“Not yet, but I will when the time is right.” His chuckle became a kiss, a tender brush of his lips to hers. His kiss was gentle and reverent and fairy-tale perfect.
Overwhelmed, she stepped back, but she could not let go of his shirt, let go of him. She was grateful to God for bringing them together. Love was an entirely new territory, but she had faith that God would see them through.
“C’mon.” Shane took her hand. “Let’s get you home.”
“You know what this means, don’t you?” She hardly needed his help into the buggy. Bliss filled her, made her lighter than air. “We have a chance to live happily-ever-after.”
“A chance? No, darlin’. There’s no chance. It’s a certainty. I promise you that.”
The sun chose that moment to brighten, as if they were not alone. Birdsong crescendoed, and their melodies carried on a loving wind. The green growing grasses, daisies blooming in the fields, the sky as blue as dreams. Never had the world been so beautiful. Never had she felt so whole. The pieces of her life were coming together, the pattern so beautiful that it hurt the eye to see. She remembered to take a moment to thank God for His gifts before she scooted over on the buggy seat to let Shane take the reins.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Angel Falls. PATCHWORK BRIDE is the second book in my
Buttons & Bobbins
series. When you open these pages, you will revisit old friends from earlier books like the Worthington family from HOMESPUN BRIDE and Finn McKaslin from HIGH COUNTRY BRIDE. The
Buttons & Bobbins
girls are growing up, graduating from high school and adding a new member to their beloved sewing circle. I hope you enjoy revisiting old friends and meeting new ones as much as I have.
PATCHWORK BRIDE is a story I hated to end. Perhaps because I loved the bonds of family Meredith was blessed with and the circle of friends that reminded me of my high-school days. Most of all I loved the tender story of how true love comes to Meredith and Shane in God’s time, a great blessing that is a complete surprise. It changes both of them into better people and transforms their lives forever in the most beautiful of ways. I hope you are touched by Meredith’s journey, Shane’s love for her and their discovery of their dreams for the future. Lila’s story is next!
Thank you for choosing PATCHWORK BRIDE.
Wishing you the best of blessings,
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6506-0
PATCHWORK BRIDE
Copyright © 2010 by Jill Strickler
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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The McKaslin Clan
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The Granger Family Ranch
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Buttons & Bobbins