by Reina Torres
The door opened up and Hildie backed out of the room, closing it as softly as she could. “Sloane is completely blissed out and relaxing with Lora so I thought I’d come out here and-”
She stopped short, her mouth open in shock after she turned around. “What...” she blinked at Jake and looked at the box and then looked at Vicente. “Did I just interrupt a special moment?”
Jake turned toward Hildie, his hand still held out. “I was showing him the ring that I bought for you and here you are.”
“For... for me?” She brought her hands up and laid them both over her heart. “Really?”
She always seemed to stun him with her beauty and her genuine spirit. “Yes, really.” He wiggled the ring free of the lining and tucked the box back in his suit coat pocket. “Want to try it on?”
When she held out her hand, he didn’t miss seeing how it shook. So, he held it gently, warming her fingers for a moment before he slid the ring onto her finger.
He felt an almost physical kick in his chest when he saw the beautiful woman standing before him look at the ring on her finger as if she’d never seen something so amazing.
“Hildie Faraday, would you marry me?”
It was a pink tourmaline stone, with the soft light coming in through the windows it seemed to shimmer along with the art deco halo of tapered baguette diamonds surrounding the pink.
Hildie struggled to find the words to express the joy and wonder she felt as she looked down at what might be the most perfect ring ever created in the world, maybe even in history! How amazing that the color was the same pink that she loved to add into her hair and her favorite pair of pumps. Oh, and that purse she’d always wanted at the consignment store but hadn’t quite been able to justify the price, but goodness gracious it was beautiful, but not as beautiful as the man who’d just put it on her finger.
She lifted her gaze to his face and blurted out her apology. “I just don’t know what to say!”
Vicente coughed as he filmed the moment for his wife. “I’m pretty sure your inside voice was stuck on ‘outside’ for the last few minutes. You said a lot.”
Her cheeks burning with embarrassment, she turned back to look at Jake who hadn’t decided to run for the hills. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, Hill. I love that inside voice just as much as the rest of you, and I’m still hoping that you’re going to give me an answer before the baptism. But even if you make me wait, I’ll wait.”
“No.”
Vicente was the only one who made a noise. “Hildie-”
Jake just stood there before her. “Uh, ohkay.”
“What?” Hildie looked from Jake to Vicente and back again. “What’s got you so weird?”
Blowing out a breath, Vicente shook his head. “He asked you to marry him and you said... No.”
“No,” she shook her head. “I told him I wasn’t going to make him wait.” She blinked up at Jake. “I said that, right?”
He shook his head and then nodded. “You said ‘no’ but you didn’t say the rest of it, at least not out loud.”
“Oh goodness, I’m a big ol’ mess, aren’t I?” She almost stopped talking but Vicente gave her a look that turned her gaze back to Jake. “Yes! I’m going to marry you before you can change your mind.”
Jake reached for her and wrapped his arms around her body to pull her close. “Not going to happen, Hill. You’re stuck with me forever.”
She leaned into his embrace and tilted her head back for his kiss. “I’m the luckiest girl in the world, Jake. Kiss me.”
And goodness he could certainly follow instructions, because that kiss was as amazing as the rest of him.
*
Get the next book in the series, Justice for Blyss, available NOW!
Susan Stoker’s Fan Fiction World
Rescuing Hi`liani
San Antonio First Responders Series
Justice for Sloan
Justice for Miranda
Shelter for Viviana
Justice for Hildie
Justice for Blyss
Shelter for Aylin
Sylvan City Alphas Series
The Tiger’s Innocent Bride
Too Much to Bear
The Fighter
Bear His Mark
Center City First Responders
Wild Hearts
Her Rock
Mystic Mountain Series
Winter
Xavier
Locke
Three Rivers Express Series
Always, Ransom
Always, Wyeth
Always, Ellis
Orsino Security Series
Her Unbearable Protector
His UnBearable Touch
Their Unbearable Destiny
St. Raphael, CA Series
Finding Home
Playing With Fire
Healing Hearts
Taking a Chance
Shapeshifters of Arcadia
Beneath the Surface
Ellingsford, Montana Series
Stay With Me
Her Gentle Heart
Hold Her Close
Other
Too Much Bear
Home to Roost
Loving Graystoke’s Heir
Jesse
The Mechanic
Gingerbear Christmas
About the Author
Who would have thought that I'd start off as a painfully shy child writing stories and end up as a painfully shy adult writing books and publishing them for others to read? Crazy? That's me!!
