened her peace.

  Charlotte looked at Dave. “Twenty years later, following that fateful college afternoon, when you heard the voice of an angel”—she smiled at Jenna—“you want to, once again, confirm your commitment to my beautiful friend, Jenna, as her husband and partner in crime.”

  Dave nodded.

  “And my dear, dear, Jenna—are you sure you want to reconfirm your commitment to this sometimes-foolish man?”

  Dave felt a pinch in his heart when Jenna laughed. She was beautiful. She was his. And he was hers.

  “To be his wife and partner in crime despite the inevitable roller coaster bumps and turns?” Charlotte asked her.

  “I absolutely do,” she said as she looked into Dave’s eyes.

  “Thirteen years ago, on your wedding day, you exchanged rings as a symbol of your love and commitment to each other. And today, do you stand before us all to reconfirm the promise that lies behind the rings you wear?”

  “I do,” Dave said. And as he looked into her eyes, he knew that his words were the truest he’s ever spoken.

  “And I do too,” Jenna said.

  “Whew! Thank goodness for that!” Charlotte joked. “In that case, it is with great pleasure that I end this ceremony. You may now celebrate this beautiful renewal of vows with a kiss!”

  “Eew!” Rory said from the front row, which naturally garnered laughter and cheer from the rest of the guests, who stood and clapped for Willow Oaks’ favorite sweethearts.

  Chapter 27

  “I still don’t know how you all did it!” Jenna beamed as her friends gathered around her.

  “Perfect planning and execution,” Dave said.

  “The A-team!” Amy gave Dave a high-five.

  Jenna looked at Charlotte. “And when did you become a wedding celebrant?”

  “Hello? Have you seen me?” Charlotte asked, pointing at her belly. “I can hardly get around... all I have time and energy for now is to sit back and surf the internet. So, I got my license online.”

  “Lucky she passed the test!” Her husband Ben joked.

  “Awww... you guys!” Jenna placed her hands over her heart. “And what about my brothers?”

  “What about us?” Mick said as he came up behind the group.

  “How did you guys get involved in all of this?” Jenna asked as she put an arm around his waist.

  “Big Dave here,”—Mick used a thumb to point at him—“threatened us that if we didn’t come, he’d spend every waking moment making our lives miserable.”

  “Not that it’s hard to do,” Ethan said as he joined them. “We already have miserable lives!”

  “Speak for yourself—my life is fantastic,” their youngest brother, Caleb, chimed in.

  “Sure—fantastic.” Ethan rubbed his brother’s head. “You just keep telling yoursel
f that.”

  “Maybe you guys should consider moving back to Willow Oaks,” Sam, Amy’s husband, said. “I found the love of my life here.” He pulled Amy by the waist and kissed the top of her head.

  “Uh yeah... about that...” Ethan leaned in. “Is anyone going to introduce me to that babe?”

  “What babe?” Jenna asked.

  Ethan looked over his shoulder. “The one with Mom.”

  “Mallory? She’s—wait!” Jenna grabbed his arm and smiled. “She’s Mom’s nurse. Have you got the hots for her? She’s so sweet! She’s perfect for you!”

  “Okay everybody!” Carly yelled over the crowd. “It’s time for the bride to toss the bouquet!”

  Charlotte laughed. “Leave it to Carly to lead the bouquet toss.”

  “Calling all the single ladies!” Carly nodded to the violinist who hit play on a portable CD player. Beyoncé’s voice blasted through the little speakers singing, All the Single Ladies.

  “Oh, my Aphrodite!” Amy laughed. “She even brought her own mini boombox! “I love it!”

  “Jenna!” Carly called out to her. “Get your fabulous butt over here—and bring that bouquet with you.”

  Jenna playfully sashayed over to where all the single ladies gathered. “Are you all ready?”

  “Hang on—Mallory!” Carly called to Lorraine Myers’s nurse. “You’re not getting out of this. Get in here, girl!”

  Jenna glanced at Mallory, who turned a bright shade of pink.

  Mallory shook her head. “Oh no, I couldn’t.” She smiled sweetly—or in embarrassment. “I’m working. I can’t.”

  “Go on, dear,” Lorraine said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I can’t,” Mallory said again.

  “Mallo-ry! Mallo-ry!” Carly began to chant and all the single ladies followed.

  “If you don’t go up there, I’ll have to,” Lorraine threatened her with a smile. “I’m a single lady too, you know.”

  Mallory smiled as she got up and smoothed her steel blue chiffon dress. Her long hair was loosely braided and fell gently down the center of her back.

  “Woooo!” Carly and the single ladies cheered.

  “Ready?” Jenna said as she turned around.

  “One! Two! Three!” the crowd counted aloud.

  And with that, Jenna tossed the bouquet above her head and turned around to see who would catch it.

  “I’ve got it!” Carly jumped up to reach for it. But instead of catching it, she accidentally pushed it further along as it fell into Mallory’s hands.

  The crowd cheered.

  “Looks like you’ll be moving back to Willow Oaks soon,” Amy whispered in Ethan’s ear and gave him a soft nudge with her elbow.

  Ethan slipped his hands into his pockets and nodded approvingly. “Maybe...”

  “Mallory!” Amy called out. “Come over here... I want to introduce you to someone!”

  Ethan grabbed Amy’s arm. “What? Wait! I’m not ready.”

  “Yeah, Mallory! Come here, quick!” Charlotte joined in.

  Mallory turned to look at Amy. “Me?”

  Amy shushed Ethan and turned back to Mallory. “Yes, you!” Amy laughed. “Come here!”

