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Bungalow by the Bay Page 15


  Tally slipped past them and walked to her seat. She turned as the music changed and Eddie and Courtney came walking down the aisle. She glanced at AJ and saw he had tears in his eyes as he watched his bride walking toward him.

  Eddie turned to AJ when they reached the arbor. “Take care of her.”

  “I will.” AJ took Courtney’s hand and squeezed it.

  Eddie walked over to stand by Tally, took one look at her, and handed her a handkerchief from his pocket.

  She’d thought marrying Eddie was the happiest day of her life… but this day was so special.

  Her heart swelled, and tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. She dabbed at them with Eddie’s handkerchief, and he looked down at her and smiled a look that told her he was feeling the exact emotions she was. He took her hand in his, his strong fingers wrapping around hers, connecting them.

  Bobby handed the wedding bands to the minister, concentration etched on his tiny face. As soon as he handed them over, he let out a long breath of relief.

  She watched as Courtney and AJ said their vows. Their voices strong and true, love evident in each and every word they spoke.

  “You are now husband and wife.”

  “Whoop.” Bobby jumped up and down and did a quick fist pump.

  AJ kissed Courtney then turned to Bobby and held out his hand. “Come on, son.”

  Bobby walked down the aisle between AJ and Courtney. Tally didn’t even try to hide her tears.

  Epilogue

  Two months later

  * * *

  “Hurry up, Bobby. We have a surprise for you,” Courtney called to her son. She looked up at AJ’s face, filled with boyish excitement. She wasn’t convinced AJ wasn’t more excited about the surprise than Bobby was sure to be.

  AJ leaned down and kissed her. “I love you, Mrs. Hamilton.”

  “I love you, Mr. Hamilton.”

  She couldn’t be more sure of her decision to marry this man. They’d moved into a small beach house near Tally and Eddie. AJ had started working at Magic Cafe, helping run it with her while Tally and Eddie began taking frequent trips together, Tally claiming it was a semi-retirement for her. Her grandmother always came back refreshed, eyes sparkling with love for Eddie.

  “What’s my surprise?” Bobby came skidding into the room.

  “It’s in the kitchen, go look.”

  Bobby raced into the kitchen.

  AJ laughed as he pulled her along after Bobby.

  “Momma, AJ! Did you know there’s a puppy in the kitchen?”

  They walked into the kitchen, and Bobby had plopped on the floor with the puppy crawling all over him.

  “Hm… a puppy. Wonder whose puppy that is?”

  “Is it mine? I’m ’sponsible, you know. Very, very ’sponsible.”

  “Yep, it’s yours.” AJ knelt down on the floor beside Bobby. The puppy licked his face, and he chuckled the rich tones of his laugh. The one she’d come to love. The one she heard all the time now.

  “Do I get to name him? Is it a him?”

  “It’s a him.” Courtney pulled Bobby’s excitement around her like a beloved quilt, wrapping their life in love and contentment.

  “Oh, and I have another surprise for you and your mother.”

  “You do?” Bobby looked up from where the puppy was crawling into his lap.

  “You do?” She eyed AJ, wondering what he was up to.

  “Yep.” AJ stood. “I’m taking you and your mother on a trip this winter.”

  “Where to?”

  “We’re going skiing in Colorado.”

  Her eyes opened wide. “Really? Skiing?”

  “And I’m going too, this time? You didn’t let me go on your honeymoon. Grams said honeymoons are just for adults.”

  “This one is a family vacation.”

  “Whoop.” Bobby stood, picking up the puppy in his arms as he scurried to his feet. “I’m going on a family vacation. My first one ever.”

  “It won’t be our last,” AJ promised. “We’re going to Sweet River Falls in Colorado. I’ll teach you both to ski.”

  “I bet I’m gonna be good at it.”

  “I have no doubt.” AJ ruffled Bobby’s hair.

  Bobby sat back down and let the puppy crawl on him.

  AJ walked over and stood behind her, his arms encircling her waist. “Are you happy?” His voice was warm with love.

  “I’ve never been happier.” She leaned against him. “You remembered our talk about how much I wanted to try skiing.”

  “I did. I remember everything about you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

  A sigh escaped her lips. “You do make me happy.”

  “I’m really glad I went out to Lighthouse Point and made that wish. I’m glad I wished for you to give me a second chance, to love me.”

  “I’m so glad you did, too.” She turned in his arms and leaned up to kiss him, this man she loved so much, this man who’d made the three of them a family. Well, a family of five counting Tally and Eddie, who’d welcomed AJ as a son. Her life had fallen perfectly into place.

  “I love you.” She reached up to touch his face, and he covered her hand with his own.

  “I love you, too. You and Bobby are my whole world.”

  Love, a family, a perfect life on Belle Island. All her dreams had come true… even the ones she’d never known she’d had.

  * * *

  And the legend of Lighthouse Point lives on for all who believe in it.

  Watch for the charming new series, Sweet River, coming soon.

  Also by Kay Correll

  THANK YOU for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. Sign up for my newsletter to be updated with information on new releases, promotions, give-aways and special newsletter-only surprises. Click here to sign up: NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

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  I love to hear from my readers. Feel free to contact me at authorcontact@kaycorrell.com

  See all my books at my website.

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  COMFORT CROSSING ~ THE SERIES

  The Shop on Main - Book One

  The Memory Box - Book Two

  The Christmas Cottage - A Holiday Novella (Book 2.5)

  The Letter - Book Three

  The Christmas Scarf - A Holiday Novella (Book 3.5)

  The Magnolia Cafe - Book Four

  The Unexpected Wedding - Book Five

  * * *

  The Wedding in the Grove (crossover short story between series - Josephine and Paul from The Letter.)

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  LIGHTHOUSE POINT ~ THE SERIES

  Wish Upon a Shell - Book One

  Wedding on the Beach - Book Two

  Love at the Lighthouse - Book Three

  Cottage near the Point - Book Four

  Return to the Island - Book Five

  Click here to learn more about the series.

  * * *

  INDIGO BAY ~ a multi-author series of sweet romance

  Sweet Sunrise - Book Three

  Sweet Holiday Memories - A short holiday story

  Sweet Starlight - Book Nine

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  About the Author

  Kay writes sweet, heartwarming stories that are a cross between women’s fiction and contemporary romance. She is known for her charming small towns, quirky townsfolk, and enduring strong friendships between the women in her books.

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  Kay lives in the Midwest of the U.S. and can often be found out and about with her camera, taking a myriad of photographs which she likes to incorporate into her book covers. When not lost in her writing or photography, she can be found spending time with her ever-supportive husband, knitting, working in her garden, or playing with her puppies—two cavaliers and
one naughty but adorable Australian shepherd. Kay and her husband also love to travel. When it comes to vacation time, she is torn between a nice trip to the beach or the mountains—but the mountains only get considered in the summer—she swears she’s allergic to snow.

  Learn more about Kay and her books at kaycorrell.com

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  WHERE TO FIND ME:

  kaycorrell.com

  authorcontact@kaycorrell.com

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