Home to Stay (28 page)

The smile on Sam’s face widened. “I’m already running two hotels, with one about to undergo renovations in the fall. Though I definitely want to be involved, having a capable person doing the heavy lifting would be my first choice.”

Heavy lifting
and
being the boss. That sounded like a challenge. “Then I am definitely interested. How about we discuss the details next week?”

“Give me a call on Monday and we can set up a meeting.”

It had been years since Will had taken a meeting. To know she’d be more than just a person being dictated to felt good. Better than expected. She and Sam shook hands, as did Sam and Randy, then the hotelier made his excuses and left the reception.

As she watched the broad shoulders cut a path through the crowd, Will asked, “Has Sid met Mr. Edwards?”

“Maybe in passing,” Randy said. “I don’t think they have much reason to cross paths. Why?”

“You know she’s in a matchmaking mood these days.” Will’s eyes were still watching Sam’s departure, noticing the way several women in the room watched as well. “And that is one eligible bachelor.”

“I hope you’re not looking to be matched.” Randy pulled her tighter against him. “I like Sam. I’d hate to have to kill him.”

Will laughed, patting Randy’s chest. “You have no worries there. I’m good and matched. I was simply making an observation.”

“How about you make an observation over this way.” Randy pulled his tuxedo jacket out far enough to reveal a small black box tucked into an inside pocket.

A hand fell over her lips. “Is that?”

“It is,” he said, watching the crowd instead of Will. “I was saving it until later, so we wouldn’t take anything away from Joe and Beth. But it’s killing me not to give it to you.”

The blood drained from Will’s brain. “Think they would mind if we left early?” she said, aware that she was either going to whoop for joy or break into sobs at any moment.

“My guess would be no,” he said, nudging Will to follow his gaze. Beth and Joe were sneaking out the side of the tent. No one else seemed to notice.

Shoving aside the corner of the tent closest to them, Randy motioned for Will to take the lead. She pulled him across the deck and down to the pier. The rain had died down to a drizzle, but she barely noticed the mist landing on her lashes.

There, on the pier where she’d fallen into lust, Will finished falling into love.

“Will you?” he asked, swiping a damp curl off his forehead while holding the little box in her direction.

Her cheeks strained from the force of her smile. “I will. I most definitely will.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A
s you might know from reading the first two books in this series, Anchor Island is wholly and affectionately based on the very real Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. If you have any longing to visit Anchor’s quaint little village, set your sights on this tiny island at the base of the Outer Banks. Just remember to take some bread along for the ferry crossing, so you can toss bits into the air and watch the seagulls fight for their share. Also, be prepared to duck now and then.

Though writing is a solitary endeavor, no book is completed without many hands, hearts, and minds involved. Thank you to Maureen O. Betita, Marnee Jo Bailey, and Fran Colley for talking me through what seemed like constant panic and doubt as I put this story together. Thank you for taking the calls and emails and never telling me to stop being an idiot. Well, I’m sure Fran did suggest just that on more than one occasion, but always with good intentions.

Thank you as always to my agent, Nalini Akolekar. Your partnership and guidance has proven invaluable, and your friendship has been a lovely bonus on this ever challenging journey. And to my editor, Kelli Martin. Your love and care for this book means more to me than you’ll ever know. Thank you for all that you do to make me a better writer with every round.

To my daughter Isabelle. I couldn’t do any of this without you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo by Crystal Huffman

A
uthor of the Amazon and
Wall Street Journal
bestseller
Meant to Be
, first in the Anchor Island Series, Terri Osburn started putting words on the page in 2007. Five years later, in 2012, she was named a finalist in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest for unpublished manuscripts. Shortly after, she signed with an agent and moved into publication, with her debut releasing from Montlake Romance in May 2013. Terri lives on the East Coast with one newly minted high schooler, two fat and (mostly) happy tabbies, and a hyper Yorkiepoo with attachment issues.

To learn more about Terri, check out her website at
www.terriosburn.com
.