“Very well… as it turns out.” Ella smirked.
Sam laughed and shook his head. “So don’t want to know. As long as you’re happy, that’s good enough for me.”
“We are,” Trent said, pulling Ella close.
“And how’s the shop doing?” Sam asked.
“Doing amazing, though I wish fewer celebrities would come by. That’s weird for the small town of Lakeridge, but everyone seems to be coping.”
“They are,” Trent offered.
Ryan and Shannon hurried down the stairs to greet their guests. “Welcome to my home,” Ryan said. “How are you two doing?”
“Great. Better than I ever imagined. I can even handle the camera flashes again, as long as there aren’t too many. And sirens haven’t bothered me in quite a while.”
“The press will get bored. You aren’t giving them anything juicy to report.” Shannon smirked. “Though we might help sidetrack them if Jackson doesn’t manage something stupid before then.”
“Oh?”
Ryan grinned. “We’re announcing our engagement.”
“Seriously?” Ella hugged Ryan, then Shannon. “I’m so happy for you two.”
Shannon nodded, “He finally convinced me I shouldn’t care what anybody else thought about it. We’re taking a page from Trent and proving to everyone, including ourselves, that nothing will come between us.”
Sam grinned. “It’s about time. Come on, let’s go out back so Ella can sit down.”
“Oh my God, Sam, chill. I cracked a few ribs a month ago. I’m fine. I promise. But I am hungry.”
“Then let’s get this barbecue going,” Trent said.
Chapter 44
The following June…
Once the media gave up on getting a scoop about Raven Star, everything in Lakeridge settled down. Logan Poole, now Manchester, was in prison and would be there a long time. People were coming from all over the county to shop at Mon Armoire.
In fact, Trent couldn’t wait for Ella to get home. He checked his phone again and turned to Kyle. “What is taking them so long? I thought they were just stopping by the shop.”
He laughed. “Mila wanted to do her own special thing for Ella. You knew they were going to have a busy day.”
Blaze leaned against the counter next to Trent. “How much longer until they get here?”
Cherish laughed. “Mama and Ella are picking up Barb from the airport.”
Kyle smirked. “Barb hasn’t seen Ella in years. I’m sure they’re taking their time. Relax, Trent.”
Regardless, his nerves were getting the best of him and Trent sent a text to Mila, You’re running late. I want my woman back!
Kyle looked over his shoulder. “Patience. Everything will be fine.”
Sam joined the guys. “So, no alcohol?”
Trent’s brow arched. “No. There are two people here who really shouldn’t be around it.”
Tina threw her arm around Trent with a grin. “I’m one of them. Though I haven’t been tempted in a long time.”
Finally, a car pulled up, and female voices drifted through the door.
“Hide!” Trent whispered, walking to the door. He took a glance back to make sure everyone was out of sight before throwing open the door.
“Happy birthday, Ella.”
Her smile lit up as she stepped inside. “Hey, baby.” She leaned up for a kiss. Then she turned to the tall blond standing next to her. “Trent, this is one of my oldest friends, Barb. Barb, this is my sexy hero.”
Trent pulled Ella closer with his left arm and reached around her to shake Barb’s hand with the other. They’d met at Kyle and Mila’s wedding, but he wasn’t going to mention that.
“Come in.” Mila, Barb, and Ella followed him inside.
A house full of people jumped out of every available hiding spot with a loud shout, “Surprise!”
The group included Trent’s firemen friends and their families, Trent’s family, Ella’s brother, Ryan, and Shannon, and other local people who had become friends with Ella.
Their guest of honor covered her mouth, happiness shining brightly as she looked around the room. “Wow, thank you so much.” She turned to face Trent and he dropped to his knee. “Oh, my God,” she whispered.
Trent presented Ella with a small jewelry box. “I can’t imagine my life without you, Ella Cross. Please, be my wife.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes. Of course. I’m never letting you go.”
Blaze pushed through the crowd. With a grin, he said, “Now you’ll really be my aunt.”
Ella knelt to hug Blaze. “I already thought of you as my nephew, buddy.”
“I know.” He stepped back, next to Cherish and started singing “Happy Birthday.” Trent helped Ella up and pulled her close. “I love you, Ella.”
“You’ve given me everything I always dreamt of and never thought I’d have.”
“I’ll always do that, Ella, as long as you’re mine.”
“I just want you.”
About Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today, bestselling author. Her two main series are Others of Edenton and Others of Seattle. She has also written a handful of contemporary stories.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home mother. Her secret lair, guarded by a pint-sized pound puppy who imagines himself a hellhound, contains a file full of manuscripts she plans to refine and publish with new creations she is constantly dreaming up.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, in addition to several other projects.
If you are interested in receiving emails about future book releases, please sign up for her email distribution list by visiting her website at:
http://www.brandylrivers.com
You can also find her on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/brandylrivers
And on Twitter: https://twitter.com/brandylrivers
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Falling Into Place
Fated Love
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Deep Trouble
Entangled Darkness
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath (coming late 2016)
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2016)
Spin-Off of Nights Embrace
Summer Rhythm
Stand Alone Contemporary Romance
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth (coming 2017)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news, visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or sign up for my newsletter
Acknowledgments
To my husband and kiddos who put up with me when I get in the crazy writing mode, and still love me anyway.
To my mother who is amazing and my biggest supporter.
To all my readers who wanted more contemporary from me. Don’t worry, I think the next one will come sooner. Isandro may be next.
Rebecca Brooke, thank you for always letting me bounce ideas off you. Without you, I would have never finished thi
s book.
Kristen Mayer, you’ve always been so supportive. Thank you for the amazing Alpha notes and everything.
LB Dunbar, you’re a sweetheart. Thank you for beta reading. I really do appreciate the notes.
Kym Grosso, you’ve been an amazing friend. I can’t wait until we see each other again.
Rivers Others and Rivers Shenanigans, thank you for everything you do. As always, you’re fantastic.
For my beta readers, you’ll never know how much appreciate your help.
Author BFFs, you’re an amazing support group. Can’t wait to meet you all in person.
Dauntless Indies, we really do need to all meet up in person.
Kathy Lapeyre, thank you for editing, you’ve done amazing.
Last, but not least, to my readers, you are the most amazing people in the world.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
About Brandy L Rivers
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Acknowledgments