“Yes. Our home. Move back in.”
“Are you sure?” Jacqueline kept her voice low despite theexcitement singing through her.
“Completely. I’m tired of missing you. You belong at home withme.” Casey picked up her purse from the table and pulled out a small ring box.She lifted the lid to a gorgeous diamond solitaire nestled against a familiartitanium band. “And if you’ll have me, I’d like us to share something wecouldn’t the first time around.”
“Casey, what—”
“Marry me.”
She stared at the band—a ring she’d taken off eight years ago butcouldn’t bring herself to part with. “The last time I saw this ring, it was inmy dresser drawer. How did you get it?”
Casey glanced at Sean, who’d joined them when Casey pulled outthe box, and he grinned. Having everyone around at this moment suddenlyreminded Jacqueline what was on the line if they handled things badly thistime.
“Are you sure?” she asked again.
Casey nodded. “Two months ago you asked me for a fresh start—toget to know each other all over again. And while I agree we’ve grown andchanged and need to respect that, I’ve also learned that we aren’t sodifferent. You’re still the same woman I fell in love with that first time.That’s why there are two rings. One from our past and a new one for thefuture.” She brushed her fingers over Jacqueline’s cheek.
“Oh, sweetheart, I know this face. I’ve studied it more timesthan my own. I know the birthmark on the lower lid of your right eye, small,like the point of a pen. I know the dimple that shows up when you smile—thereal smile, not the polite one. I know the way you tense your jaw when you’retrying not to cry.” Casey stroked her jaw, and she realized she’d beenclenching her teeth for just that reason. “I’m asking you to marry me and I’venever been more sure.”
Sean angled close to Jacqueline’s ear and whispered loudly enoughfor everyone to hear, “Say yes, Mama.”
Jacqueline smiled and pulled Casey against her. She kissed her,then rested her cheek against the silk of Casey’s hair. With tears in her eyes,she said, “Yes.”
About the Author
Erin Dutton grew up in Upstate New York, but has made Tennesseeher home for over seventeen years. In 2007, she published her first book, Sequestered Hearts, andhasn’t wanted to stop writing since. In addition to ten previous novels, she’salso a contributor to multiple anthologies. She’s a proud recipient of the 2011Alice B. Readers’ Appreciation medal for her body of work.
When not working or writing, she enjoys playing golf,photography, and spending time with friends and family.
Books Available from Bold Strokes Books
AClass Act by Tammy Hayes. Buttoned-up college professor Dr. MargaretParks doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into when she agrees to one datewith her student, Rory Morgan, who is 15 years her junior. (978-1-62639-701-9)
BitterRoot by Laydin Michaels. Small town chef Adi Bergeron is hidingsomething, and Griffith McNaulty is going to find out what it is even if itgets her killed. (978-1-62639-656-2)
CapturingForever by Erin Dutton. When family pulls Jacqueline and Casey backtogether, will the lessons learned in eight years apart be enough to mend themistakes of the past? (978-1-62639-631-9)
Deceptionby VK Powell. DEA Agent Colby Vincent and Attorney Adena Weber are embroiled ina drug investigation involving homeless veterans and an attraction that coulddestroy them both. (978-1-62639-596-1)
Dyre:A Knight of Spirit and Shadows by Rachel E. Bailey. With theabduction of her queen, werewolf-bodyguard Des must follow the kidnappers’trail to Europe, where her queen—and a battle unlike any Des has everwaged—awaits her. (978-1-62639-664-7)
FirstPosition by Melissa Brayden. Love and rivalry take center stage forAnastasia Mikhelson and Natalie Frederico in one of the most prestigious balletcompanies in the nation. (978-1-62639-602-9)
BestLaid Plans by Jan Gayle. Nicky and Lauren are meant for each other,but Nicky’s haunting past and Lauren’s societal fears threaten to derail allpossibilities of a relationship. (987-1-62639-658-6)
Exchange by CF Frizzell. When Shay Maguirerode into rural Montana, she never expected to meet the woman of her dreams—orto learn Mel Baker was held hostage by legal agreement to her right-wingfather. (987-1-62639-679-1)
Just Enough Light by AJ Quinn. Will a serialkiller’s return to Colorado destroy Kellen Ryan and Dana Kingston’s chance atlove, or can the search-and-rescue team save themselves? (987-1-62639-685-2)
Rise of the Rain Queen by Fiona Zedde.Nyandoro is nobody’s princess. She fights, curses, fornicates, and gets into asmuch trouble as her brothers. But the path to a throne is not always the one weexpect. (987-1-62639-592-3)
Tales from Sea Glass Inn by Karis Walsh.Over the course of a year at Cannon Beach, tourists and locals alike findsolace and passion at the Sea Glass Inn. (987-1-62639-643-2)
The Color of Love by Radclyffe. Black sheepDerian Winfield needs to convince literary agent Emily May to marry her to savethe Winfield Agency and solve Emily’s green card problem, but Derian didn’tcount on falling in love. (987-1-62639-716-3)
A Reluctant Enterprise by Gun Brooke. Whentwo women grow up learning nothing but distrust, unworthiness, and abandonment,it’s no wonder they are apprehensive and fearful when an overwhelming love justwon’t be denied. (978-1-62639-500-8)
Above the Law by Carsen Taite. Love is thelast thing on Agent Dale Nelson’s mind, but reporter Lindsey Ryan’sinvestigation could change the way she sees everything—her career, her past,and her future. (978-1-62639-558-9)
ActualStop by Kara A. McLeod. When Special Agent Ryan O’Connor’s presentcollides abruptly with her past, shots are
fired, and the course of her life is irrevocably altered. (978-1-62639-675-3)
Embracingthe Dawn by Jeannie Levig. When ex-con Jinx Tanner and businessexecutive E. J. Bastien awaken after a one-night stand to find their livesinextricably entangled, love has its work cut out for it. (978-1-62639-576-3)
Jane’sWorld: The Case of the Mail Order Bride by Paige Braddock. Jane’sPayBuddy account gets hacked and she inadvertently purchases a mail order bridefrom the Eastern Bloc. (978-1-62639-494-0)
Love’sRedemption by Donna K. Ford. For ex-convict Rhea Daniels andex-priest Morgan Scott, redemption lies in the thin line between right andwrong. (978-1-62639-673-9)
TheShewstone by Jane Fletcher. The prophetic Shewstone is in Eawynn’scare, but unfortunately for her, Matt is coming
