“How could I ever forget? That was the day you let me into your heart.”
It was a cold Sunday in early November, and they’d taken his boat to Capshaw Island, a small fishing town with wild ponies, a wildlife sanctuary, and not much commercialization. They’d walked through the town and gone out to the beach where the ponies ran free. They’d cuddled up, bundled in blankets, and watched the ponies for the longest time. She’d never forget the way he’d slowly relaxed, letting go of the tension she hadn’t even realized he’d carried until that very moment on the beach. The same tension, she now understood, he’d possessed every day since, until just hours ago. That day on the island was the first time he’d told her about the abuse he and Sarah had suffered, the fear he and his siblings had lived with, and the guilt he’d felt for not being able to protect Sarah from their parents’ wrath or Josie from the fights she’d been forced to watch.
He touched his lips to hers as they danced and said, “I realize now that I never finished letting you in. I’ve been living inside a suit of armor, trying to protect everyone else in case my father was inside of me. But when I realized I was going to lose you, I knew I had to find a way to break free from it and see what was left. It turns out it wasn’t my father inside after all. It was fear of becoming him eating me alive. I’d trapped it inside myself for so long, I had no idea how else to be. You changed that, sweetheart. Your love set me free. I am going to do all the things I promised, and I’m sure it won’t be easy for either of us. Thank you for seeing in me what I never allowed myself to see. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to this point.”
She hadn’t thought it was possible to love him more than she already did, but now she knew she was wrong. “I would have waited forever for you, Scotty, even if it meant living in separate houses and raising our child together but apart. I knew in my heart that one day you’d see yourself as I always have and come back to us. That day just came a lot sooner than I thought possible, and I am so glad it did.”
He touched his forehead to hers and said, “I love you, sweets.” He stopped dancing and lowered himself down in front of her, placing his hands to her belly, and said, “I’m going to be the best damn daddy this world has ever seen.”
He pressed a kiss to her belly, and tears sprang to Penny’s eyes. In that moment, beneath the twinkling lights of the colonnade, surrounded by the people they loved most, with a lifetime of love ahead of them, she knew that together they could handle the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Chapter Seven
THE SMELL OF melted butter wafted into the living room, making Penny’s mouth water as she queued up The Proposal on their television. At fourteen weeks pregnant, she had so many cravings, no food group was safe—including boyfriend à la mode.
It had been two months since Bones and Sarah’s wedding, seven weeks since Penny had moved in with Scott, and two weeks since they’d heard the baby’s heartbeat. She placed her hand over her tiny belly, remembering how she and Scott had cried when they’d heard it. She hadn’t expected him to cry, too, but he’d been surprising her a lot lately. Not a day went by when he didn’t kiss her belly or talk to the baby. He’d even begun asking about paint colors for the second bedroom to make it into a nursery.
“Are you making popcorn?” she called out to him in the kitchen where he was getting her a dish of ice cream.
“Yeah. You want some with your ice cream?”
She turned to look at him, shirtless on the other side of the half wall. She swore he looked even more handsome every day.
“Yes, please,” Penny said. “Would you mind bringing a bowl of blueberries, too?”
He laughed. “You’ve got it, sweets.” His gaze traveled down her body. She was still wearing the off-the-shoulder pink blouse and black miniskirt she’d worn to Roni’s solo dance performance earlier that evening, which was incredible. “Mm-mm. I am one lucky man. You are stunning.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She blew him a kiss.
“I thought up a new sundae for you.”
He was always coming up with new ideas for her shop. His latest was the We’re Having a Baby sundae, a banana split made to look like a baby carriage with Oreos as wheels.
“Yay! I’m going to have to buy a bigger chalkboard for the shop at this rate. What is it?”
“I’m making it for you. I’ll show you when I bring it out.”
She could hardly believe how wholly he was embracing fatherhood, but he’d changed in other ways, too. He was more open, talking about the future like he never would have before. Their lovemaking had changed, too. Sometimes Scott was even more loving and tender, and other times he was animalistic, a little rough and exploratory—and she loved both. She knew those changes had to do with how much trust he’d gained in himself and how much closer they’d become since he’d started therapy the week after she’d moved in.
He’d gone to his first session alone and had asked her to join him from then on. It wasn’t easy for either of them, even though Quincy and Roni, who had both gone through therapy, had warned them about the ways in which it could dredge up repressed feelings and memories. Penny hadn’t been prepared for how much it hurt to see Scott reliving those awful times. But she was glad he allowed her to be by his side as they learned to navigate his past to clear a way to their future. It had given her more insight and understanding about why he’d worn that armor he’d described the day of the wedding and why it had been so difficult to strip it away.
She’d always known Scott was brave, but therapy had taken another type of courage and strength, proving once again that there was nothing Scott Beckley couldn’t accomplish.
“Is that another cravings smile?” Scott asked.
