Big Love in a Small Town (Contemporary Romance) (10 page)

When her plane touched down in Los Angeles Friday evening, Tessa was beyond ready to see Nate. She had missed him so much over the past two days. So many couples, when she interviewed them for their engagement announcements, had told her, “You just know, when you’ve met the one, you just know,” and she now, finally, knew what they meant.

A driver was waiting for her just outside of baggage claim, holding up a sign with her name on it. Tessa frowned. She thought Nate was coming to pick her up.

Slightly disappointed, Tessa let the chauffeur take her bags and she followed him to the waiting vehicle. He opened the trunk of a black limousine and placed her bags inside before opening the door for her.

The limo took Tessa by surprise. It was a luxurious gesture on Nate’s part. He usually drove himself or hired a simple town car. Tessa wasn’t going to complain, though. She sank back against the leather seats and took in her surroundings. That’s when she saw the lovely bouquet of ivory roses and lilies sitting on the side seat with a card tucked among the blooms.

She picked up the flowers as the limo pulled away from the curb. Inhaling the sweet fragrance, Tessa pulled out the note and read it.

Sweet Tessa,

I’ve missed you. Crazy that it’s been only two days. It feels like it’s been much longer. I know you were expecting me at the airport, but I promise, I’ll see you soon. I have a special evening planned for us, so just sit back, have a glass of wine and enjoy the ride.

I love you.

Nate

Tessa pressed the note against her chest. How was it possible that she was living out her own personal fairy tale? How did she get so lucky? This wonderful man was treating her like a princess, and she couldn’t wait to wrap her arms around him and tell him what she’d decided.

After pouring herself a glass of wine, just as Nate had instructed, she leaned back and savored the first sip of her favorite brand of pinot noir. Tessa smiled – he’d stocked the limo with her favorite flowers and her favorite wine.

As they continued to drive, Tessa wondered where she was going. The road wasn’t familiar and they’d been on it a while. It didn’t seem to be in the direction of Nate’s house – the route was coastal, and she was pretty sure it was Pacific Coast Highway.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled into a short, gated drive. The gate opened, and the driver pulled up next to a glass, wood and concrete contemporary beach house. A good glance around told Tessa that they were in Malibu.

With her bags in tow, the driver showed Tessa to the gorgeous home’s front door and opened it for her. Inside, the lights were dim, candles were flickering and cream rose petals were scattered in a trail down the wide hall.

“I was told to tell you to follow the rose petals,” the driver said with a smile before letting himself out.

Tessa eagerly followed the trail as it wound around the corner, through the kitchen, and to the back door. When she opened the door and stepped onto the large deck, she paused her quest momentarily to take in the breathtaking view. The sun was setting, and as it sank slowly towards the ocean, the sky was set ablaze with shades of pink, orange and smoky gray.

“Wow,” she said under her breath. A warm breeze caused her skirt to flow and a couple of petals blew against her sandaled feet. Getting back on task, Tessa continued following the petals down the plank steps that led to the wide expanse of beach.

That’s when she saw him. Standing with his back to the ocean, dressed in linen pants and a white shirt, Nate was waiting for her. The trail of rose petals led to an elegant, white table set for two not far from where Nate stood, but Tessa only had eyes for him. She broke into a run and leapt into his arms.

“I’m so happy to see you!” she said as she hugged him tightly.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered against her hair as he swirled her around before kissing her deeply.

“You are really spoiling me, you know that, right?” she teased after he’d put her down.

“You deserve it. I want to do these things for you,” he told her as he led her to a seat at the table.

After she sat down, he took his seat and poured them each a glass of champagne.

“Where are we exactly?” Tessa asked as she picked up her glass.

“Funny you should ask...” Nate trailed off as he lifted his own champagne. “To wonderful beginnings,” he toasted and they each took a sip of the sparkling wine.

“So, I’m terrible at suspense. What have you decided?” Nate asked after he’d lifted the silver lids, revealing elegantly plated grilled shrimp and angel hair pasta.

“No subtlety, huh?” Tessa said, smiling at him as she took another sip.

“Nope. I’m interested to find out where I’ll be living.”

Tessa sat the champagne flute on the white linen tablecloth. She took Nate’s hand in hers. “I’m ready to take this jump, Nate. I’m going to move to LA. I don’t have details worked out, and as much as I love you, I think it may be a bit too early for us to move in together.”

Nate nodded, a smile spreading across his face. “I hoped you would choose LA. There are so many opportunities here. Plus, we will buy a house in Clearhill, and you can visit as often and as long as you like.”

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “While I would be perfectly happy if you moved in with me, I had a feeling you might not be ready for that. If it’s alright with you, I have a house where you can live until we decide to take the next step.”

“And where is this other house of yours?” Tessa laughed. “Connected to your pool?”

“Why? Do you prefer waterfront?” he asked.

“I’m just kidding, Nate. I don’t expect you to provide me with a house.”

