Winter Magic: 4 (The Hawks Mountain Series) (19 page)

“Where are we going?”

He smiled at her. “Somewhere we’ll make sure they can never part us again.”

Jo leaned back against the seat, happy to leave their future in Earl’s gentle hands. Moments later, he pulled the truck into a driveway. On the lawn of the brick house was a sign that read
Horace Biggles, Justice of the Peace
.

GRANNY JO CHUCKLED low. “Truth be known, Earl Hawks, I didn’t care where you were taking me as long as we were together. But I sure never thought it would be to a wedding.” She laughed again. “But what I really remember is the honeymoon at the waterfall and how we swam without a stitch on and made love under the moon and stars until neither of us could walk. No woman could have asked for a more romantic honeymoon. Our David was conceived that night.” Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of their only child who had been killed in a car accident.

“But he left us a beautiful granddaughter, didn’t he? And you’d be so proud of Becky. She’s grown into a fine woman and married a wonderful young man. Nick’s his name, and they have a little boy. They named him Earl, after you.” She touched the grave with a reverence she kept for Earl alone. “But I told you all this before.” She sighed heavily. “I guess forgetting comes along with the aches and pains of old age.”

“Well, Becky’s asked me to dinner, so I best be going inside to get dressed.” With some effort, she pushed herself up from the ground, and then stood for a long moment looking down at the mound of earth. “Don’t you worry about our mountain, my love. I’ll be keeping it for Becky. After all, it’s called Hawks Mountain, so a Hawks needs to be living here.”

She gathered up her painting supplies and turned toward the house. But before she’d taken a step, she turned back to the grave. “I miss you, but the time is fast coming when I’ll be with you again.” A lone tear rolled down her cheek. “Will you be waiting for me, Earl?” As if in answer, a breeze brushed her cheek like the gentle touch of a lover’s hand.

Jo’s heart stopped for one beat, and when it started again, it brought a surge of acceptance for the way life is. What better way could she spend her time than watching with pleasure the next generations of Hawks growing up on her and Earl’s mountain? And when her time here on earth was through, she knew Earl would be waiting for her just like he’d been waiting all those years ago.

(Please continue reading for more information about Elizabeth Sinclair)

Elizabeth Sinclair is the award-winning, bestselling author of numerous romance novels and two acclaimed instructional books for writers. Her novels have been translated into seven languages and are sold in seventeen countries. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband and two dogs. Elizabeth is the mother of three children and “brags constantly” about her grandchildren.

Visit her at www.ElizabethSinclair.com