Page 116 of An Endless Memory

He whooped and picked me up. His mouth was on mine as he whirled us around. When he set me down, neither of us looked around to see if we made a spectacle. It was a wedding. We’d announce the new baby later.

“When should we tell the kids?” Eliot asked. “Kellan might say ‘no,’ but that’s the only word he can say. And I’d like for us to talk to them about the official adoption first.”

“Cali’s already calling herself Cali Knight. I don’t think she’s going to protest.”

A proud smile stretched his lips wide. “I can’t wait. We’re going from a family of four to five.”

We started dancing again, and I laid my head on his chest. Horses grazed in the pasture closest to the house. “At least all the new animals aren’t my fault.”

“They’re my job. I’m justified.” He tipped my chin up. “I’m also so damn grateful I’m one of the critters you took in.”

“You cuddled better than Flakes.”

He laughed, and we danced until the song changed to another. Then he found Cali and danced with her. My mom was in line for the next dance.

I chatted with my sisters until Mom walked Eliot over.

“He’s such a good guy,” she gushed and turned to him. “I’m proud to call you my son.” She crushed him in a giant hug. When she let him go, a stunned expression was on his face. He blinked like it was the first time he’d been told someone was proud of him.

I loved my family more today than I ever had.

Mom glanced at my sisters. “I’m not going to be one of those mothers who pressures you. I want all my kids to be choosy about their partners. But…I’d love to meet them before I die.”

Poppy choked on her punch as Mom wandered away.

“No pressure,” Clover said around her laugh. She shot me a fake glare. “She didn’t talk that way when Carter and Willis were getting brought around, but you had to open a can of worms with that guy.” She jerked her head toward Eliot.

“I’m not guilty at all.” I took Eliot’s hand again.

“Ladies, I need to steal the bride.” He slowly towed me away.

“Get ’em, gurrrrl,” Poppy called after us.

Eliot led me to the house, but we ducked into the garage where people would be less likely to look for us. His pickup was inside and would offer us some shelter if someone walked in.

He opened the back door and lifted me onto the seat, then he kissed me. A slow, sweet kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes were full of love. He was my future. “One year ago today, I knew you were everything I wanted. But at the time, I thought I couldn’t have you.”

“I’m yours.”

“You’re all mine. Forever. Together, we’re going to make endless memories.”

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All the Knights have settled down, but Lily has five siblings who need to find love or they’ll lose their inheritance. What happens when Violet lets loose for one night with a guy she meets at a bar in Coal Haven? She has only a first name, and no way to find him to tell him he’s going to be a dad. Until one day when she confronts the renter currently in the property left to her.

Evander Barron returns home after more than a couple of decades in the army to find his one night stand throwing up on his porch. Then she tells him the news. He should be elated, but his past hasn’t made it easy to trust, and he doesn’t trust Violet. So it’s best to keep her close. It’ll be his worst decision, or the best thing he ever did, in Violet Promises.

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