As Landon takes the ring out of the box and places it on me, cheers erupt. I pay them no attention though. Landon kisses my hand before standing and pulling me into his embrace. He tilts my head back and kisses me deeply. We continue kissing until I have to break away to take a breath.
“I love you so much Landon.”
“I love you babe.”
He smiles and waves everyone over. Sarah is the first to reach us. She hugs me before stealing my hand to examine the ring.
“You did good Landon.” She smiles and gives him a hug.
“Oh, girl let me see!” Jessy practically pushes through people to get a look at my ring. “I just knew it would be perfect.”
“Wait, you knew? Both of you!” I point to Sarah and Jessy. They shrug their shoulders and laugh.
“It’s our job to know,” Sarah says before strutting off towards Zander. I make a mental note to ask her about him later.
The rest of the evening passes by in a blur. From holding out my hand so people can see my ring, to dancing the night away. It’s been the perfect night.
By the time our last guest leaves, I’m exhausted, down right tired. Landon looks at me as we walk into the house.
“Let’s get you undressed shall we?” He winks at me as we continue down the hall.
“Yes, let’s.”
I give him a seductive smiling before walking in front of him swaying my hips.
Once in the room, Landon stands behind me unzipping my dress.
“I love taking your clothes off.”
“Do you now?”
He mumbles out a yes as he kisses my neck and lets the dress fall to the floor. I believe I hear him cuss under his breath. I take a step out of my dress and turn around to face him. There I stand in nothing but black and red lace, heels and a diamond on my hand. The look on Landon’s face as he looks me over gives me all the security I need in the world to know he truly loves me.
I stare back at him and just take him in. This is my life now, no more hiding. This girl is done running.
The End
Epilogue
1 Year Later
“Are you nervous Eleanor?” Sarah asks as she curls my hair.
It’s still long with highlights. I decided to keep the color because Landon loves it and well it’s grown on me.
“Not at all, I’m excited about today. Besides, what’s really going to change? My last name, that’s about it. We already live together.”
“That’s true, you are about to become Eleanor Miller. It sounds good.” My sister comes around to face me, “All done, have a look.”
She hands me a mirror. My hair is down, sections pulled back with rhinestone clips.
“It looks perfect. Thank you.”
Sarah places the tiara on my head as I continue to watch through the mirror. I opted for a small rhinestone tiara instead of a veil. It was more my style. Sarah and Jessy agreed.
“Promise you won’t forget about me Eleanor?”
I put the mirror down and glance at my sister and notice a lone tear fall down her cheek.
“Why Sarah, I could never forget about you. Don’t be silly.”
“You’re right. Sorry… sorry, I’m just all emotional. My baby sister is getting married.”
I pull her in for a long hug. “I love you Sarah, always. No one can replace you.”
I pull away, holding her hands in mine and smile at her.
“Miss me?” Jessy asks as she struts in interrupting our moment. She’s holding my gown in her arms. She went and had the dress steamed one more time to ensure no wrinkles would be visible.
“Sarah let’s get our dresses on and then help Evie,” Jessy calls as she sets my gown neatly across the bed. The girls grab their dresses and head into the bathroom. I take this quiet time to send Landon a text.
I love you. Can’t wait to marry you.
He replies back right away.
I love you too. Meet you at the altar.
I smile as I put my phone away. How did I get so lucky? The girls reappear in their dresses and I can’t help but admire how lovely they look.
“You guys! They are perfect!” I gush looking between Jessy and Sarah.
I chose lavender, off the shoulder, tea length gowns for them. They’re made of tulle, simple and elegant.
“We look hot don’t we?” Jessy says as she spins in front of the mirror before going on, “Zander is going to go nuts when he sees you Sarah.”
Sarah and I laugh. Her and Zander became a thing sometime after my birthday party. They have been dating for a short while. He knows all about Chet and has been a complete gentleman to my sister. I may or may not have warned him to behave, but Sarah doesn’t need to know all that.
“My turn!” I clap.
I’ll be wearing a white strapless mermaid style gown. There’s beaded flower work throughout the gown. I paired it with a simple choker that has one pear-shaped rhinestone. It came with matching studs.
Stepping into the dress I feel like a princess.
“My God Evie, you look exquisite,” Jessy whispers.
“Absolutely breathtaking,” Sarah replies.
I stand there stunned into silence. I have no words. I mean trying on the dress at the bridal shop was one thing, but having my hair and makeup done is an entirely different view point.
There’s a knock at the door. Jessy runs to see who it is while Sarah captures a photo of me looking in the mirror.
“It’s Mary, can she come in?” Jessy calls out. She’s been on crazy bridesmaid patrol. Making sure no one comes in that I do not want to see. She wants my day to be perfect.
“Yes, of course, please let her in.”
Mary has become like a mom to Sarah and I over the last year. She’s helped with planning the wedding too. That’s more than I can say about our mother, but I’ll save that for another day. Sam, my boss and Mary’s husband will be walking me down the aisle.
“Oh dear, you look beautiful,” Mary says while grabbing my hands.