“But, I already have a house, so it’s not a big deal. Will you at least think about it?”

“I’ll think about it. Where is it? I’m not very familiar with the area, so I’d hoped to find something close to you or downtown.”

Nate looked toward the house that she’d come through to get to the beach. “Right there.”

Tessa’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious, Nate.”

“I’m very serious. It’s my beach house. Well, it’s your beach house for as long as you want to call it that. I figured it would be nice to write on the deck with the waves in the background.”

Tears pooled in Tessa’s eyes. “How am I so lucky?”

Nate brushed away the tear that had fallen onto her cheek. Before she knew what was happening, he had gotten on his knee by her chair, her hand clasped in his.

“Tessa, when I’m in, I’m all in. For the long haul. Forever. Some may think I’m crazy – hell, you may think I’m crazy – but when you know, you know. And I know you are meant for me. I’m in love with you – committed, never leaving your side, you are my world.

“I know what it is to have had you in my life, and then not had you. I don’t ever want to feel that way again, and I will spend every day for the rest of forever making sure you know how much I love you. What I’m about to ask you is for the future, for a time when we both feel it’s right, but I want to ask you now as a pledge, a vow to you that I cherish you and what we have together, and I always will.

“Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Nate pulled a brilliant, sparkling diamond ring from his pocket and held it out to her. Was this really happening? Was she dreaming?

“Nate, I love you. I made some mistakes, I pushed you away, and you welcomed me back with open arms, completely embracing me. You’re right, some may think it’s crazy. If you would have told me this a month ago, I would have believed it was crazy. But, I know you’re it for me, too. This is love, babe, and I can’t wait to one day be your wife. I want to be with you forever. So, the answer is yes, a thousand times, yes!”

Nate slipped the ring on her finger and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him soundly. He scooped her up, twirling her around in the twilight as the waves broke against the shore. Perfection, Tessa thought. This moment was perfection. A perfect fairy tale with a whirlwind ending, that wasn’t really the end, but the beginning.

The day she met Nate months ago was a day that had started with a heart still broken and tears still falling. But, it had led to this night – a night of joy and love and beaches with stars twinkling happily over the horizon. She couldn't have imagined in her wildest dreams that this would have happened, and surely Nate hadn’t expected to meet his future wife in a little Southern town. Neither of them had expected to fall in love so completely with one another to the point that any other option than together forever, well, simply wasn’t an option.

In childhood I observed a huge love between my mother and father and promised myself that one day I would meet a man whom I would fall in love with head over heels. At the age of 16, I wrote my first romance story that was published in a student magazine and was read by my entire neighborhood. I enjoy writing romance stories that readers can turn into captivating imaginary movies where characters fall in love, overcome difficult obstacles, and participate in best adventures of their lives. Most of the time you can find me reading a great fiction book in a cozy armchair, writing a romance story in a hammock near the ocean, or traveling around the world with my beloved husband.

If you liked this book, you will also like
In Love with a Haunted House
.
Another interesting book is
A Dream for Two
. I also highly recommend you to read
Love for Dessert
.

In Love With a Haunted House

The last thing Mallory Clark wants to do is move back home. She has no choice, though, since the company she worked for in Chicago has just downsized her, and everybody else. To make matters worse her fiancé has broken their engagement, and her heart, leaving her hurting and scarred. When her mother tells her that the house she always coveted as a child, the once-famed Gray Oaks Manor, is not only on the market but selling for a song, it seems to Mallory that the best thing she could possibly do would be to put Chicago, and everything and everyone in it, behind her. Arriving back home she runs into gorgeous and mysterious Blake Hunter. Blake is new to town and like her he is interested in buying the crumbling old Victorian on the edge of the historic downtown center, although his reasons are his own. Blake is instantly intrigued by the flame-haired beauty with the fiery temper and the vulnerable expression in her eyes. He can feel the attraction between them and knows it is mutual, but he also knows that the last thing on earth he needs is to get involved with a woman determined to take away a house he has to have.

A Dream for Two

Elise Roberts dreams of being a pop star but has been stuck in her hometown since she graduated from high school. Her life seems achingly dull and mapped out when she’s suddenly laid off from the offices where she works as a secretary. With her faithful guitar Elise moves to New York where she takes up waitressing but sings at open mic nights. One night she meets the charismatic Dylan, who is the lead singer for his up-and-coming band. Dylan oozes charm but also arrogance and Elise initially dislikes him. As they vie for attention each night on the same open mic circuit, they come into conflict with one another, but beneath this conflict they harbor more intense feelings for one another. Just as Elise and Dylan have fallen head-over-heels in love, their dreams come true and each of them strikes a deal with a famous record label. Now they are being torn apart by their careers and begin to question whether their success is worth anything if they are not together. Can Dylan and Elise’s new love survive the strain of their burgeoning careers and is either of them willing to sacrifice their dream for the sake of their relationship?