Six months later
Rebecca squinted when she looked up into the late-May sunshine. “Are you really my mommy now, Miss Melanie?” The black-capped chickadees chirped and flitted from limb to limb in the nearby dogwoods. The sweet fragrance of lilac filled the air. It was the perfect day for a wedding.
“Yes, she is, Squirt. We’re married now, so you can call her Mommy, not Miss Melanie.” Jackson, handsome as ever dressed in his dark tuxedo, scooped his daughter into his arms and smothered her with kisses.
“Daddy, you’re wrinkling my dress.” Rebecca giggled.
Tears pressed against Melanie’s eyes while she watched her family. Her aunt Phoebe was right. God did have a plan for her life. Not only did He plan for Jackson to rescue her after her accident, but also He planned to give her a family once again. She could hardly contain her joy. “Yes, Jackson, put her down. I’m dying to see her twirl in that beautiful dress.”
The second Jackson put Rebecca on the ground, her arms extended and she started to twirl. She spun like a top. Giggles filled the air, and a gentle breeze caught the bottom of her tea-length champagne lace dress. She stopped with a halt and looked at Jackson and Melanie. “This is the best day ever.”
When Jackson rested his strong hands on his bride’s waist, she caught a whiff of his spicy cologne. “Ah...you smell like the outdoors.”
He laughed and gave her a playful squeeze. “So that’s why you wanted to get married out here, because the smell reminds you of me.”
When Jackson suggested they have an outdoor wedding by the river, she couldn’t think of a better place. He knew, after the day he brought her to the orchard to go apple picking, it had become her favorite spot in Sweet Gum Valley. “Well, yes, but there’s another reason I wanted to get married here, Jackson.”
He nuzzled his lips on the back of her neck. “Really? Do tell.”
“This is where I first realized I loved you.” She turned to face him, and their eyes locked. “It was the day you brought me here on a picnic.”
“I thought it was Phoebe’s brownies you fell in love with that day.” He winked and gave her waist a tickle.
“What about my brownies?” Aunt Phoebe asked as she walked toward them, holding hands with Dr. Roberts.
Once Aunt Phoebe returned home after her rehabilitation, Melanie realized Jackson had done a little matchmaking. Dr. Roberts became a regular guest for Sunday dinner. He said her fried chicken was the reason he kept coming back, but Melanie knew otherwise. He and Aunt Phoebe had a standing date at the movies every Saturday night. Melanie was thrilled to see her aunt so happy. Who knew? Maybe there’d be another wedding in the near future. She smiled at the thought.
“Congratulations, you two. I knew the day of Melanie’s accident this boy was smitten.” Dr. Roberts patted Jackson on the back.
Jackson’s face reddened. “Was I that obvious?” His smile was tender when he glanced at Melanie.
Dr. Roberts extended his hand to Melanie. “So, Melanie, I’m curious. What made you change your mind about moving Phoebe to DC, and staying in the valley yourself?”
Melanie remembered the exact moment when she knew she’d never return to DC. Aunt Phoebe belonged in Sweet Gum, and so did she. She looked around at all the faces of the people who’d come to celebrate their wedding day. Even Dr. Roberts’s granddaughter, who’d just graduated from college, came for the special day. Melanie knew in her heart that she was home. She turned to Dr. Roberts. “It was the day I came into work at The Bean and the stove had broken. Half of the town had come out to help, and no one expected anything in return.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “I never knew people could be so caring and unselfish toward their neighbors. It just isn’t that way in DC. I knew then it was wrong for me to take Aunt Phoebe away from the people she loved so much, and who loved her.” She ran her hands down the front of her beaded gown and took in this picturesque spot, her special place by the river. Now it would always be her and Jackson’s special place. She wrapped her arms around Jackson’s waist, drawing him against her. “Plus, I couldn’t take her away and risk never seeing this gorgeous man again.”
Jackson released a loud breath. “Well, I’m glad I was at least part of the reason you decided to stay.” He kissed Melanie’s cheek and winked at Phoebe.
Melanie wanted to keep the other reason between her and God. Their first outing, when Jackson brought her to this magnificent clearing by the river, she felt God’s presence for the first time since the accident. She knew then that God had brought Jackson and his daughter into her life. It was all part of His plan. He was offering her a second chance at happiness. When Jackson had dropped to his knee in the middle of the courthouse and proposed, she knew she’d finally captured her dream.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE,
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and wonderful stories
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Available now from Love Inspired!
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Keep reading for an excerpt from THE RANCHER’S TEXAS TWINS by Allie Pleiter.
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