She hadn’t realized she was staring. “Yes, but not for food.” Feeling extra frisky, she said, “Actually, you should bring the whipped cream with you.”
His eyes heated, sending images of him lying naked on the couch with whipped cream on his…
Stopstopstop!
She couldn’t get enough of him lately. When she’d told Finlay that her hormones had gone wild, her sister had said, Just wait until you hit your fourth and fifth month. You’ll want to tie him to the bed twenty-four hours a day.
Penny was already there.
He came out of the kitchen carrying a massive bowl piled high with ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, blueberries, chocolate chips, cherries, and rainbow sprinkles.
“Holy cow, Scotty!” She sat up to get a better look as he placed the bowl on the coffee table. “Did you use the whole half gallon?”
“Every drop.”
“I hope we’re sharing it,” she said, looking over the enormous sundae. “This looks delicious. What do you call it?”
“I call it the Will You Marry Me sundae.” He dropped to one knee and turned the sundae around, revealing an ice cream altar with a plastic bride and groom holding hands beside a tiny baby carriage.
Penny’s jaw dropped in disbelief, her eyes filling with tears. “Ohmygod.”
He took her hand, the brightest smile she’d ever seen curving his lips as he said, “I’ve practiced this a hundred times over the last month, and I knew exactly what I was going to say. But now my heart is racing, and you’re so beautiful, and you’re here in our house, on our couch, building a life with me that I never imagined having, and I can barely think straight.” Tears glistened in his eyes, drawing more from her, as he said, “I want more, Penny. I want the world to know you’re mine and I’m yours. I want our babies to grow up with parents they can count on to stick it out through thick and thin, and after what we’ve gone through these last couple of months, I know there’s nothing we can’t handle. I want to make love on our boat, take our kids to all the places we’ve explored together, and I want to find your hair clips in our couch when we’re old and gray.”
Nervous laughter bubbled out.
“You gave me the courage to let myself love wholly and freely and to be the man I’m supposed to be. You stuck by m
y side, and I want to stick by yours forever. Penelope Anne Wilson, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him hard, her salty tears slipping between their lips. “I love you so much, Scotty. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“And I can’t wait to be your husband.”
He reached behind the sundae and held up a small black box with a pink bow on it, which he must have hidden there when he set it down. “I know your father used to celebrate your milestones with gifts with pink bows on them. I hope this is okay.”
“It’s more than okay,” she said shakily.
He opened the box and held up a ring. She’d never seen anything so beautiful and elegant. A halo of white diamonds circled a halo of chocolate diamonds, and in the center was a stunning canary diamond, all shimmering under the lights.
“Scotty,” she said shakily. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s one of a kind, like you.” As he put it on her finger, he said, “A woman who makes sundaes that bring sunshine into everyone else’s life deserves something just as magical in her own.”
“I have something magical in my life. I have you.”
“And Moana,” he said, making them both laugh.
“You’ve given me everything I could ever want—a reason to smile every morning when I wake up in your loving arms, a home to call our own, and our happy little family in the making.”
“And we’re going to have a hell of a lot of fun making it.” He lowered his lips to hers, sealing their promises, and their futures, with their best kisses yet—kisses of a husband and wife to be.
Ready for More Whiskeys?
If you’re an avid reader of the Whiskeys, grab Diesel and Tracey’s book, RUNNING ON DIESEL, below. If this is your first Whiskey book, the series began with TRU BLUE, Truman and Gemma’s love story. Continue reading for a link to the entire Whiskeys series as well as information about SEARCHING FOR LOVE, the book in which the Colorado Whiskeys are introduced, and A LITTLE BIT WICKED, the first book in The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside series.
Fall in love with Tracey and Diesel!
Desmond “Diesel” Black is a Nomad with the Dark Knights motorcycle club. He protects others with his life and always rides alone. Tracey Kline left the only family she had for a man who broke more than her spirit, leaving her untrusting and on her own. When a twist of fate reveals pieces of the other no one else sees, will they be able to help each other mend their past hurts and learn to trust the chemistry and connection that’s too strong to deny?
Buy RUNNING ON DIESEL
You can find all of the Whiskey books here:
The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor
Meet the Colorado Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch
and fall in love with the Bradens in SEARCHING FOR LOVE
Zev Braden and Carly Dylan were childhood best friends, co-explorers, and first loves. Their close-knit families were sure they were destined to marry—until a devastating tragedy broke the two lovers apart. Over the next decade Zev, a nomadic treasure hunter, rarely returned to his hometown, and Carly became a chocolatier, building a whole new life across the country. When a chance encounter brings them back into each other’s lives, can they find the true love that once existed, or will shattered dreams and broken hearts prevail? Find out in Searching for Love, a deliciously sexy, funny, and emotional second-chance romance.
Buy SEARCHING FOR LOVE
Ready for More Dark Knights?
Meet the Dark Knights at Bayside and
fall in love with the Wickeds, cousins to our beloved Whiskeys!
