I couldn’t talk, couldn’t breathe.
He lowered himself to one knee and held the ring in front of him. “I’ve already asked your father and he gave his permission. Actually, he told me it was about time.”
I half-chuckled, but the tears were flooding my cheeks now.
“Ashley Brooks, I love you. I want to give you the world, but all I can promise is that I’ll love you with all my heart. I will spend the rest of my days making you happy. You have always been and always will be the only woman that is for me. You are unique, beautiful, and never boring.” His hands shook as did his words. “Will you marry me?”
My head spun with dizzying overflowing emotions. My heart thumped against my chest. Tears choked my words with the realization that all of my dreams were coming true. I threw my arms around him and we tumbled to the ground. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
The church bells chimed echoing up through the hills. He pressed his lips to mine in a deep, longing, loving kiss. The kind that made toes curl and love swell. It was the kiss of promises for a future.
He broke the kiss and slid the ring onto my finger before he claimed my lips once more. That’s when I knew he’d never leave me again. We snuggled under the blankets and watched the candles light around the Christmas tree below. At that moment, I knew the name of our business. “What do you think about overlook? Overlook Outdoor Adventure?”
“Love it.” He kissed me again and again and again.
I finally felt like I’d come home.
Home to family.
Home to friends.
Home to Christmas Mountain.
Epilogue
I peered from behind the curtain and found the Christmas Mountain Community Center filled to standing room only. My heart warmed at the sight of Ms. King sitting front row. Even if she looked pale and tired, she smiled with the Christmas Spirit. I hoped and prayed she’d be sitting in that same seat next year.
With a deep breath of courage filling my lungs with the aroma of apple cider and pine, I pushed the thought of Ms. King’s cancer from my mind and waived at my parents sitting at her side. Our relationship had grown and blossomed into a closeness I never thought possible. That was Christmas gift enough, but I had more than I could ever dream of now with Brent at my side with the promise of forever.
I twisted the ring back and forth on my left hand and eyed the glistening lights strung through the wooden beams overhead, to the red bows tied to the light fixtures along the walls, settling my gaze on Brent marching around the stage in his nutcracker costume with a few little nutcrackers at his side. He reached out and handed one of the little ones a baton as if he passed the torch of traditions to the next generation.
Joy squeezed my hand then sashayed out to the piano where she settled onto the bench and settled her fingers over the keys. Lexi, Morgan, Faith, Carol, Emma, and I held tight to one another as we took our turn on stage. Before we even reached our starting positions, Joy pounded out the intro to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Tears filled my eyes with the realization that we’d always be friends. Some of us would remain in Christmas Mountain, others would travel far away, but in heart we’d always be one. Because we’d made a vow to always be there for one another. And a friendship promise could be stretched like the strings of a bracelet, but it could never be torn apart. Not when it was true friendship.
Also by Ciara Knight
For a complete list of my books, please visit my website at www.ciaraknight.com. A great way to keep up to date on all releases, sales and prizes subscribe to my Newsletter. I’m extremely sociable, so feel free to chat with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.
For your convenience please see my complete title list below, in reading order:
Sweetwater County Series
McKinnie Mail Order Brides Series
Love on the Prairie
(USA Today Bestselling Novel)
Love in the Rockies
Love on the Plains
Love on the Ranch
His Holiday Promise
(A Love on the Ranch Novella)
Love on the Sound
(coming 2019)
Love at the Coast
A Prospectors Novel
Fools Rush
Bride of America
Adelaide: Bride of Maryland
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Winter in Sweetwater County
Summer in Sweetwater County
Fall in Sweetwater County
Christmas in Sweetwater County
Valentines in Sweet-water County
Fourth of July in Sweetwater County
Thanksgiving in Sweetwater County
Grace in Sweetwater County
Faith in Sweetwater County
Hope in Sweetwater County (Coming soon)
Love in Sweetwater County (Spring 2019)
Riverbend
In All My Wishes
In All My Years
In All My Dreams
In All My Life
Gone with the Brides
Sassy Bride
Southern Bride
Sweet Bride
HOLIDAY READS
A Christmas Spark
A Miracle Mountain Christmas
Homecoming in Christmas Falls
YOUNG ADULT:
Battle for Souls Series
Rise From Darkness
Fall From Grace
Ascension of Evil
The Neumarian Chronicles
Weighted
Escapement
Pendulum
Balance