Lucy’s cake was simple yet elegant. Cream frosting with pastel roses and gold writing. The bride wore ivory, long and floaty, with her hair in a messy bun. And that, thought Noah, was how a man described a bride.
“It’s the bone structure,” Lucy whispered in Noah’s ear at the wedding reception, which was held outside on the lawn even though the weather wasn’t what you would call warm, at Cubby and Katie’s house. Huge outdoor gas heaters were warming those who needed it, and Lucy was one of those. “Those McBrides all have it.”
“I’ve been told I have good bone structure,” Noah replied, leaning closer so he could inhale her.
In the ten days since she’d been taken from him, Lucy Dwight had become almost unrecognizable from the Lucy Sullivan he’d met not that many weeks ago.
Her hair had been returned to its normal blonde color and styled. Noah liked it, but then he’d liked her dark hair too. Macy had put her in an emerald green dress that showed off her curves and a short black jacket with shoes to match, which she’d told him several times were killing her. But the biggest change in her was the smile. Lucy smiled all the time now and laughed too.
Now that she no longer lived in fear, she was lighter and more open. He’d loved her before, but that had only grown as he’d watched her change.
“I love this part.”
“When the groom makes a fool of himself?”
Cubby wore a dark gray suit and looked pretty good. He was leading his new wife onto the floor for their first dance as a married couple.
“Cubby could never make a fool of himself.”
“Oh, believe me, he can and has.” Noah was always touching her. A brush of a finger or taking her hand in his. Something always drove him to be connected to Lucy.
“Are you sure you can leave the Howler for so long, Noah? I’d be fine to go without you if you can’t.”
“We’ve had this discussion, Lucy. You’re not going anywhere without me.”
She smiled again. “I was just checking.”
In two days they were starting their journey to California, to her home. Once there, they’d be unraveling the mess that was her financial situation and sorting out wills and what to do with her family’s properties.
“Noah?”
“Hmmm?” He was worried about her facing her past and what she’d find, and how she’d react. It would be hard after so long, facing what she’d lost for so many years. That, plus the memories of her parents.
“I want to live in Lake Howling always.”
“What?” Dragging his eyes from Cubby and Katie, he looked down into Lucy’s gray eyes. Another shock. She’d worn contacts.
“I want to live here with you.”
“Okay, that’ll work.” His throat was tight with emotion. They’d never discussed it, but it had been in his thoughts. “But if you change your mind, I’ll follow.”
“I won’t. And, Noah?”
“Yes.”
“I want you to help me work out how we can use the money I’ll inherit. It will be our money. Maybe you could pay off your loan?”
“Lucy—”
“I know you have your pride, but I have mine too. I want be involved in your life.”
“You are, always will be. I’m not letting you go.” He leaned down and kissed her. “But how about we discuss all this later.”
“Noah?”
He sighed, then turned his chair and hers so they were facing each other.
“Yes.”
“Mrs. C is thinking of selling the Howlery. I think we should buy it.”
“Do you now?”
She nodded, looking so sweet in her new dress, his heart sighed.
“You do realize we’re at a wedding, don’t you, Lucy?”
“I do, and it’s a great place to talk because you can’t walk away from me.”
He cupped a soft cheek. “I’d never walk away from you.”
She kissed him, her lips clinging to his.
“I love you, Noah.”
“I love you, Lucy, and I know it’s too early for us to discuss it, but one day I want this with you.”
“Really? Oh.” She pressed a hand to her lips.
“Really. Marriage and babies. Plus, Buddy and Bandit need a proper home. But as I just said, how about we discuss it later.”
“I just wasn’t sure, after Samantha, if you’d want to do it again.”
“I never loved her like I do you.” Noah kissed her again.
“Seriously. Will you two stop that shit? It’s time to dance, not sit here doing the eye thing with each other.”
“Eye thing?” Noah looked up at Buster, who was rocking Emily.
Buster did something that made him look constipated.
“Oh, that thing,” Lucy said, clearly understanding him when Noah had no clue.
“So get to it,” Buster said.
“What?”
“Dancing, you idiot. Hot girl right there in front of you. Dance with her, for pity’s sake.”
“On it.” Noah added, “Lucy?”
“Yes.”
He cupped her face so she looked at him.
“Whatever we face in California, I will be right at your side. No one will hurt you again, okay?”
She sniffed loudly.
“You have made me whole again, sweetheart. Made me feel like I want to wake up with a smile each day. You, Lucy, have healed me.”
“Oh, Noah, it’s the same for me.”
“And now we need to dance, or another one of our idiot friends will have something to say. So take my hand, baby, and let’s show these people how it’s really done.”
He saw the smiles on the people he loved as he led her to the dance floor. There would be challenges ahead, everyone had those, but now he knew that he’d always be facing them with the woman he loved.
Tex and Annabelle danced by, making kissing sounds, so Noah obliged.
“Lucy.” She looked up at him. “I love you.”
He kissed her right there on the dance floor in front of the people that mattered most in his life, and Noah could say with all honesty, he’d never wanted anything more.
Thank you for reading THEN CAME YOU I hope you enjoyed Noah and Lucy’s story. Book #8 in the Lake Howling series FAITH AND THE ROCK STAR is available for preorder now!
Childhood Sweethearts, a Rock Star, and a parrot called Syd!
Ryan Lawrence wasn’t on Faith Harris’s list of favorite people. He’d broken her heart after one magic night together, then walked away to find fame. Forgive and forget wasn’t her motto, so when his handsome face appears back in Lake Howling, it’s fair to say she’s not happy. She’s stronger now, a businesswoman who doesn’t take any crap from anyone. Especially not a rock superstar with an over-inflated ego. He may be a man loved by thousands, just not her!
So why did she kiss him?
He’s back in Lake Howling to see his sister and instead finds something Ryan hadn’t known he was missing. Friends and Faith. Friends he understood, Faith he didn’t. She refused to acknowledge his success, and her cool attitude gets under his skin. But he’s never walked away from a challenge, especially one that stirs him up like Faith.
When his life follows him from L.A. and threatens Faith, he knows that leaving is no longer an option, because if he did, he’d be leaving more than his home. He’d be leaving his heart behind too. Ryan will do everything he can to protect the woman he now loves and make her understand he’s sticking. He’ll fight for a life together, no matter what it costs him.
Author’s Note: If you enjoy your small town romance sizzling with a side of crazy, then Lake Howling is for you. Meet the real authority in town - the local book club - and Mrs. C., the interfering ex-owner of the Cakery who has no idea of personal boundaries, and a parrot named Syd who swears like a drunken sailor! Swim (or skinny dip!) in the ice cold lake, then warm up with coffee and a mystery muffin at The Hoot Café. Plenty of feels and LOLS, all wrapped up in a town that will have you packing your bags to head there, from the very first page.
ONE CLICK FOR FAITH AND THE ROCK STAR!
To find out more about my new releases sign up for my newsletter:
SIGN UP FOR LANI BLAKE’S NEWSLETTER www.laniblake.com/connect