Fated to be Mine (36 page)

Fate truly did a number on us, sending us both signals to make sure we didn’t miss what was in front of us. Had I not paid attention and taken a chance when all the signals were right in front of me, I would have missed out on loving this beautiful man beside me.

Our arms wrap around each other, keeping each other close in a loving embrace. And as I listen to the steady beat of his heart, I feel complete for the first time in my life. His fingers run gently through my hair and I fall asleep, listening to his confessions of love and thanking fate for bringing us together.

Did you know this book used to not exist? When I originally wrote this, both books were combined together, making it one, very long manuscript. Because I was tossing around the idea of publishing, I reached out to a few of my favorite indie authors and asked for some advice. When I told them the word count, they suggested breaking it into two, which I agreed with after looking at it again. This also gave me room to expand the story and give Tessa and Andrew their much-needed room to grow. So after writing the first draft, taking it apart, breaking it down and rebuilding it, it has come to this. An amazing journey to a destination I never thought I would see when I started this whole thing.

So many people helped me along the way and words can never express what your help has meant to me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

To my husband, my source of support and best friend. He’s done so much for me during this whole journey that I don’t know what I’d do without him. Taking care of our four beautiful girls has been the biggest help by far. With just the simple words “whatever you need”, I knew he was ready to support me throughout everything.

Billie, what can I say that hasn’t already been said. You were the first to fall in love with this story and have been through everything with me during this whole process. You’ve questioned my moves, suggested and praised my changes and have diligently read this book chapter by chapter. You’ve picked me up and yelled my name to the rooftops because you believe in this series and think the world will too. Your support has helped bring me to where I am and I love you for it!

Patricia, Tara, and Stacy … I love you all so, so much! Your constant support has been nothing less than amazing. Your messages, your emails, and overall ways to make me smile have been a lifesaver throughout this process. Thank you for listening to me babble on during my low days and for cheering with me when I felt like I was on top of the world. You have no idea how lucky I am to have found you and am thankful to call you some of my best friends!

Amanda, Andi, Gloria, Heather, Jenn, Melissa, Samantha, Stephanie, and Stephanie: YOU ARE AWESOME!! The videos, the messages, the pictures … all of it has meant the world to me. I know that I can rely on you for whatever help I need. Whether it’s to laugh or cry with me, I know that you’ll always be there. I love and value our friendship and am thankful that we were brought together! Thank you for being my never ending rocks of support!

To the Vixens and all my friends, your support and positivity, your words of encouragement and excitement for this series have been amazing. I love you all and am proud to be a Vixen! #VixenLove

Murphy, again, what can I say. I had zero ideas regarding my cover and you’ve turned it into something amazing. As soon as you showed it to me, I knew it was perfect. Somehow you knew what I wanted with only that little summary of the book. And you nailed it!

And to you, the readers, words cannot express what your support means to me. I am so delighted that you took a chance on Tessa and Andrew and have given them a place to live in your heart. Without you, I wouldn’t be doing this. And don’t worry, this won’t be the end of this series. It’s been highly suggested to me that someone else needs their story told and I may start putting something in the works for that.

Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I love you all! Thank you so much for reading!

Jodie Larson is a wife and mother to four beautiful girls, making their home in northern Minnesota along the shore of Lake Superior. When she isn’t running around to various activities or working her regular job, you can find her sitting in her favorite spot reading her new favorite book or camped out somewhere quiet trying to write her next manuscript. She’s addicted to reading (just ask her kids or husband) and loves talking books even more with her friends. She’s also a lover of all things romance and happily ever afters, whether in movies or in books, as shown in her extensive collection of both.

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