“What?”
“Your favorite book.”
“How do you know my favorite book?”
He straightened his back and looked insulted. “The fourth day you and I were in the office we were talking about cheesy movies. You said you much prefer books and I teased you relentlessly for it. Then you explained to me why books were better. They forced you to imagine the pained look of the broken-hearted woman. You had to find a way to feel the tears on her cheeks or hear the belly laughs of a couple newly in love. The picture would look different for every reader which made it powerfully personal.”
“You remember all that?”
“Yes and you used this book as an example.” He pulled it down from the shelf and grinned proudly. He was right. He remembered.
“I didn’t think you were listening to me half the time.” She dropped her head and fidgeted with her bracelet.
“I heard every word. Every breath. I watched every movement you made because I was in love with you from the start. I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to love you, but I was always in love with you. I was stupid enough to think that might be enough. Because even just the idea of loving you from afar brought me some peace.”
“I’m glad you’re not doing it from afar.” She closed the gap between them and made a move for the book, but he held it back.
“I want to read you something.” He cracked open the weathered spine and searched for only a moment. He knew what he was looking for. “In the darkest moment she never extinguished. From the most dreadful of nightmares she would wake him. When hope was long forgotten she could inspire him. She was everything he was afraid of. Surpassed only by the fear of living without her. She was his forever.”
“That’s my favorite line.” She dabbed at her eyes. “He’s finally woken up and realized that a life alone is a shadow of an existence. How did you know that line was in there? Did Aileen tell you?”
“I read it.”
“When?”
“The night you told me about it. I left the office, went and bought it and stayed up all night reading it. It made me feel close to you, like I could understand a piece of you. I couldn’t appreciate those lines at the time but now they make perfect sense.” He tucked a bookmark into the page and handed it over to her. Dangling from the tassel of the leather strip was a ring.
She gasped. “Are you proposing to me in a bookstore?” She shrieked and pulled the bookmark and ring out of the book.
“That depends, is that good?”
“Unless you’re going to screw it up. Please don’t because, it’s basically been my dream since the first time I went to a library. Falling in love surrounded by the stories I love.”
“Then I better get this right.” He took a knee and looked up at her with bold determination and love. “You are my light, the one who wakes me from the nightmares, the restorer of hope. The thing I fear, but more so fear ever having to live without. Every book on these shelves, with all their words and semantics and subtext couldn’t come close to summarizing the way I feel about you. They couldn’t begin to explain what you have brought to my life. A million books. A million authors. They couldn’t touch what we have.”
“You’re not screwing it up,” Maribel said through a sputtering sob. “You did it perfect.”
“But I’m still waiting on one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“You haven’t said yes.”
“Oh!” She pulled him up to his feet and laughed. “Yes, a million times yes.”
He slid the ring on her finger and kissed her passionately. “Now we need to get back to the wedding. I planned to do this much later but I just couldn’t wait.”
“You couldn’t?”
“No. Every minute you weren’t engaged to me was torture.” They rushed out of the bookstore, her makeup smeared and her cheeks flushed.
“I’m going to take the ring off,” she explained. “I don’t want to intrude on Junie’s special day. We can tell her tomorrow.”
“You’re a good friend. We’re all lucky to have you.”
They practically sprinted back to the tent behind the hotel and breathlessly caught the end of the cake cutting. Hugo had been kind to Junie, just smearing a little on her nose. Junie on the other hand took the tradition seriously, planting a handful into Hugo’s grinning face.
“Help me clean this up,” Junie said, pulling Maribel toward the small counter behind the bar where she could wash her hands. “Have you been crying?”
“Uh, just happy tears,” Maribel choked out. “I’m happy for you.”
“Oh my gosh, he did it didn’t he?” Junie squealed. “Let me see.”
“I took it off,” Maribel said sheepishly as she tried to hide her hand. “I didn’t want to steal your thunder. This is your day.”
“Steal my thunder? You made the whole damn storm, you’re not stealing anything. Aden already told me just how much of all this was you’re doing. If not for you, we wouldn’t be here. I’m standing in the field where my father stood as a child. He picked blueberries just down that hill. I’m hearing stories of how he was as a baby. It’s the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. I’m a little disappointed about you and Aden though.”
“You are?” Maribel asked as her heart screeched to a stop.
