Chris Read online

  Tonight was to be very special. He would come back later and make plans with Charlotte. After the lunch-time rush. At least then she’d be able to sit down with him and talk. He’d made it a habit to have lunch with her most days, so they got to spend as much time together as possible. When he wasn’t out on a job that was.

  She knew the drill. She’d lived through it with her husband.

  He winced. He didn’t want to think about Charlotte with anyone else. He knew that was selfish, and even a bit stupid, but he wanted to think about her as his girl. Now more than ever.

  ~~~

  It had become one of their most favorite places to visit.

  The food was good, but it certainly wasn’t the best he’d ever eaten. Most likely, Chris decided, it was because of the muted lights, the soft music, and the intimate dance floor.

  Neither of them was the greatest of dancers, but they enjoyed being in each other’s arms, and just swaying to the beat.

  If it hadn’t been for the fundraiser, they would never have known. Neither would they have really gotten to know each other.

  To know that despite their resistance, the universe had thrown them together for a reason. That they’d both suffered tragedy, and both needed healing.

  Chris contemplated all this as he held Charlotte lovingly in his arms. Felt the deep connection they had, and never wanted it to end.

  He looked down into her face, into the depths of her beautiful hazel eyes. His life had changed so completely over the past months, and despite his resolve, he had opened his heart to the wonderful woman standing here, wrapped in his arms.

  His heart raced, and his head swam. What did he do to deserve such an angel?

  Her eyes were closed, and she was being swept away by the music. Her face was so serene, and she looked so content. He loved the way she looked when she was happy.

  Charlotte’s head leaned against his chest, and he stroked her cheek as she looked up into his eyes. Did she see the love, as he saw in hers? He hoped so.

  His love for her had grown immensely since he’d first held her. That was a turning point for him, and he praised God for sending her to him.

  He leaned into her and kissed her mouth, and she closed her eyes. Her arms went up and stroked his back. He loved being with her, and just holding her. There was nothing he enjoyed more.

  “Charlotte,” he said.

  She opened her eyes and looked to him. “Mmmmm?”

  “I love you, Charlotte,” he said so only she could hear, meaning every word.

  She smiled sweetly. “I love you too.”

  He suddenly pulled out of her arms and dropped to his knees in the middle of the dance floor. “Marry me, Charlotte,” he said, as he pulled a ring box out of his pocket.

  The other couples stopped dancing around them and began to stare, hanging on every word. But he wasn’t deterred. She didn’t answer, so he pulled the engagement ring out of the box and slid it on her finger. “Marry me,” he said again, his heart now racing so much he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stand again.

  She stared at the ring, and then at Chris. He couldn’t read her expression, and for a moment, he was certain she was going to say no. His heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces.

  He closed his eyes. He didn’t want to see her face when she said no.

  “Christian,” she said, touching his cheek. “Did you hear me? I said yes!”

  Everyone around them began to clap, and everything seemed to move in slow motion. He got to his feet and wrapped his arms around the love of his life. His soulmate. The woman he was going to marry.

  ~~~

  The wedding was a small affair.

  Originally, out of respect for Charlotte and the circumstances of her husband’s death, Chris thought a registry office wedding would suit Charlotte better.

  But she was having none of it. So, a small chapel wedding it was.

  She looked incredibly beautiful in her knee-length soft mauve gown and matching shoes. They wanted to keep it intimate, inviting only people who were special to them, so it was close friends, family, and police family only.

  As they were pronounced man and wife, Chris took his new bride by the hand and pulled her toward the chapel entrance, stopping momentarily to kiss her.

  He didn’t care who saw them, they were married now.

  “Hello Mrs Dolan,” he said, and she grinned at him.

  She put a finger to her mouth. “Hmmm,” she said. “Charlotte Dolan. Kinda rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?”

  He hugged her tightly and didn’t ever want to let her go.

  The last thing he saw as they left the church was Lizzie standing at the back of the chapel, wiping tears from her face as she grinned at him.

  The End

  Message from the Author

  Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.

  I would greatly appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon, even if it is only a one-liner. It helps to have my books more visible on Amazon!

  ~~~

  To see all the books in this series click here.

  The River Valley Lawmen Series is a spin-off from the popular Callahan Brothers Series.

  To Check Out the Callahan Brothers Series, Click Here.

  Check out the Callahan Brothers great-great grandmother Bessie’s story:

  Bessie

  About the Author

  Multi-published, award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.

  She writes both contemporary and historical western romance, as well as romantic suspense.

  She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren.

  When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.

  Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.

  Other Links:

  My Website

  Visit my Blog

  Join my Facebook Reader Group here

  Join my newsletter here