  Jenna came up behind Ethan. “Sometimes, brother, you’ve just got to throw caution to the wind and go where the wind takes you.”

  Epilogue

  Six months later

  Dave stood at the entrance of the old church. He wrapped his arms around Jenna’s waist from behind and brought his face next to hers. “So, what do you think?” They’d been working hard with Earl Morgan’s crew, project managing the renovations to get the church restored. It hadn’t come without its difficulties, but they’d got through each one—talking through options, discussing possibilities, and making compromises.

  Jenna leaned against him and shook her head. “It looks—amazing,” as she eyed the burgundy velvet curtains that hung from the ceiling and fell elegantly on the stage floor.

  “Yeah? Nothing short of spectacular!” Dave kissed her on the cheek. “And it’s all yours.”

  “What if I fail?” Jenna whispered.

  “Ah, but my darling,”—Dave spun her around to face him—“what if you succeed? We have built it, and now they will come.”

  “How do you do it?” Jenna asked. “How do you not get scared?”

  “I’m scared every single day, Jen,” Dave said. “But with you at my side, I know that everything will turn out fine.”

  Jenna smiled up at him. “What have I ever done to deserve you?”

  “It must be the same as whatever I’ve done to deserve you!” He kissed her nose. “Now get up there and bring the music home.”

  JENNA TIP-TOED TO KISS Dave. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. She still couldn’t believe it. “Come with me,” she said, as she took his hand and walked up to the stage.

  Jenna squeezed Dave’s hand as she looked on to the crowd that had gathered to support their grand opening. She tapped the mic. “Is this on? Can you hear me?”

  “Yup!” Someone shouted from the audience, and the rest of the crowd followed with applause and cheer.

  “Thank you all for coming today. Dave and I truly appreciate each and every one of you who have come to support us.” Jenna looked at Dave, who smiled back at her. In the audience were her best friends, Amy, Sam, Charlotte, and Ben, who were all grinning encouragingly up at her. And beside them were Ethan, Lorraine, and Mallory. “Ever since I was a child, all I wanted to do was to sing and perform.”

  “Oh, we remember!” Another voice shouted and everyone laughed along.

  “Thank you”—Jenna laughed—“to all of you who dropped pennies into my bucket as I danced in my tutu in the town center as a child.”

  Once again, the crowd laughed with her.

  “So, as it turns out, the saying is true—it’s never too late to go after your dreams. Life is funny. And it’s easy to get swept up in the pressures that every day may bring, if we’re not careful. But a wise woman once told me, sometimes, you just have to throw caution to the wind; and go where it takes you. And I’m so glad that I did.”

  Jenna looked at her mom, who smiled proudly up at her from the front row of seats.

  “For me, it really is a dream come true,” Jenna continued. “Today, Stewart & Stewart—or just Dave and Jenna to all of you—is happy to announce that the Willow Oaks Repertory Theater is now officially open!”

  Another round of applause erupted along with whistles and cheers.

  “The Willow Oaks Repertory Theater will be our very own arts and music center, bringing you theater performances and concerts, featuring a cast of our very own residents alongside other artists from across the County—and the country!”

  Jenna handed Dave the mic. “In addition to that, we will be offering performing arts classes for our young people to explore their artistic passions—be it dance, acting, or singing. These classes will be taught by our very own, Jenna Stewart!”

  Jenna’s heart swelled as the walls echoed with applause. When Dave suggested that they turn the church into a performing arts theater, she couldn’t believe it. “What about the clinic,” she asked him.

  “I’ll find another place.” Dave shrugged. “It’s too big for a small-town practice, anyway.”

  And just like that—as if the entire universe had heard their wish and conspired to grant it—a small two-bedroom cottage went on the property market. It was perfect. Within three months of them signing the property deed, Dave was able to quit his job at the hospital and opened his clinic offering his services to the town. They’d offered Mallory the job of practice nurse, which she gladly accepted.

  It didn’t take long for the people of Willow Oaks to get behind Dave. And some of his patients, who he’d worked with for many years while at the County Hospital, had also followed him to Willow Oaks.

  And the children—well, they loved having their dad around. Dave hadn’t missed a single one of Rory’s soccer games and was always present
for Macy’s Friday dance classes. He’d also volunteered to join the school PTA and had presented a talk on Eating Healthy to the students.

  AS THE PEOPLE ENJOYED the catering that Charlotte’s team had prepared, Jenna and Dave cuddled the twins, Noah and Lucas. “Aren’t they just gorgeous?” Jenna looked at Dave.

  “Just like their dad, huh?” Ben quipped.

  “Just like their mom!” Charlotte came up from behind.

  “You’re both wrong. They’re cuties just like their auntie,” Jenna finally said.

  As it turned out, Charlotte was pregnant with two boys—not one boy and one girl, as they’d originally thought from the ultrasound. Life sure was full of surprises.

  The End

  THANK YOU

  Thank you for reading Love Me Again – A Willow Oaks Sweet Romance. I truly hope you enjoyed the following the journey of Jenna and Dave, as they navigated the trials and difficulties of marriage.

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  Keep reading for a sneak peek of Love Me Always which follows the story of Mallory and Ethan. Or get your full copy today.

  SNEAK PEEK OF LOVE ME ALWAYS

  Chapter 1 - Prologue

  Three Months Earlier

  Mallory Church gently dabbed at her tears—both happy and sad—as she watched the beautiful renewal of vows that were exchanged right before her. The happy tears were for the couple and the sad ones... well, those were for her.