When I was a little girl, I read every book I could get my hands on and if I didn't have one available to read, I'd get out my pencils and paper and write down stories and scenes. Waiting for my mom to finish working, I'd duck into the ladies' break room and use the typewriter. I'd feel like Jessica Fletcher, happily tap, tap, tapping away until I got to 'The End.' Couldn't quite get the flourish after that and end up tearing the paper, but it was cool and scary to sit down and read the book or give it to my friends to read.
Now my 'typewriter' doesn't clack the same way and the I don't even have paper to pull out of it with a nod of satisfaction, but I have the joy and excitement of sharing my characters and books with people all around the world!
I hope you'll enjoy reading my books, because I'm going to keep writing as long as the characters are feeling chatty!
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Christie Adams: Charity’s Heart
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Linzi Baxter: Unlocking Dreams
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Alice Bello: Shadowing Milly
Heather Blair: Rescue Me
Anna Blakely: Rescuing Gracelynn
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
Anne Conley: Redemption for Misty
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Janie Crouch: Storm
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Sarah Curtis: Securing the Odds
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Tarina Deaton: Found in the Lost
Aspen Drake, Intense
KL Donn: Unraveling Love
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
PJ Fiala: Defending Sophie
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Michele Gwynn: Rescuing Emma
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
&nb
sp; Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kris Jacen, Be With Me
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Kimberly McGath: The Predecessor
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
Lynn Michaels, Rescuing Kyle
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Keira Montclair, Wolf and the Wild Scots
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
Angela Nicole: Protecting the Donna
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Victoria Paige: Reclaiming Izabel
Anne L. Parks: Mason
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
TL Reeve and Michele Ryan: Extracting Mateo
Elena M. Reyes: Keeping Ava
Angela Rush: Charlotte
Rose Smith: Saving Satin
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Lynne St. James: SEAL’s Spitfire
Dee Stewart: Conner
Harley Stone: Rescuing Mercy
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Reina Torres, Rescuing Hi’ilani
Savvi V: Loving Lex
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Rachel Young: Because of Marissa
Delta Team Three Series
Lori Ryan: Nori’s Delta
Becca Jameson: Destiny’s Delta
Lynne St James, Gwen’s Delta
Elle James: Ivy’s Delta
Riley Edwards, Hope’s Delta
Police and Fire: Operation Alpha World
Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn
B.P. Beth: Scott
Jane Blythe: Salvaging Marigold
Julia Bright, Justice for Amber
Anna Brooks, Guarding Georgia
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
Deanndra Hall: Shelter for Sharla
Barb Han: Kace
EM Hayes: Gambling for Ashleigh
CM Steele: Guarding Hope
Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane
Aubree Valentine, Justice for Danielle
Maddie Wade: Finding English
Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright
Laine Vess: Justice for Lauren
Tarpley VFD Series
Silver James, Fighting for Elena
Deanndra Hall, Fighting for Carly
Haven Rose, Fighting for Calliope
MJ Nightingale, Fighting for Jemma
TL Reeve, Fighting for Brittney
Nicole Flockton, Fighting for Nadia
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper
Securing Zoey
Securing Avery
Securing Kalee
Securing Jane (Feb 2021)
SEAL Team Hawaii Series
Finding Elodie (Apr 2021)
Finding Lexie (Aug 2021)
Finding Kenna (Oct 2021)
Finding Monica (TBA)
Finding Carly (TBA)
Finding Ashlyn (TBA)
Delta Team Two Series
Shielding Gillian
Shielding Kinley
Shielding Aspen (Oct 2020)
Shielding Riley (Jan 2021)
Shielding Devyn (May 2021)
Shielding Ember (Sep 2021)
Shielding Sierra (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily (novella)
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie (novella)
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (Novella)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren
Shelter for Penelope
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
[email protected]