Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) (35 page)

He turned to Justin. “And if you pull this off, I’ll gladly hand over the keys to the college.”

“I’ll do my very best, sir.”

“Patrice, would you agree?” the president asked as he took a step back to let the longest-serving trustee join their circle.

Justin spotted Gianessa and motioned to her to join them as well.

“I not only agree, I’m betting on it. Justin, am I out of line to ask if you and your beautiful wife are planning a family?”

Justin threw back his head and laughed. “Women know these things, don’t they, Patrice?” He reached out a hand to Gianessa and drew her into the group. “We thought we’d start with twins—a boy and a girl. My wife is partial to naming them Jack and Jill. I have to admit I like the sound of it better every day.” He gave his bride a kiss and put a protective arm around her shoulders.

“Patrice, did your children come to Tompkins College?” Gianessa asked.

I would never have thought to ask that.

Patrice’s face brightened, and she launched into the story of her two daughters’ experiences at Tompkins College the previous decade. Justin watched the dynamic, noting the animation on Patrice’s face and the excitement in her voice.
Women know these things.
He was certain Gianessa would be comfortable in the role of president’s wife, if it came to that.

Sunny returned to the porch with Manda close behind. She spotted Gianessa and called to her.

Gianessa welcomed her hug. “Did Joel give you a tour of the therapy suite?”

“Yes, just now. I love it. Justin did a fabulous job, didn’t he?”

“He did. He made it so easy for all of us. So you’re all set to take over Joel’s therapy while Justin and I honeymoon in Italy?”

“All set. We’ll work together four days a week, and he’s committed to keeping up his routines, as prescribed, the days in between. And I’ll study for my certification exams on the off days. I can’t thank you enough for making this happen. It will stand out on my resume.”

“I’m so grateful for your support with my application for my PT license in New York State.”

“Have you heard anything?”

“Not yet. I’ll take it as it comes and do whatever they require to prove myself.”

“When are you going to throw the bouquet?”

“In two minutes. Be there.”

“So, Dr. Forrester,” Phil said to Gwen as they sipped iced coffee on the patio, “we have two newly married couples under our wings. How do you feel about that?”

Gwen stretched out her legs and laughed. “I think they’ll need some help.”

Phil chuckled. “They do have a lot going for them. They’re in love, they have each other, they have us, and they’re sober today.” Phil speculated, “Fate seems to have brought Gianessa and Justin together, and I think it’s meant to be a fruitful and happy marriage.”

“I agree. What about you, Phil? Are you wanting a soulmate?”

Phil placed his hands on his knees and said, “I married Edie for life, and it won’t be long before we’re together again in the next life.”

“That’s sweet. But don’t leave us too soon. Promise.”

“I promise to leave in God’s time. And you, Gwen, will you look for another love?”

Gwen sat up straighter and drew in a deep breath. “I’m only thirty-two, and I’d love to have a child. It’s time I got back in the game and met a good man for myself. When Jeb died, I thought I’d never recover. But lately, my dreams tell me, ‘Time, Gwen. Time for you to dive back in.’”

Gianessa climbed the first three steps of the curving stairway at the Manse. For just a moment she admired the polished mahogany banister, the white marble stairs, and the thick, lake-blue carpet runner. She let her left hand rest on the banister and imagined Joel’s grandmother Bridey trailing her hand on the same wood decades ago as mistress of this elegant home. A smile spread over her face as she felt a gentle current flow into her hand. It left as quickly as it had come, after filling her heart with hope—hope for her marriage to Justin, for their children and the new generation of Cushmans.
Bridey has given us her blessing
. Gianessa remembered what her neighbor Linda said on the day she’d met Justin—that those who lived at Lakeside Terrace found their true love quickly and were happily married soon after.

Manda touched her arm. “We have a disturbance.” Amusement and concern showed in her sparkling eyes and angled eyebrows. “Look behind us. Our wedding friends have been joined by every female who happened to be at the Manse tonight.”

Gianessa turned to the sea of faces. At least two dozen young women stood in the center with a ring of gentlemen around them. In front of the pack were Sara and Grace, each trying to step in front of the other for the best chance at the bouquet.

“Good, you have your flowers, too,” she said to Manda. “I hope you’re okay with this.”

Without explaining what she meant, Gianessa called to the crowd. “Ladies, your attention, please.”

The crowd quieted. Gianessa beamed a smile. “Thank you for sharing our excitement. Because so many of you are here, both Cushman brides will throw their bouquets this evening.”

She squeezed Manda’s hand and continued. “As most of you know, my treasured friend and matron-of-honor Manda Cushman married my new brother-in-law, Joel, a few weeks ago.

“There is no doubt our marriages are blessed by Joel’s very romantic grandmother Bridey O’Donohue Tompkins, who I understand is a legend in Tompkins Falls.”

She saw Joel wave to her. Justin gave her a proud smile. She blew a kiss to her handsome husband.

“We think these two bouquets are touched with Bridey’s magic. Manda and I will toss them to two lucky ladies who want to marry their true loves.”

She turned to Manda and quietly added, “Please hold tight to Bridey’s banister. You give me the countdown.”

On the count of three, the two bouquets of lilies, roses, and baby’s breath sailed from the graceful stairway over the waiting pool of arms. Manda’s went wide and landed in the arms of a willowy woman dressed in a brilliantly colored sari. Her escort cheered and gave her an enthusiastic kiss.

Just as Gianessa’s bouquet reached the top of its arc, she turned to the crowd and noticed someone’s elbow jostle Gwen Forrester. Gwen was propelled from the sidelines into the pool of eager young women. Faces full of hope and excitement surrounded her. Arms reached up around her. Hers reached up, too.

The bouquet glided past Sara and Grace. They turned away, disappointment written on their brows.

Gwen’s eyes widened in disbelief as rose petals caressed her fingers and the bride’s bouquet settled in her hands. A collective “Ah” rose from the women.

Gwen gaped at the delicate blossoms. Then she looked beyond, surprise and delight on her face, and met Gianessa’s gaze.

The bride blew her a kiss, and Gwen touched her hand to her heart.

While Manda pushed through the crowd of women to embrace Gwen, Gianessa floated down the stairs and threaded through the crowd to Justin for one more kiss on their magical day.

Also by
Katie O’Boyle
and
Soul Mate Publishing
:

Stepping Up to Love

Miracles happen when romance is higher-powered.

A lakeside porch in the Finger Lakes is the perfect spot for a quiet moment or a heart-to-heart with your special someone. Joel and Manda’s first heart-to-heart on the breakfast porch at the Manse Inn and Spa is anything but romantic. Joel the owner of the Manse is furious with his junior accountant for using one of the spa showers. If Manda didn’t have a desperate story and a spectacular body, Joel might not be feeding her breakfast and falling in love. Can Manda get sober, clean up her act, and open her heart to her rich, hunky boss? Fall in love with Joel and Manda in
Stepping Up To Love
.

Available now on Amazon:
http://tinyurl.com/olr2yfg

Coming Soon from
Katie O’Boyle

and
Soul Mate Publishing
:

Find the Way Back to Love

Author Biography

Born in the Upstate New York village known as the Birthplace of Women’s Rights, Katie O’Boyle loves the Finger Lakes in every season. She enjoys lunch with friends on many a lakeside porch, and she cherishes the lakeside porch as a place for intimate sharing, laughter, and inspiration. By day, she is a tech-savvy college professor and, after hours, a passionate author of warm-hearted romance. She is hard at work on Book Three of the Lakeside Porches romance books and novellas.

Meet Katie O’Boyle:

on Facebook as “Katie O’Boyle Author”

on Twitter as “TompkinsFalls”