“Thank you.” I go to pull her in for a hug but she shoos me away.
“No, no… we don’t want any wrinkles on the dress.”
I continue to pull her in and embrace her. When we finally part I see nothing but love in her eyes.
“Everything is ready to go. Sam should be here shortly. He wanted to talk to Landon first.”
Mary gives me a look that tells me Sam’s giving Landon the talk. It’s probably more like a lecture. She gives me a little smile before going over to the girls. She starts giving them last minute instructions. Grabbing my nude color lipstick I reapply it to my already painted lips just to touch up. My makeup is natural and light. My eyeshadow has a hint of shimmer. I really do feel like a princess. As I put the cap back on the lipstick, my sister calls me over to take a few more pictures before Sam arrives.
Sam arrives and I take him in. He’s dressed in khakis and a lavender and white pinstripe dress shirt. He smiles as soon as his eyes find me.
“You look lovely, very angelic.”
“Thank you Sam.”
“Are you ready for this?” he asks, taking my hand as he leads me to the door.
I’ll admit as we walk out the door I start to feel butterflies. With each step the feeling of nervousness grows. Landon and I decided on a backyard wedding. What better a place than the place where he proposed to me?
We meet in the kitchen, where the guys, minus Landon await. Zander is his best man and will walk Sarah down the aisle. Jessy will be walking with another friend of Landon’s, Josiah. He flew in from Texas. They went to high school and college together before Josiah moved.
“It’s time.” Sam nods to me, pulling me from my thoughts. I nod in return.
Butterflies start to take flight in my stomach again as the music starts but, the minute I step outside everything fades away as my eyes land on Landon standing in front of the gazebo. He’s looking directly at me. What a gorgeous sight he is. He’s dressed in a white dress shirt with a lavender bo
w tie and khaki’s. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look sexier. I feel as though I should pinch myself. Is this real life? How this man is mine, I’m not sure, but what I’m sure of is I’m never letting him go.
Sam approaches Landon and gives me a tight hug. I smile at him before looking back to the man I’m about to marry. His smile is huge and his green eyes are shining brighter than I’ve ever seen.
He takes my hand, “Come on baby, it’s time to become Mrs. Landon Miller.”
We were married on March 23rd, at noon. It was an intimate and beautiful ceremony. A day I will forever remember. Hand in hand with Landon, we said I Do and I vowed that no matter what storm may arise, we’ll fight it together. Landon Miller is the anchor to my soul and I’m living my happily forever after.
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Playlist
Lisamarie constantly listens to music for inspiration while writing. This playlist was created while writing The Secrets We Keep.
Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade
The Gift by Seether
I’m Comin’ Over by Chris Young
Quote by Evans Blue
Break On Me by Keith Urban
Unsteady by X Ambassadors
Tin Man by Miranda Lambert
It’s Not Your Fault by New Found Glory
Fix You by Coldplay
Like We Use To by A Rocket To The Moon
Other Side by Anberlin
Heartbeat Song by Kelly Clarkson
Waiting For Superman by Daughtry
Wait For You by Atreyu
Acknowledgments
To my readers~ If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading my debut novel. It means the world to me that you have read my very first book.
To my husband~ Thank you for supporting me 110%. Your love and never ending encouragement is something I’ll forever be grateful for.
To my children~ Thanks for putting up with me during the writing process. I live and breathe for you all, even if I may have yelled a lot. Remember, I love you forever.
To Erin~ Thank you for being with me on this journey. For always listening as I ran ideas by you. Thank you for being my very first Beta reader. I freaking love you.
To Brooke~ Thank you so much for helping me through this process. I would have never gotten this far without you and your guidance. All your advice got here, to this very page and I’m so blessed to call you a friend. Really, thank you for everything.
To Ethan and Julia~ Thank you both for being so supportive. Your chats and messages mean so much to me.
To my ARC readers~ Thank you for reading and reviewing my book. Thank you for helping get it out for the world to read.
To my two favorite teachers, Christine and Jaime~ I’ve always looked up to you both and I’m so thankful to have had your guidance. You may not realize it, but the two of you have been my role models for a very long time. You’ve inspired and encouraged me over the years and I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate you both. Ever since that day in Home Depot, when I told you I was writing a book, the excitement on your face meant everything to me. A simple thank you will never be enough. Thank you for believing in me.
To Nicole~ Thank you so much for telling me to follow my dream. You’ve helped keep me going, even when it was hard.
To Katie, Amber, Jen, & Mrs. Betz~ Thank you for letting me bug you late at night to get your thoughts and opinions.
To my cover designer, Amanda~ Thank you for creating the perfect cover. It’s more than beautiful, and I owe it all to you.
To Beth at Magnolia Author Services~ Thank you for all your help and feedback to make this story perfect.
About the Author
Lisamarie Kade lives in the Sunshine State with her husband, loads of children, and 2 naked dogs. Coffee and chocolate are her go to most days. She believes music is life.
When she isn't busy with her family she enjoys reading, writing, and going to concerts.
The Secrets We Keep Page 13