Must-Have Husband (Summer Grooms Series) (12 page)

“Why, who’s this?” Connie asked with delight, as the pup
dropped the scone and scrambled up in her lap, putting its paws on her
shoulders to lick her face.

Mac rocked back on his knees with a smile. “Chance.”

Connie laughed at the pup’s tickling wet kisses. “Chance?”
she asked, patting his furry head.

“The Second!” Hank called from nearby.

Connie glanced at him and smiled. She hadn’t even noticed he
was here. Of course, that would have been difficult with a gorgeous blast from
her past landing on top of her. It was hard to forget what being in Mac’s arms
had been like. Harder still to erase the memory of his sexy kisses. She’d tried
to forget and move on with her life, and she’d really been doing quite well. In
her mind, she’d totally convinced herself that she was over him. Now, seeing
him in person, her heart felt otherwise. By the look in his eyes, he felt otherwise
too. She didn’t know if he’d planned it or if serendipity had brought him to
her shop. But one way or another, it seemed a magical twist of fate. A sign too
blatant to ignore. She grinned at Mac and tilted her chin, hoping that he’d say
yes. “Second chance?”

His face warmed all over as he held her gaze. “I’d like
that.”

Epilogue

A small flower girl tossed white rose petals down the aisle
ahead of her as she strode in perfectly measured steps. Connie stood behind her
in the narthex, glowing radiantly. Mac could spot her from the front of the church
and couldn’t wait for her to join him at the altar so the priest could make her
his bride. Of all the crazy things that had happened to him in his life,
falling out of that tree and nearly landing on Connie had been the single most
important. For that hapless event had set in motion a whole series of others
that led to this wonderful moment here.

Grandpa Oliver wheeled up beside Connie, prepared to escort
her down the aisle. She’d talked it over with her parents and all agreed it
would be the highlight of her grandfather’s life. He had lived to see his final
granddaughter married in the family dress, and, my, didn’t she look beautiful
wearing it. Just like an angel, in fact. Mac chuckled to himself, recalling his
initial impression of Connie with a halo, and knew that, for the eternity of
their marriage, he would always be in heaven.

At the back of the church, Connie caught sight of Mac
standing beside Hank at the altar. He was a vision in a tuxedo and boutonniere,
and had offered to shave his beard, but Connie had said,
“Don’t you dare
.
”
She
adored her rugged mountain man exactly as he was and looked forward to many
years of proving just how much she loved him. It was June fifteenth, and they’d
set this date on purpose. It was precisely one year since they’d met during
Connie and Linda’s ill-fated girls’ getaway. Connie smiled to herself, thinking
that sometimes mishaps led to happy endings, and that when you found the right
guy, free falling wasn’t so hard.

“You look beautiful,” Grandpa Oliver told her. “Just like
your grandmother.”

“I’ll take that as a very big compliment.”

Her grandpa glanced sideways as her brother approached. To
Connie’s surprise, he was carrying a cane. He passed it to her grandpa, who
accepted it with a nod. “Thanks, Ollie.”

Connie looked from one to the other in wonder. “What’s this?”

“I’ve dreamed of this day your whole life,” her grandpa
said. “And I promised your grandmother long ago I’d see it through.”

To her amazement, he steadied his cane on the floor and
leaned forward. A few hoarse coughs erupted from his chest, but he pounded it
with his fist, quieting himself.

“Grandpa, maybe—”

“Please.” He met her eyes as he stood on shaky legs. “Indulge
me.” He stabilized himself, then straightened, shooting her a grin. “I’ve been
practicing up.”

Tears welled in Connie’s eyes as she took her grandfather’s
arm. “I love you so much.”

“I know you do,” he said with a smile. “And I love you. The
beautiful thing is”
—
he
glanced down the aisle toward Mac
—“
now he will love you too.”

The processional began to play, and Connie’s heart soared.
This was the best day of her life, and they were all about to get even better.
As her grandpa led her forward, guests turned in amazement with gasps and
whispers behind raised hands. Yes, he’d surprised them all and rallied to this
special occasion. Connie would never forget this day or her grandfather. He
would live in her heart forever, and the family tradition would carry on.

The End

A Note from the Author

Thanks for reading
Must-Have
Husband
,
a story that is based on
a true tradition within my own family. Many years ago, my grandmother
envisioned an heirloom wedding gown for her descendants. I was bride number
fifteen to wear it, and to date twenty-nine brides have donned the family
dress. If you enjoyed this book, please help other people find it.

1. This book is lendable, so send it to a friend who you
think might like it so that she (or he) can discover me too.

2. Help other people find this book: write a review.

3. Sign up for my newsletter so that that you can learn
about the next book as soon as it’s available. Write to
[email protected] with “newsletter” in the subject heading.

4. Come like my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/GinnyBairdRomance
.

5. Comment on my blog at:
The Story
Behind the Story
.

6. Visit my website:
http://www.ginnybairdromance.com
for details on other books available at multiple outlets now.

Back to Top