A Chance This Christmas(49)
She knew how much he risked asking her now—before they’d finalized plans for their future or discussed marriage. He’d put himself on the line for her, giving her the most precious gift she could imagine. His trust with his heart.
“Gavin, you are in my heart forever, even without this ring.” She glanced down at the glittering diamond. “But I can’t wait to be your wife, and share your name and a home with you.”
His smile dazzled her even more than the ring. She would never forget this moment.
“I love you, Rachel. I got the ring when I was in Austria, and couldn’t wait another day to give it to you.” He removed it from the box and slid it onto her finger. A perfect fit. “The design is called ‘snowball.’”
Happy tears gave the stone even more rainbow refractions as she looked down at it.
“How perfect. It’s so beautiful, Gavin. I love you, too.” She flexed her fingers, admiring the gift and all it stood for.
“I hope you don’t feel rushed, Rachel. But it was eight years between that first and second kiss.” He rose, drawing her to her feet with him. “That was plenty of time for me to know how I feel about you by the time I got my second chance.”
“I don’t feel rushed,” she assured him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she stepped into his arms. “I feel perfect. Like the happiest woman in Yuletide.”
“Should we share the news yet?” He glanced out the window toward the happy holiday celebrations outside in the town square. “We’d have a captive audience.”
“Not yet.” She brushed a kiss over his lips. “I’m going to have to share you soon enough. Moments alone are hard to come by.”
Lifting her off her feet, Gavin brought her nose to nose with him, hands on her waist. “I like the way you think.”
“Enough to steal away with me upstairs for a few hours before Christmas dinner?” she whispered in his ear, her fingers toying with his hair.
His feet were already moving toward the steps, the white banister lights twinkling a path toward her happily ever after.
The End
The Road to Romance Series
When a popular life coach claims that making peace with your romantic past paves the way for romance in the future, the idea inspires a group of down-on-their-luck friends to follow the advice. As they set out to sever ties with the past, they are each surprised to find sexy adventure along the way!
Book 1: Last Chance Christmas
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Book 2: Second Chance Cowboy
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Book 3: A Chance Encounter at Christmas
View the series here
Don’t miss the newest series by Joanne Rock and Catherine Mann…
The Runaway Bride Series
Book 1: How to Lose a Groom in 10 days
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Book 2: The Wedding Audition
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Book 3: There Goes the Bride
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Book 4: Bride on the Run
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Enjoy an Exclusive Excerpt from
His Christmas Gift
Sarah Mayberry
Copyright ? 2015 Sarah Mayberry
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Jenna Macintosh glanced up from the trial transcript she was reading, but the prison gates she was monitoring from the warmth of her car remained steadfastly closed.
Typical. The Montana prison system didn’t care that Jenna’s client had been waiting for this moment for nearly three long years. The system moved at its own pace, and even though Jenna had been told that Lacey Gallagher would be released by eight, it was now nearly ten and there was no sign of her.
The windshield was starting to fog up, and Jenna cracked her window and cranked up the fan on the heater to try to clear it. Billings, Montana was supposed to be enjoying a whole thirty-five degrees today, but it felt far, far colder to her.
She brought her attention back to the transcript but got distracted thinking about the three hour drive ahead of her. If the prison delayed Lacey’s release much longer, there was a high risk Jenna would be driving through snow on the return journey once she’d delivered Lacey to her home town of Marietta. The thought made Jenna’s stomach tense, and she frowned down at the thick document in her hands. If worst came to worst, she could handle a bit of snow. She had good tires on her ten year old Volvo SUV, and she’d be travelling on major roads. It was stupid to get all sweaty about it.
And yet here she was, sweaty. That was the awesome thing about her subconscious – no matter how many times the rational part of her brain gave it a stern talking to, her subconscious went on its merry way regardless.
Movement caught the corner of her eye and she glanced up. The heavy-duty pedestrian gate was opening. Jenna reached for the glasses she needed if she wanted to see anything clearly at a distance, sliding them over her ears just as someone stepped outside. The woman’s shoulders were hunched against the cold, her long brown hair pulled back into a no-nonsense braid. She was holding a heavy-looking plastic carrier bag, and she glanced around uncertainly. Jenna tossed her paperwork to one side and hastily scrambled from her car.
“Lacey!” Jenna waved to attract the other woman’s attention, and Lacey’s head swiveled her way. After a small hesitation, Lacey started walking, and Jenna met her half way.