“I was rooting for you to marry one of my brothers. Bring a little class to those knuckleheads and become my sister at the same time. But I guess if you’re going to be picky and marry for love, I’ll have to respect that.”
“I appreciate the understanding,” Maribel laughed.
“Plus you’re already my sister anyway.” Junie squeezed Maribel in a tight hug. “You two make a great couple. I’m really happy for you.”
“I’m happy for you,” she whispered into Junie’s beaded lace clad shoulder. “I didn’t ever think life could be this good.”
“Yes you did,” Junie corrected. “And we all need that from you. That belief that happiness isn’t fleeting and that we can do the impossible, that’s what you bring to the world.”
“You’re going to have to help me remember that when we get back to the office and I’m working with my fiancé.”
“I’ll be busy working with my husband and trying not to kill him when he decides to criticize something I’ve done. But I do promise to back you up when he’s an idiot. I’m team Maribel.”
“I’m team Junie.”
Hugo cleared his throat. “And who exactly is team Hugo because that person could help me get the cake out of my ear.”
“I’m sure that Aden would be glad to help you with that.” Junie said, slapping a hand to his back.
“You better get cleaned up,” Maribel teased. “I have one more surprise for you.”
“What?” Junie lit with excitement. “What more could you possibly do?”
“Go sit and you’ll see.” Maribel twisted her face up. “Well get the cake out of Hugo’s ear and then go sit down.”
Maribel gave the signal to Aden who was waiting to que up the surprise. This had been Kenan’s idea. And a brilliant one at that.
“Did I hear he popped the question?” Kenan asked, tucking his hands into his suit pocket. “Nice to see he smartened up.”
“I hope I didn’t give you the wrong impression of Aden. It was a confusing time for both of us. He’s a good man.”
“He’s a lucky one.” He chuckled and shrugged. “But I’m happy for you if this is what you want.”
“It is. And what about you? What do you want?”
“For the first time in a while I can’t answer that question. I used to say I wanted to get out of Gallamare. I used to pretend I couldn’t because people here needed me too much.”
“They don’t?”
“They need me, but they don’t need me right here. That was my excuse never to have to take the chance to leave. I guess I’m a little like my mom in that way. I let the pressure dictate what I would do.”
“And now?”
“N
ow I don’t feel any pressure at all. I’ve got this whole new family. Auntie Aileen is basically kicking me out of the country, telling me to go live my life. Experience things my mother never got to. This wedding, and the publicity from it is going to infuse this place with business for years to come.”
“Yeah, that magazine cover photoshoot they did this morning will do wonders for the community.” Maribel felt hopeful for Gallamare and Kenan.
“Junie invited me to Texas. She said she knew a few restaurants looking for chef. I could stay in one of their empty apartments when I get there.”
“I think you’d like it there. We’d be glad to have you around.”
“I could make sure Aden isn’t messing stuff up with you. Keep him on his toes.”
“I’m sure he’d love that.” She laughed and rolled her eyes. “You two would get along nicely actually. And I’m sure there is a woman in Texas who wouldn’t be able to resist that accent and your charm.”
“It looks like they’re ready for my gift,” Kenan said gesturing with his chin at Junie and Hugo who were settled into their chairs at the head table. Aden pulled the large projection screen to the middle of the dance floor.
“This was a good idea man,” Aden said, clearing his throat. “They’re really going to appreciate it.”
“Thanks,” Kenan said, a little begrudgingly. Maribel couldn’t help but smile. The lights under the tent went dim as a slide show set to music started to play. The town had graciously gathered all the photographs they had of Ian O’Malley and his family when he was young.
Junie had known her father her whole life, but never seen him as a young man. He’d arrived without much and certainly no pictures. Maribel could see from across the space that Junie was sobbing, clinging to Hugo for support.
“You’re thinking of coming to Texas?” Aden asked, folding his arms across his chest.
“Thinking about it.” Kenan nodded. “Not sure.”
Aden looped an arm over Maribel’s shoulder. “You should. It’s a cool place. You’d like it.”
Kenan nodded. Maribel laughed at this macho form of communication. It was one step above grunts and growls. But it was getting the job done. Inroads were being made, even caveman style.
When the pictures stopped and the low lights came back on she drew in a deep breath. The soft harp began to play.