What do a cocky biker and a businesswoman who has sworn off dating bad boys have in common? According to Chloe Mallery, not much. But she couldn’t be more wrong…
Justin came into the Wicked family after a harsh upbringing by a thieving father. He’s gone through a lot to become a true Wicked, and he’s made them proud. Now he’s ready to show the woman he loves exactly what type of man he is. But Chloe has worked hard to move past her difficult upbringing, and she’s wary of getting involved with a man who looks like he’s walked right out of it. When tragedy strikes, will their trying pasts draw them together, or will Justin’s protective nature be too much for Chloe’s independent heart to accept?
Buy A LITTLE BIT WICKED
Remember to download your Whiskey/Wicked family tree here:
www.MelissaFoster.com/Wicked-Whiskey-Family-Tree
Love Melissa’s Writing?
If this is your first introduction to Melissa’s work, please note that the Whiskeys are just one of the many family series in Melissa’s Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. All Love in Bloom romances can be enjoyed as stand-alone novels. Characters appear in other family series, so you never miss out on an engagement, wedding, or birth. Discover more Love in Bloom magic and the collection here:
www.MelissaFoster.com/love-bloom-series
Melissa offers several free first-in-series ebooks. You can find them here:
www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree
Downloadable series checklists, reading orders, and more can be found on Melissa’s Reader Goodies page.
More Books By Melissa Foster
Love in Bloom Romance Collection
LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES order
Love in Bloom books may be read as stand alones. For more enjoyment, read them in series order. Characters from each series carry forward to the next.
SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White
THE BRADENS (Weston, CO)
Lovers at Heart, Reimagined
Destined for Love
Friendship on Fire
Sea of Love
Bursting with Love
Hearts at Play
THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO)
Taken by Love
Fated for Love
Romancing My Love
Flirting with Love
Dreaming of Love
Crashing into Love
THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD)
Healed by Love
Surrender My Love
River of Love
Crushing on Love
Whisper of Love
Thrill of Love
THE BRADENS & MONTGOMERYS (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)
Embracing Her Heart
Anything for Love
Trails of Love
Wild, Crazy Hearts
Making You Mine
Searching For Love
Hot For Love
BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS
Daring Her Love
Promise My Love
Our New Love
Story of Love
Love at Last
A Very Braden Christmas
THE REMINGTONS
Game of Love
Stroke of Love
Flames of Love
Slope of Love
Read, Write, Love
Touched by Love
SEASIDE SUMMERS
Seaside Dreams
Seaside Hearts
Seaside Sunsets
Seaside Secrets
Seaside Nights
Seaside Embrace
Seaside Lovers
Seaside Whispers
Seaside Serenade
BAYSIDE SUMMERS
Bayside Desires
Bayside Passions
Bayside Heat
Bayside Escape
Bayside Romance
Bayside Fantasies
THE STEELES AT SILVER ISLAND
Tempted by Love
My True Love
Always Her Love
Enticing Her Love
Caught by Love
Wild Island Love
THE RYDERS
Seized by Love
Claimed by Love
Chased by Love
Rescued by Love
Swept Into Love
THE WHISKEYS: DARK KNIGHTS AT PEACEFUL HA
RBOR
Tru Blue
Truly, Madly, Whiskey
Driving Whiskey Wild
Wicked Whiskey Love
Mad About Moon
Taming My Whiskey
The Gritty Truth
Running On Diesel
In For A Penny
SUGAR LAKE
The Real Thing
Only for You
Love Like Ours
Finding My Girl
HARMONY POINTE
Call Her Mine
This is Love
She Loves Me
THE WICKEDS: DARK KNIGHTS AT BAYSIDE
A Little Bit Wicked
The Wicked Aftermath
WILD BOYS AFTER DARK
Logan
Heath
Jackson
Cooper
BAD BOYS AFTER DARK
Mick
Dylan
Carson
Brett
HARBORSIDE NIGHTS
Includes characters from the Love in Bloom series
Catching Cassidy
Discovering Delilah
Tempting Tristan
Standalone Books by Melissa
Chasing Amanda (mystery/suspense)
Come Back to Me (mystery/suspense)
Have No Shame (historical fiction/romance)
Love, Lies & Mystery (3-book bundle)
Megan’s Way (literary fiction)
Traces of Kara (psychological thriller)
Where Petals Fall (suspense)
Acknowledgments
I hope you enjoyed Penny and Scott’s story as much as I loved writing it. You can thank my close friend Lisa Filipe for pushing me into writing this story now, rather than later, and for reminding me how important it is to listen to my characters and to squeeze their stories into my already jam-packed schedule before I lose their voices. Sleep is overrated, right? Thank you, Lisa, for being just as nutty as I am.
I’m looking forward to bringing you many more Whiskey love stories, including the upcoming Colorado Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch, whom you can meet in Searching for Love, a Bradens & Montgomerys novel.
In for a Penny Page 7