Now he turned the boat in that direction and rowed through quiet waters.
They came to the cove. Their new house was rising out of the ground, the framing nearly done.
Already, Jonas could feel the long summer days that would unfold here. He could hear children laughing and dogs barking. He could smell campfires burning and marshmallows cooking. He could see Krissy reading on the deck and a little girl with blueberry stains around her mouth. He could see himself and another child carrying a string of fish up from the dock. For one brief, incredible moment, he could see the future.
“Are you ready?” he asked softly.
With reverent fingers, she unscrewed the lid from the urn. She held the open mouth over the water and the ashes spilled out in a silver trail across it.
He thought of that strange woman whom he had only met once, how he had felt she had seen his soul and known things about him no one could know.
He thought of how she had loved Krissy, how she had kept that little spark of belief in love alive in Krissy, when her childhood experiences could have snuffed it out for good.
He knew he owed this woman in some way. Jonas was well aware he did not know how these things worked, but that did not stop him from being grateful, daily, that it had worked. That Aunt Jane had, from heaven, made them, Jonas and Krissy, her most perfect match.
“Thank you,” he said softly, and Krissy smiled.
It was that smile that lit his world, and that he saw on his child’s perfect little lips. It was a smile that let him know, over and over again, that the world was full of distractions. Wealth and success, toys and games like the ones he used to play.
But in the end, all that mattered was what that smile told him.
Jonas knew Krissy had been absolutely right about putting these ashes in this tiny lake where her aunt had never visited.
Aunt Jane would want to be right here. In her favorite place.
Where the love was.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781488073694
Matchmaker and the Manhattan Millionaire
Copyright © 2021 by Cara Colter
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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“I know that asking you to marry me felt like the most right thing in my life, that being here with you is exactly where I want to be. Where I need to be. So, trust me on this. Trust me to keep my word. Trust me to make it up to you. All of it.”
She wanted to, how she wanted to. “I…”
“Carlotta, cara,” he said, low and intent. “Give me a chance?”
She was drowning in the intensity of his gaze, and all the reasons, the many good reasons, to stand her ground slipped away as if they had never been. Could things be different? Could she trust him this time?
Dear Reader,
Winning Back His Runaway Bride was written and edited during a time when, like most of you I’m sure, I barely left my house except for dog walks, which made me determined to set this book somewhere beautiful, sunny and extra romantic. And where better than the gorgeous, glamorous Amalfi coast and my favorite city, Rome?
When impulsive, live-for-the-moment Charlie meets sensible tycoon Matteo, opposites attract and after a whirlwind courtship, the couple marry. Reality quickly intrudes and the pair start to realize that despite the sparks and passion, their marriage is failing before it has really begun. Determined to move on and put the past behind her, Charlie walks away—until an accident wipes all the memories of the last year from Matteo and she finds herself falling in love with her husband all over again. But will love conquer all, or are they doomed to repeat the same mistakes again?
Spending time in Italy, even if just in my imagination, was an absolute joy, and I loved getting to know Matteo and Charlie. I hope you do, too.
Love,
Jessica
Winning Back His Runaway Bride
Jessica Gilmore
A former au pair, bookseller, marketing manager and seafront trader, Jessica Gilmore now works for an environmental charity in York, England. Married with one daughter, one fluffy dog and two dog-loathing cats, she spends her time avoiding housework and can usually be found with her nose in a book. Jessica writes emotional romance with a hint of humor, a splash of sunshine and a great deal of delicious food—and equally delicious heroes!
Books by Jessica Gilmore
Harlequin Romance
Fairytale Brides
Honeymooning with Her Brazilian Boss
Cinderella’s Secret Royal Fling
Reawakened by His Christmas Kiss
Bound by the Prince’s Baby
Wedding Island
Baby Surprise for the Spanish Billionaire
Summer at Villa Rosa
A Proposal from the Crown Prince
Maids Under the Mistletoe
Her New Year
