Midnight Diamonds (26 page)
Authors: Cynthia Hampton
“Fire and ice roses, a perfect symbol of our relationship so far.” He handed her the roses. She leaned down to smell them and gave him a watery smile. “There’s one more thing I need to say. There is no doubt in my mind that you’re in my life for a reason. You taught me more than big words, Miss Madison. You showed me unconditional love, like the song said. You also told me that love is better shared with someone.”
Her eyes widened, and he knew she remembered that night at the lake house.
“I was a fool. A selfish man who couldn’t see the enormous gift put right in front of me. But I see it now and I’m asking for another chance.”
When the audience began clapping, Kade, Slade, and Ginny Rivers walked out from the wings and handed Justin a small object covered in white silk. Slade patted him on the shoulder then, as they walked back to the wings, he put a finger to his lips and the auditorium became quiet. Hundreds of students had their phones out, recording the moments.
Justin took off the white silk to reveal a royal blue, heart-shaped, velvet ring box. Dropping to one knee, he braced himself to say the most important words of his life. Tears streamed down Silver’s cheeks. Audible gasps could be heard all over the room. Everyone stood to see what was happening onstage.
“Silver, I love you. With all my heart. With all of me there is to give. I’m not perfect and I make a lot of mistakes. But with you at my side, I will be a better man in this world. I don’t want to spend another day without you. I promise to love you forever if you’ll have me.” His voice broke on the last few words, and he heard Silver’s ragged breathing as she tried to contain her sobs.
Justin opened the box that held a large marquis-shaped diamond ring. Holding it up to her, he took a deep breath. “Silver Madison, will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?” Applause and cheering exploded in the room.
She stared at the ring and put one hand over her mouth, shaking her head and burying her face in the flowers. Then she sniffed loudly but she didn’t answer. Long silent moments stretched out and still she didn’t move. The crowd noise died down to frantic whispers, then to nothing.
He glanced over to Becky and Hunter who were holding hands; his mom and Amelia had their arms linked.
Too late.
He’d taken a chance one last time on winning her heart, and he’d lost. His heart shattering, Justin started to close the box when her hand stopped him. He raised his eyes to see her smiling at him with love and joy.
“I love you, cowboy. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Loud cheering burst forth from the audience as he put the ring on Silver’s finger. Then Justin stood and swept her into his arms, kissing her as he whirled around in a circle. He stopped and set her down, hugging her close. After several minutes, he leaned back and grinned at her.
She tilted her head to one side. “What’s so funny?”
“Do you realize everyone will be calling you Silver Rivers?”
She reached for his cowboy hat and put it on her head, tipped it back with one finger, then winked at him.
“I don’t care what they call me. You can call me darlin’.”
END
~ About the Author ~
Growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma was an amazing experience for Cynthia Hampton. She always wanted to be a teacher and a writer. After twenty years as a teacher on both the high school and college levels, she decided to pursue her dream of being a writer. Her four children and four grandchildren are her biggest fans, followed closely by her students and friends.
Discover more about Cynthia Hampton here
Blog:
http://cynthiahampton.blogspot.com/2014/06/one-step.html
~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~
Texas Heat
The Blake Boys Book Four
Rhonda Laurel
Isabelle Reed is having a bad year. The classical violinist is struggling with a divorce, and a broken arm has left her unable to play. So when she receives a wedding invitation from her cousin Morgan, her heart just isn’t in it. Going to the wedding will mean seeing everyone from back home, and seeing everyone back home will mean facing the music about her divorce. Unable to miss her cousin’s wedding, she bites the bullet and takes off—and lands right in the arms of Morgan’s brother-in-law, country western music star Tate McGill. She’d heard about the singer and his bad-boy reputation, but there’s something about those storm-filled eyes that made her yearn to look deeper. Even though she should know better than to risk being the subject of a song on his next album.
Country western singer Tate McGill is living the good life. He’s surrounded by beautiful women, hit music, and a great family. But he gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to babysit his nephew Jake for his brother Seth Blake, and finds a beautiful woman in his way. Isabelle Reed is talented and strong-willed, and she’s a natural with little Jake. But she’s keeping a secret from Tate, and he’s determined to find out what it is...
Buy
Texas Heat
here
http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Heat-Blake-Boys-Book-ebook/dp/B00JRFGIQY/
The Hourglass
Sharon Struth
Can forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?
Until Brenda McAllister's husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack's best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?
The release of Brenda's second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn't the only one with secrets--Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn't always on the map.
Buy
The Hourglass
here
http://www.amazon.com/Hourglass-Sharon-Struth-ebook/dp/B00CIX1YDO/
Bidding Wars
Love Strikes Book One
A sheriff plus a nurse plus a house equals trouble…
Nurse Molly Harper has had a tough year. But when she decides to regain control of her life, buying her dream house becomes her first priority. Finding the perfect house and falling in love with it—that’s the easy part. The hard part is getting rid of the obnoxious man who thinks he’s going to be the new owner. Even if he is gorgeous. And the sheriff…
Sheriff Luke Logan needs to buy a house. Getting out of the renting game will help in the custody battle for his son, so when the perfect place pops up right on his street, he can’t believe his luck. But there’s already an offer on the table, and the woman won’t back down. Too bad she doesn’t know that he always goes after what he wants, and he has no intention of letting her have “his” house. Even if she does make him feel that he might need more than just a house to make a home…
Buy
Bidding Wars
here
http://www.amazon.com/Bidding-Wars-Love-Strikes-Book-ebook/dp/B00CTO57OE/
Once a Marine
Patty Campbell
A one-night-stand, or the first day of forever?
BD James is on an upward career path. She works for a tyrant who has already cost her one fiancé, so the last thing she needs is another manipulating man. She’s tired, angry, and ready for a meltdown. What she isn’t ready for is Rafael Cruz—a retired Marine who lives a secret and dangerous double life.
Rafi Cruz is a man who makes things happen, but his timing couldn’t be worse. He’s leaving on a hostage rescue mission in two days, which means he won’t have time for a long slow seduction. He’ll have to work fast, or the hot little BD will slip right through his fingers. She’s the only woman in a long time who’s been strong enough to challenge him—a quality he values highly. He’s reluctant to change his footloose life, but he’ll do whatever it takes not to lose her. She’ll understand. Eventually…
But when BD learns Rafi has deliberately kept her in the dark about his black ops missions, she questions whether he’s the kind of man she can trust, and if he can be as faithful to her as he is to the Corps…
Buy
Once a Marine
here
http://www.amazon.com/Once-Marine-Patty-Campbell-ebook/dp/B00D8AXZWY/
Table of Contents
