Darling Page 5

  Epilogue

  GRIFFIN

  One Year Later

  My arms are wrapped around Amelia’s waist as best as they can with the large bump in the way. The diamond of her engagement ring glimmers in the sun as her hand covers mine while we watch the tiny silver sports car pull up from the porch.

  “Welcome to Sugar Creek, dear sister.” I call when Esme hops out of the car. Her long, floral maxi dress billows in the wind as she makes her way up the steps towards us. Her mouth drops open in shock as she takes in the picture before her.

  “What the bloody—is that an engagement ring? You wanker!” She smacks me playfully on the chest and pulls Amelia’s hand closer to inspect the bauble. “You didn’t call me and ask permission!”

  “We wanted it to be a surprise,” Amelia giggles, enjoying Esme’s excitement.

  “I can assure you both, my tiny niece was enough of a surprise.” Esme pats Amelia’s swollen belly lovingly. “Okay. Auntie Esme’s here, little one. You can come on out now.”

  “Patience, Esme. She still needs to cook another month.” I pull my fiance back to me, pressing a dozen kisses to the top of her head. It never wore off—we still can’t keep our hands off each other for more than a few minutes. In fact, if Esme wasn’t moving in to her cottage today, we would likely still be in bed, clinging to one another as we bring each other endless pleasure.

  My eyes darken as I meet Amelia’s hungry gaze.

  “Okay, you two. I know that look. But I was hoping we could head into town and grab some coffee together. I’m not in the mood to face everyone yet on my own.” Esme frowns, and I’m reminded of her reason for moving out of Sweet Briar—she'd lost her job when the Public Relations firm she worked for went bankrupt. Amelia and I convinced her to move here and open up a firm of her own. So far, she’s just agreed to move, but hasn’t decided on her next move career-wise.

  Still, it will be good to have her around. My daughter will have an incredible support system in the town of Sugar Creek, along with a mommy and daddy who love her—and each other—more than life itself.

  “Oh! I almost forgot,” I smirk as I pull out two wrapped rectangles I’ve hidden beneath the porch swing. I hand one to Amelia and one to Esme and watch as they unwrap them with eager fingers.

  “A Second Chance at Love,” Amelia reads. Her eyes fill with tears as she reads the summary of the book that I wrote about my unwavering love for a girl I met one night many years ago. She rests her head against my chest as Esme shakes her head.

  “You know, brother, all you had to do was tell me you fancied her. I could have hooked you two up ages ago.” Esme rests her hand on her hip.

  “Well, next time I fall deeply in love with your friend, I’ll be sure to speak up.” I laugh as Amelia elbows me hard in the chest before pressing a kiss to my cheek.

  “Very funny.”

  I pull her in close as we rock on the porch. It may have taken us awhile, but we are all exactly where we were meant to be.

  I look at my pregnant future wife and my loving sister, and can’t help but feel excited for what’s still to come.

  The End

  COMING SOON...

  HONEY—Sugar Creek Romance Book TWO

  ESME PARKER:

  When my brother and my dearest friend inform me that they’ve fallen in love, I’m ecstatic. But as the happiness wears off, I realize that I feel a bit jealous.

  I have a fantastic career in Public Relations, fabulous friends, and a string of men I can call whenever I’m in need of company, but I can’t shake this empty feeling inside.

  Then fate steps in, closing a door and forcing me to look for an open window. I pack up and move to Sugar Creek to start over, unsure where my future will take me.

  It’s when I’m at my lowest that I run into the man who’s always loved to kick me when I’m down.

  ASHER BUCKLEY:

  I’d recognize those stormy gray eyes anywhere, no matter how many years it’s been.

  Esme Parker has been the woman of my dreams since the first time she set foot in Sugar Creek as a high school senior. Circumstances beyond my control caused her to run screaming into the arms of another man.

  But now she’s back, she’s single, and things have changed.

  She may hate me now, but if she thinks I’m letting her get away again, she’s got another thing coming.

  Cause I’ll stop at nothing to make Esme my wife.