Letters Home (35 page)

The third pinwheel was sitting next to one of the benches. The message on it read
“Turn to the left and walk straight. Make sure to collect and read each pinwheel along the way.”

I could see the path the pinwheels plotted, right up to the top of a hill. The first one wasn’t far from the where I was standing. I made my way over and plucked it from the ground.
“Danielle, every day I look at you, I thank my lucky stars that you came into my life.”

Every couple of feet there was a new pinwheel.

“I know life with me may not always be easy, but life is what we make of it.”

“You are my life, my love, my best friend.”

I made sure to pick up every one, but by the time I read the third clue, I realized this was not Liam’s game.

It was Tanner’s.

“There will be times when I have to leave, but I promise I will hurry back to you as soon as I can.”

I was confused. What was the point in all of this when Tanner was still in Afghanistan?

“And know that hurts me just as much to walk away from you as it does for you to watch me leave.”

The last clue was directly in front of me at the top of the hill.

“I promise that every time I return, I will hold you in my arms and dry your tears.”

There were no more pinwheels behind it on the slope down. Shaking my head, I turned around to head back the way I came and almost screamed when I saw Tanner, my Tanner, kneeling before me, an open ring box in his hand. “To me, Danielle, you are all of these things, and you will make me the happiest man alive if you agree to be my wife.”

Without a second thought I dived at him, covering his face with kisses. “Yes. Yes. Yes. I would be honored to be your wife.”

He pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it on my finger.

“I love you so much.” His lips devoured mine, making up for all the time he’d been away. And that was okay with me.

It felt like we had both come home.

THE END

To my husband, who has been with me every step of the way. I don’t know what I would do without out and I’m so thankful for every day we have together. You have given me every opportunity to make my dream come true.

To my babies, life is what you make it. You are the loves of my life. Nothing would be the same without you in it and I am thankful for every moment we have. I know you won’t be young forever, and I am going to treasure every minute I have with you.

To Rebecca’s Readers, you guys are pimping geniuses. Thank you so much for all of your hard work.

To Tracy, Coleen, and Jessika, you guidance and advice throughout the process was invaluable to me. You put up with me lack of deadlines and even kept reading when you weren’t very happy with me. Thank you for beta reading and I can’t wait to start work on the next one with you.

Thank you to Kassi Bland Cooper, without you I can only image what the final copy would have looked like. It’s your work that made
Letters Home
beautiful on the inside.

Thank you to Regina Wamba of Mae I Design for the amazing cover. Working with you has been amazing experience and once again you have taken beautifully shot pictures and turned them into one of the most gorgeous covers I’ve ever seen. You have amazing vision.

Thank you Miranda RCR, what I would do without you I really don’t know. You’ve kept me calm and off the ledge more times than I can count. Thank you for keeping me organized and on track (some of the time). You are the most wonderful PA and author could ask for.

And finally to Ryn Hughes of Delphi Rose, I’m not sure thank you is enough. You put up with my crazy and got Letters Home on the right track. Every book I learn a little more from you. I’m going to keep improving my writing and take each piece of advice and drill it into my memory.

The Forgiven Series

Forgiven

Redemption

Healed
(Coming Summer 2014)

Forbidden Fruit Volume I

Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and watch episodes of Shameless and True Blood.

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