“How about that dance?” Aden asked leading her toward the dance floor. As he slipped his arms around her she could feel his lips pressed to her ear. “You know the best part about today? The fact that I can’t stop looking forward to all our tomorrows.”
The End
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Stay tuned to find out if Kenan finds love with the help of his new brothers. Look for
The Boston Pub Series coming Winter 2018.
Books in the Barrington Billionaire Synchronized World
By Ruth Cardello:
Always Mine
Stolen Kisses
Trade It All
Let It Burn
More Than Love
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By Jeannette Winters:
One White Lie
Table For Two
You & Me Make Three
Virgin For The Fourth Time
His For Five Nights
After Six
Seven Guilty Pleasures
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By Danielle Stewart:
Fierce Love
Wild Eyes
Crazy Nights
Loyal Hearts
Untamed Devotion
Stormy Attraction
Foolish Temptations
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You can now download all Barrington Billionaire books by Danielle Stewart in a “Sweet” version. Enjoy the clean and wholesome version, same story without the spice. If you prefer the hotter version be sure to download the original. The Sweet version still contains adult situations and relationships.
* * *
Fierce Love - Sweet Version
Wild Eyes - Sweet Version
Crazy Nights - Sweet Version
Loyal Hearts - Sweet Version
Untamed Devotion - Sweet Version
Stormy Attraction - Sweet Version - Coming Soon
Foolish Temptations - Sweet Version - Coming Soon
Also by Danielle Stewart
Piper Anderson Series:
Book 1: Chasing Justice
Book 2: Cutting Ties
Book 3: Changing Fate
Book 4: Finding Freedom
Book 5: Settling Scores
Book 6: Battling Destiny
Book 7: Unearthing Truth
Book 8: Defending Innocence (Pre-Order)
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Piper Anderson Bonus Material:
Chris & Sydney Collection – Choosing Christmas & Saving Love
Betty's Journal - Bonus Material (suggested to be read after Book 4 to avoid spoilers)
* * *
Edenville Series – A Piper Anderson Spin Off:
Book 1: Flowers in the Snow
Book 2: Kiss in the Wind
Book 3: Stars in a Bottle
Book 4: Fire in the Heart
* * *
Piper Anderson Legacy Mystery Series:
Book 1: Three Seconds To Rush
Book 2: Just for a Heartbeat
Book 3: Not Just an Echo
The Clover Series:
Hearts of Clover - Novella & Book 2: (Half My Heart & Change My Heart)
Book 3: All My Heart
* * *
Over the Edge Series:
Book 1: Facing Home
Book 2: Coming Soon: Winter 2018
Midnight Magic Series:
Amelia
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Rough Waters Series:
Book 1: The Goodbye Storm
Book 2: The Runaway Storm
Book 3: The Rising Storm
Stand Alones:
Running From Shadows
Yours for the Taking
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Multi-Author Series including books by Danielle Stewart
* * *
All are stand alone reads and can be enjoyed in any order.
* * *
Indigo Bay Series:
A multi-author sweet romance series
Sweet Dreams - Stacy Claflin
Sweet Matchmaker - Jean Oram
Sweet Sunrise - Kay Correll
Sweet Illusions - Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Regrets - Jennifer Peel
Sweet Rendezvous - Danielle Stewart
* * *
Short Holiday Stories in Indigo Bay:
A multi-author sweet romance series
Sweet Holiday Wishes - Melissa McClone
Sweet Holiday Surprise - Jean Oram
Sweet Holiday Memories - Kay Correll
Sweet Holiday Traditions - Danielle Stewart
* * *
Return to Christmas Falls Series:
A multi-author sweet romance series
Homecoming in Christmas Falls: Ciara Knight
Honeymoon for One in Christmas Falls: Jennifer Peel
Once Again in Christmas Falls: Becky Monson
Rumor has it in Christmas Falls: Melinda Curtis
Forever Yours in Christmas Falls: Susan Hatler
Love Notes in Christmas Falls: Beth Labonte
Finding the Truth in Christmas Falls: Danielle Stewart
* * *
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Author Contact Information
Website: AuthorDanielleStewart.com
Email: AuthorDanielleStewart@Gmail.com
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Danielle Stewart, Foolish Temptations