She considered herself a practical romantic. It was the small, everyday things that usually did her in. Much as she loved them, she didn’t expect or want grand gestures. Flashy wasn’t her style. So, that he’d brought her here, where they’d had so many of their firsts, to ask her to be his and heal the wound of their previous, painful end, was exactly right. He was exactly right and exactly hers. Finally.
Tears burned her eyes, and she swallowed against the emotion in her throat to find her voice and give him a sassy smile. “Well, since you asked so nicely…”
“I did promise to work on the bossy thing. Sorry about that. Paisley, will you—”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “I think you can get away with orders just this once. Because the answer is yes. For you, the answer will always be yes.”
His answering grin lit up the night. “Then let’s make it official.” Pulling the ring from the box, he slid it onto her finger.
A perfect fit.
As he rose and slipped his arms around her, she linked her hands behind his neck. “You know…Tennessee is a no-waiting-period state for marriage licenses.”
“Oh? Do I even want to know why you know that?”
“The same reason I know most random trivia. Book research. I’m just saying, Gatlinburg is only a three-hour drive. We could swing by on our way home. In the name of not losing any more time.”
His delighted laugh warmed her already overflowing heart. “Have I mentioned I love the way you think?”
“Once or twice, but a girl never gets tired of hearing it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
And with the moon rising behind them, she kissed the first love she was going to marry.
Choose Your Next Romance
I hope you enjoyed this conclusion to the Rescue My Heart trilogy! If you’d like to read all about Emerson and Caleb (and see where Paisley first made it onto the page), then their hot, younger best friend, firefighter next door, empty nest romance is the book for you. Check out Let It Be Me, the first of the Men of the Misfit Inn series.
If you want more Ari, she features heavily in the books of all her aunts, beginning with When You Got A Good Thing, Kennedy and Xander’s story. Theirs is another second chance romance that’s sure to warm the cockles of your heart.
Can’t decide? Keep turning the pages for a sneak peek!
Sneak Peek Let It Be Me
Men of the Misfit Inn, Book #1
Four years ago, firefighter Caleb Romero saved a child and met the woman of his dreams. But trauma killed the timing, so he’s contented himself with being the friend she needed as she navigated sudden parenthood.
Four years ago, Emerson Aldridge became a mom in the worst possible way. Without qualm, she abandoned her own dreams to shepherd her teenage daughter through their shared grief. Her number one priority has been to raise Fiona the way her best friend would have wanted.
Now Fi’s headed off to college and Emerson has no idea how to feel about her suddenly empty nest. She barely even remembers life before motherhood, but Caleb’s right next door to give her a reminder—along with a toe-curling kiss that catapults them past friends and into something more. The life she wanted before the accident is still within reach. He just has to convince her that their age difference means nothing.
Piece of cake. Right?
“I am not drunk enough for this.”
As truly horrific honky-tonk music slammed into her like a freight train, Emerson wished for a shot of something stout and the silence of the recording booth. She almost turned around to go home to Hamilton as the blonde on stage reached the ear-splitting chorus of “Stand By Your Man.” But her boyfriend had blown their plans tonight because of work, and she’d promised Paisley she’d meet her new man. It seemed a shame to waste all the effort she’d put into her appearance for the cancelled date, so she’d dragged herself all the way into Nashville to Lower Broadway.
Weaving her way through the crowd that didn’t seem in the least deterred by the steady drizzle of spring rain, Emerson scanned the bar for familiar brunette curls. As she edged past too many bodies, her phone vibrated. Fishing it out, she saw Fiona Gaffney flash across the screen. Her goddaughter. One of the lights of her life. It was too damned loud to answer now. She’d get this meet and greet over with and call her back on the way home.
“Emmy!” Paisley’s excited squeal reached her, even over the catcalling toward the stage. She materialized out of the throng and looped an arm through Emerson’s. “You came!”
“You did not tell me it was karaoke night. You know how I feel about karaoke.” She had to lean close to be heard over the noise. Bad music aside, Paisley knew she avoided places like this because she had to protect her voice for work.
But her long-time friend didn’t wilt under the accusatory stare. “Oh, don’t be a fuddy duddy.” She began to drag Emerson through the bar. “You need to hear Dustin sing.”
“Please tell me you haven’t latched on to another country music hopeful.” Her excessively romantic best friend had definitely had a type back in college. They’d attended more than their fair share of open mic nights and karaoke competitions in the name of being supportive.
“God no. He’s just got a gorgeous voice.” Paisley winked. “And a really great ass.”
Stopping at a high-top table with a sandy-haired guy in jeans and an untucked black button down, she waved an enthusiastic hand. “Dustin, baby, this is my dearest, darling bestie, Emerson Aldridge. Emerson, my boyfriend, Dustin Phelps.”
Emerson shook his proffered hand and slid onto one of the chairs, sending up a prayer of sincere gratitude as the
