“I touched a fish,” Christine said with a wide smile. “You must be sick of hearing me say that, but I still can’t quite believe it.” She giggled. “I swam with fish in the ocean and I didn’t drown. It was like I was the Little Mermaid. Everything was beautiful. I can’t believe I missed out on that for so long.”
Gavin leaned in for a quick kiss, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. They sat on two lounge chairs at an exclusive resort outside Cancún, watching shades of pink and gold streak across the evening sky.
“I’m glad you enjoyed snorkeling,” he said. “Are you ready for parasailing tomorrow?”
“I’m ready for anything with you,” she confirmed, then placed a hand on her stomach. “But let’s not talk about it or I might lose my nerve.”
“You can do it,” he told her, taking her hand as he leaned back in his chair. “I believe you can do anything.”
She bit down on her lower lip as tears pricked the backs of her eyes. Would she ever get used to his unwavering support?
She watched the waves curling against the shoreline for several minutes, letting the sound of the surf relax her. “I still feel a little guilty leaving Austin when things are so tumultuous with the agency and the Fortunes.”
Gavin squeezed her fingers. “We’re here for the weekend, sweetheart. Maddie and Zach totally support you taking a couple of days off.”
Christine nodded. Gavin had suggested the spontaneous trip to the beach over dinner with his family the evening after he’d proposed to her. Her first instinct had been to say no, but both Maddie and Kenneth, who’d driven over from Houston with Barbara for the impromptu celebration, had agreed it was a fantastic idea.
Schuyler had taken her on a quick tropical-vacation shopping spree since Christine’s only bathing suit was one she’d owned since college.
Her new life would take some getting used to, but she wouldn’t change a thing. Every day with Gavin would be an adventure, whether he was at her side as she conquered her fears or they were settling into a normal routine in Austin. Gavin seemed to enjoy being back in Texas, opening his law firm’s Austin branch.
They’d already talked about finding a house together, and Christine had agreed to sublet her condo to her sister when they did. Her parents had been supportive and surprisingly excited for her when she’d shared the news of her engagement with them. Aimee hadn’t said much but she’d shoved a wedding magazine toward Christine and mumbled that she’d marked the pages with “not hideous” bridesmaid dresses.
She hadn’t bothered to reveal the details of how her relationship with Gavin had actually started. No one seemed to doubt his feelings for her. After years of feeling like she didn’t fit, Christine had discovered that believing she was worthy of being treated with love and respect made all the difference. They had a long way to go to become the close-knit family her mother hoped for, but Christine actually believed they had a chance of getting there.
So much of that had to do with how she’d changed and grown in the past few weeks. She was becoming exactly who she was meant to be and felt more confident than ever. She credited Gavin for helping her to see herself in a different way.
“I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed the ocean like this,” Gavin said, his thumb tracing small circles on the center of her palm.
“Come on,” she chided. “You don’t have to pretend like this is something new for you. I know you’ve been to beaches all over the world.”
“Yes,” he agreed slowly, “but I was always moving, looking for the next thrill. Now I’m content. You’re the best adventure I can imagine, and I don’t need anything else.”
He tugged on her hand and scooted to one side of the cushioned chair. She moved next to him, resting her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Thank you,” he said against the top of her head, “for seeing something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. I love you, Christine.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered. The connection they shared meant everything to her, and she was excited for a lifetime of both big adventures and tiny moments with Gavin. Her heart overflowed with happiness as they watched the sun dip below the horizon. Each day would be a new beginning and she’d cherish every single one.
Look for the next book in
The Fortunes of Texas:
The Lost Fortunes continuity,
Her Secret Texas Valentine
by Helen Lacey.
On sale February 2019, wherever
Harlequin books and ebooks are sold.
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Cowboy’s Lesson in Love by Marie Ferrarella.
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