Wings Over Poppies (Over #2) (33 page)
With a huff, Kimberly stalks out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
“Am I gonna have to use my bitch-be-gone spray today? Because you know I will.” Marlo pops her hip and points her finger at the now vacant doorway.
“It’s okay, Marlo, I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it,” Celia says in Kimberly’s defense, although I don’t understand why. She turns to me with remorseful eyes. “I’m so sorry, Alex. I don’t want anything to ruin your day—”
I pull her close and squeeze her tightly. “Absolutely not. Don’t you worry about a thing, Celia.” I smile at my dear friend and then look around the room at my friends and family.
Best. Day. Ever.
I raise my fist in victory. “I’m getting married today!”
“Yeah, you are!” Marlo hollers as she starts rallying the troops. “Let’s get this show on the road ladies.”
As my friends and family file out of the house, my mother grabs my hand.
“Wait just a minute, dear.” She reaches up and lightly touches my hair, needlessly primping. Her hands skim over me as her eyes drink me in with reverence. “I just need one more moment alone with you.”
She hands me my bouquet, but doesn’t let go. “Mimi’s pearls she gave me are laced in with the ribbon. I wanted them to be your something borrowed.”
I grab her hands and squeeze tightly. “I love you, Momma.”
“And I love you, my sweet girl,” she whispers. “I’ve spent so many years trying to impart some sort of grand wisdom upon you, and all the while, you were teaching me. You love with an open heart, unafraid of the consequences. It’s a rare and exquisite thing, Alex.”
“You’re wrong, I’m afraid … I’m afraid most of the time. I just knew the reward of West, the gift of us, would be greater than any fear.”
“Let’s go reap the rewards,” she says with a watery smile.
Dusk has fallen and illuminated light bulbs flicker from the tree branches. The soft notes of Adam’s guitar drift through the night air as Lily and Gage race down the makeshift aisle in a shower of flower petals and giggles.
Holly gives my hair one last fluff, then winks and starts her descent down the aisle. West and I decided to have a small wedding party. I chose Holly as my maid of honor. All four feet of Timothy stands proudly behind West as his best man, chest puffed with pride. I wish I could have been there when he asked him.
I reach for my dad’s elbow and smile. “Are you ready, Daddy?”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready, but I’m so proud of your choice. He’s a good man, Alex.” He squeezes my hand, nods curtly, and moves forward.
I feel as if I’m in a dream as I pass smiling faces and eyes filled with happy tears. My brother, Emmett. Miss Anna. Alex’s mom and sister, Lucy. Cain. Caroline. Everyone I love is huddled and sheltered underneath the branches of the live oak, ready to stand as witnesses to our promises and vows.
When I see him, everything else fades away, just background bathed in a sea of candlelight. His black suit with an open collar hugs his broad shoulders deliciously. Soon enough I’ll run my hands over him, under his jacket, appreciating how beautiful he looks. But right now, I can’t look away from his eyes. As always, he holds me as a willing prisoner. We say so much without ever speaking in those final steps down the aisle.
You saved me. You love me. You waited for me.
You were worth every second of the wait.
“We meet again.” He smiles as his eyes peruse our special spot and then land firmly back on me. He laces our fingers together the second I hand my bouquet to Holly.
“I’m not hiding this time,” I whisper as my eyes turn to my branch.
He pulls me close, only a breath between the two of us, and touches his forehead to mine. With open eyes and a full to bursting heart, he gives me his truth. “Neither am I.”
And under the same tree where a young boy stole my heart, I offer my soul to the man who has come to own every part of me.
And he takes it
.
Other Titles by J.A. DeRouen
Writing
Wings Over Poppies
has been such an amazing journey and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful friends along the way. I owe thanks to so many people, and this list is in no way exhaustive.
As always, I owe my family more gratitude than I can express. A huge thank you to my husband for understanding the endless hours spent sitting in front of my computer. And, yes, fiddling on Facebook is actually working in the indie book world. Thanks so much for understanding that. To “The Professor”, I appreciate the inspiration and the ever-eager coffee shop buddy. A million thanks to my parents for the endless hours of free babysitting … they were free, right?
To the wonderful ladies who read along with me as I wrote Alex and West’s story—you are the best beta readers anyone could ask for, hands down. Your excitement for their story pushed me forward, and your suggestions made WOP the very best it could be. Roxie, thank you for seeing what I couldn’t see time and again. You are truly the ultimate Beta Fairy. Casey, you are my partner in crime, and I can’t imagine this journey without you. Thank you for having the good sense to message me all those months ago. Kristy, I feel like we’ve ridden this roller coaster together, and I’m nowhere near ready to jump off. What a wild, amazing ride! Natasha, thank you so much for all of your kind words and being the cheerleader I needed so many times. You are a true pimp, and I love you for it.
To my wonderful editor, Madison Seidler, formatter, Julie Titus, and cover designer, Regina Wamba, I truly appreciate all of your time and dedication. You’ve all been wonderful resources, and I’m so happy to have found such wonderful people to work with. You all were a joy to work with for both Hope Over Fear and
Wings Over Poppies
. To the new kid on my block, my proofreader Alexis Durbin, thank you so much for taking me on as a client. I was ecstatic when you agreed to work with me, and I truly appreciate your attention to detail and your friendship.
To the fabulous Indie Chicks Rock girls, thank you for the advice, the encouragement, and the endless shenanigans. I truly appreciate your friendships and the endless answers to all of my newbie questions. I’m so glad to have found such a great group of women who make me laugh out loud every day.
To all the amazing bloggers and book clubs who take the time to review and post, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kind words and efforts have meant the world to me. You all are the heart of this indie community, and I’m so appreciative of every post, review, and comment.
To all of the wonderful readers out there, I hope Alex and West’s story takes hold of your heart in the best way. It’s like Christmas every time I receive a message or a comment from a reader telling me they loved my stories. It’s the most amazing feeling to know something I wrote had an effect on another person. Thank you for taking the time to read what I write—I’ll keep writing as long as there’s someone listening.
The most important thank you goes to the soldiers who risk their lives for our freedom every day. It’s an immeasurable gift you give to this country, and a mere thank you feels grossly inadequate. Along with your friends and family members, I pray for your safe return home. God bless you…
J.A. DEROUEN RESIDES IN South Louisiana with her husband, son (aptly nicknamed “The Professor”), and her furry friend, Scout. She has earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and nursing. When she's not writing or inhaling romance novels by the stack, she works as a women's health nurse. She’s been an avid reader and daydreamer since childhood, and she's never stopped turning the page to get to the next happily ever after.
You can find J.A. Derouen online at:
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Coming Fall 2015
