Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2) (42 page)
Read Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2) Online
Authors: Krista Noorman
“Because I love you, too.”
The deep blue of his eyes glistened with tears of his own, and a grin spread across his face. His lips met hers again in what was by far the sweetest, most adoring kiss she had ever received in her entire life.
She felt so joyful and light, as though she might float off the floor and up into the clouds.
He pulled her close, his lips brushing against her earlobe.
Her knees were weak at the sensation. She didn’t think anything could affect her as much as that, until he whispered a promise into her ear.
“I adore you, Michelle, and I intend to be the first and
only
man to show you what it’s like to be truly loved.”
Her heart melted right then and there, and she was happier than she ever thought possible. He really did have a way with words sometimes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life.
Thank you, Lord.
“About time,” Ashley cried as she walked toward them.
Aaron ran full speed in their direction and barreled into them.
They let go enough to make room for the kids in their hug.
Aaron squeezed in, then looked up at Michelle. “We’ve missed you.”
Michelle hugged them both tightly. “I’ve missed you, too.”
Sean suddenly began walking the group backward toward the dance floor. “I feel like dancing.”
“Daddy!” Ashley nearly tripped over the leg of a nearby chair.
“Sean!” Michelle tried to walk backward as gracefully as she could.
Aaron burst out laughing.
Sean held them all close to him, one arm wrapped around Michelle, the other around the kids, and swayed to the music. “I love my family.”
Tears sprung to Michelle’s eyes.
Family
. It was what she had longed for, and now that dream was coming true. They were her family, and she was theirs.
Michelle rested her chin on Sean’s shoulder as the four of them danced. She spotted Simon and Maggie not too far away. They both looked over at her and smiled. Simon gave her a thumbs-up, and she laughed.
“What?” Sean turned his head toward her.
“Simon and Maggie are happy for us, that’s all.”
He kissed her cheek softly. “I’m pretty happy for us, too.”
“Oh, yeah?” She brushed her lips against his, and he smiled. Even those gorgeous eyes of his seemed to smile.
She was overcome with emotion then. Who would have thought that a girl like her, who’d had such a rough upbringing, would be blessed with such a wonderful man, such a bright future. She never would have dreamed of such a life back then. But now, she was amazed at the way God had orchestrated it all.
Back in college, it wasn’t the right time for them. She could see that now. They had to go through life apart for a while, before finding their way back to each other. They had to love others and face the consequences of their choices. They had to struggle with life, with death, with family, with God. They had to wait until God brought them through the hard times, the broken hearts, the many mistakes they would make. They had to lose their way for a while to come back stronger.
Michelle saw it all with fresh eyes now, standing in the arms of the man of her dreams, watching her best friends start their life together. She had longed for Simon because
she
thought he was her perfect match, not because God had told her so. After Simon, she had prayed for her future husband, whoever he might be, that God would draw close to him and prepare his heart. She never dreamed that man would be Sean.
“Is it rude to get engaged at a friend’s wedding?” Sean whispered, after Ashley and Aaron scurried off to eat more cake.
Michelle laughed. “Yes.”
He smiled against her neck. “Because I have a rather large diamond ring burning a hole in my pocket right now.”
Her mouth dropped open as she leaned back and looked at him.
“Not the right time, huh?” he teased.
She clamped her lips together and tried not to smile.
He leaned in close again. “I’m dying to call you my fiancée.”
Her hands began to shake as he let go of her and dug into his pocket.
His smile lit up his entire face as he pulled out the ring. “I believe this is yours.”
A grin spread across her face. “Yes. I believe it is.” Tears filled her brown eyes as he slipped the sparkly ring onto her finger.
His hands trailed up her arms and over her shoulders, cupping her face as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
She was in a state of pure bliss as her eyelids slowly lifted. “I love you.” She kissed him again and again, quick kisses on the lips, the cheeks, the nose.
He couldn’t help but laugh at her sudden enthusiasm. He pulled her into another embrace, and they held each other through the next song.
Michelle’s heart was overflowing with contentment and belonging and love for her future husband and his kids — their kids. God had given her the desires of her heart, and she felt whole for the first time in her life.
Sean leaned close once more. “I love you so much, and I can’t wait to call you my wife.”
She moved her lips close to his ear and smiled as she whispered, “Until then.”
It was more than just their farewell phrase. It was a promise — to love each other in the present while they looked forward to every special moment ahead, to every milestone they would reach, to every day of their life together.
This book would not have come into existence were it not for my Mom’s listening ear, letting me ramble on about the idea on our morning walks. I had this crazy idea to turn
Goodbye, Magnolia
into a series by telling Michelle’s story, but I only had a glimmer of an idea of who she really was. As we walked and I talked it out, I came up with the initial idea for the story, and it all went from there. Once I had written the first draft, Mom listened during a road trip while I told her the entire story start to finish. Thanks, Mom, for always listening while I talk too fast and too loud about my stories. And for always supporting me and being my #1 fan.
Thanks to my oldest and dearest friend, Jen, who also listened to me babble about a couple of my books on our annual camping trip. I took a little bit of inspiration for the character of Michelle from Jen — she was saved her freshman year of college and got her degree in psychology. Jen also has a niece named Ava, while Michelle’s sister’s name is Ava. I am so very thankful for her friendship and for her love and support.
Huge thanks to the lovely Sandra, who graciously allowed me to use one of her wedding photos for the cover of my book.
I love my Launch Team ladies. Their feedback and support mean the world to me. I’m thankful for connecting with each and every one of them. Special thanks to Heather and Anita for their input on this book. I appreciate them both so much.
All of my books are better because of my husband, Jacob. I wouldn’t dream of releasing a book without getting his input first.
The greatest thanks of all go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Salvation comes from Him and Him alone.
As always, thank you, lovely reader, from the bottom of my heart. I love telling stories. It brings me more joy than I can ever express in words. My heart is full because I get to share my heart with you on these pages.
THANK YOU!
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Have a blessed day!
Krista
-- BOOKS
BY KRISTA NOORMAN
--
YOUNG ADULT CHRISTIAN FICTION
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ROMANCE
• Cornerstone Series •
Goodbye, Magnolia
(Book 1)
Until Then
(Book 2)
Cornerstone Book 1
Wedding photography is Maggie's passion. The art of capturing a moment forever in time is magical to her, and she's worked hard to become the best of the best. Week after week, she works with couples as they plan their happily ever afters, but she hasn't been so lucky in love.
Behind the camera, it's easy to hide from the pain and rejection of her past. The life she has made for herself is safe and predictable, until the owner of a rival photography studio sets up shop in her small town and comes to her with an unexpected proposal. Suddenly, everything she has worked so hard to build is threatened and her simple, controlled life is thrown into chaos.
As she travels the state of Michigan photographing weddings, she struggles to keep her business afloat and the wall around her heart intact. But along the way, she learns more about loyalty and love than she ever imagined.
At fourteen, Claire Thomas leads the average life of a teenage girl, living in the shadow of her popular older brother, maneuvering her way through family, friendships, and first love. But her childhood best friend, Drew, is not your average teenage boy. In fact, he's downright unusual. Sometimes he disappears, almost before her eyes. He speaks in clichés, quotes and Bible verses, and is always writing in his worn leather notebook.
Drew seems to have the inside track to all things spiritual, but Claire lives in a family that does not go to church, with a mother who hates God. It seems Drew is trying to tell her something important, but she isn't sure what that is. After years of wondering why she is the only person to ever see or speak to him, thinking maybe he isn't real and it's all in her head, she is determined to discover The Truth About Drew.
