Authors: Sydell Voeller
Free to Love (17 page)
“Oh, Austin... I do believe you.” Her eyes shimmered. She bit her lower lip and swallowed hard, struggling to make sense of it all. So much had transpired these past several weeks.
“I’m not sure how I missed the signals, didn’t realize what was happening between us,” he hurried
on
. “Actually, when I stop to look back on it, I think I was in denial. Trying to convince myself this
couldn’t
be happening, especially since you were Kyle’s wife. But thanks to Ted,
I’ve
finally come to my senses. I know beyond all knowing, I love you. I need you.
We’re
no longer wrong for each other.
We never were.”
He caught her hand and gave it a hard squeeze. “I can only hope that I’m right in what I’m feeling—that somehow, some way, you love me too.”
“Oh, yes. I
do
love you,” she said, smiling up into his brown eyes. “Truth is
,
I’ve loved you from almost the first day you walked through my front door, though I was too confused then to have realized it. But
I’m
not confused any longer. And I’m sorry, Austin... sorry for all those horrible things I said.”
“Apologies aren’t necessary.”
“Yes, they are. And you were right when you said I’d regret it later.” She paused, then added, “Oh, how I regretted it.”
“So you don’t want me to go?”
“Of course not!
I want you here.
With me.”
She considered briefly,
then
asked.
“But what about your job in San Francisco?”
“I think I’m ready to cash it in.
I’m
done with all the hassles. And if everything works out the way I hope it will,
I’ll
be starting at Anchorhold the first of next month.
Ted’s
made me an offer too good to pass up. He wants me to be his business partner.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“Yes, but ultimately, it all depends on you.”
“Oh?”
“It depends on whether you love me enough to take a risk.” He rested both hands on her shoulders. His touch seemed to sear right through her.
“Love you enough?” She spoke with so much intensity her voice trembled. “I love you because of who you are, Austin. Never in this entire
world
could there be another you.
You’re
a man of integrity.
A man who cares deeply enough not to make light of his promises.”
Flashing him a shy smile, she added, “A man whose very touch sends me to heights unknown.”
He tucked back her hair and placed one hand on her nape, his thumb moving gently across her jaw. “And now I’d like to make a new promise—a promise to you, Jo.
A pledge for all time before God and man.”
He hesitated before going on. “My darling... will you marry me? Be my wife?”
“Oh, yes!” She felt his hands drop to her waist as he pulled her close. Then his mouth covered hers with a long, slow kiss—a kiss that felt honest and right.
“Somehow... I feel as if Kyle is here with us,” Austin murmured after
they’d
broken the contact.
“Yes, so do
I
. And
he’s
smiling. I just know he is.”
A moment later, arm in arm, they turned back to fetch the empty pens.
A cry sounded from overhead.
Together they looked up and smiled.
A murre drifted on a current of air, brilliant sunshine glinting off it wings.
Epilogue
Joanna cradled her back against the hollow of Austin’s chest while he nestled his chin in her hair, his arms encompassed around her swollen belly.
“One more month to go,” she murmured, her voice filled with mixed wonder and joy. They were standing inside the nursery of their unborn child, the former guest room.
The walls were papered in lemony yellow—reminiscent of her favorite yellow roses. From the window, multicolored polka dots graced the white cotton valance that matched the crib ruffle.
Above the crib hung a musical mobile of cartoon characters.
“I can hardly wait for our baby’s arrival,” he said and kissed the top of Joanna’s head.
“Our child.”
He chuckled. “Want to make any bets he or she will arrive on our first anniversary as the doctor’s predicted?”
She laughed too. “The only thing I’m willing to bet on right now is how much I love you.”
He pressed his hands a little more firmly, feeling the movement within her. A thrill shot through him.
“Ah, my darling.
And how I, too, love you.
Both
of you.”
“Speaking of predictions,” Joanna said dreamily, “Auntie’s making some of her own. She thinks our baby’s a girl.”
“Then your aunt’s probably right,” he answered. “After all, she’s a very wise woman.” He chuckled. “She’s probably smarter than the ultrasound we could have had and decided not to in order to be surprised,” he added tongue-in-cheek.
“And if it
is
a girl, how do you feel about naming her after Auntie? Marcella Sullivan.
Marcie, for short.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea!” he said. He turned her to him. “Know something, Jo?”
“Hmm?”
“I think in another year or so, it’ll probably be time for me to get out my carpenter’s tools again.” His eyes sparkled adoringly at her, yet they were also filled with mischief.
“And your reasons, might I ask?”
“I’ll need to knock down some walls. Make this duplex into one home.”
“What?”
“Don’t forget, darling, you keep telling me you love kids even more than you love animals. And that’s gonna add up to one big happy family.”
The End
About the Author
Sydell Voeller grew up in Washington State, but has lived in Oregon for over thirty years. Throughout her twenty-plus year writing career, her published novels for teens and adults have reflected her love for the Pacific Northwest’s ocean beaches, inlets and waterways, evergreen forests, and majestic mountains. Sydell resides in Oregon with her husband. They married in 1971 and have two sons and four grandchildren.
Pet lovers, the Voellers have provided a home for several cats, a dog, gerbils, hamsters, and a turtle—but not all at the same time! A small rodent cemetery still occupies one corner of their backyard. Sydell and her husband enjoy camping, reading, playing Scrabble trips to the Oregon coast, and spending time with their grandchildren.
When Sydell
isn’t
writing, she enjoys walking, amateur astronomy, gardening, and staying in touch with friends—Internet and otherwise! In 1987 after the publication of her first novel, she was named by the Washington County Mushaw Center, Woman of the Year in Communications.
Formerly a registered nurse, Sydell now teaches writing courses sponsored by the Long Ridge Writer’s Institute (a long distance course in writing short stories and articles) in West Redding, Connecticut.
Note
From
The Publisher:
Thank you for purchasing and reading this Books We Love eBook. We hope you have enjoyed your reading experience. Books We Love and the author would very much appreciate you returning to the online retailer where you purchased this book and leaving a review for the author.
Best Regards and Happy Reading, Jamie and Jude
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We
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