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He patted her hand. “She wore her sorrow outwardly, which gave the world the wrong impression about her. Deep down she was a jewel. I like to think I helped bring out that side of her with my love.”

“I have something in my past I haven’t shared with Marc. You’ve given me the courage to do just that,” Charlotte said. She had known for a while now that she needed to be completely honest with Marc. If they had any chance of making their relationship work, she needed to trust him. Fancy and Case’s relationship had shown her the hazards of keeping secrets, even ones that didn’t seem so harmful.

Once Marc finished up in the kitchen, Charlotte and Marc went outside to sit on the wraparound porch. As they settled on to the swing, Marc put his arm around Charlotte’s shoulder and pulled her close.

“You have great parents,” Charlotte said in a gushing voice. “They made me feel right at home.”

“I’m glad. You and my dad seemed to get on like a house on fire,” he said, looking pleased. Charlotte smiled just remembering their poignant discussion. It was one she would remember for the rest of her life.

“He’s one special man,” Charlotte said. ?

?I’m not sure I could have his strength or wonderful attitude.”

“Sure you could. I think we never know how high we can rise until we’re challenged.”

Charlotte looked down at her fingers and away from Marc’s gaze. “Speaking of challenges, there’s something I want to tell you.”

“Can it wait a minute?” Marc asked in a tender voice. “There’s something I need to do first.”

She nodded, sensing he wanted to kiss her. He leaned in and dipped his head down so that his lips were pressed against hers. With the full moon watching, they shared a wonderful kiss that lifted Charlotte up to heights she’d never before experienced. As the kiss ended, Charlotte murmured Marc’s name against his lips. In this moment things were more clear to her than ever. She wasn’t falling in love with Marc. She had already fallen in love with him—madly, dangerously, tenderly in love with him. It was too late to back away or hit the pause button. Charlotte Duvall—for the first time in her life—was in love.

“I’d like to think we can get through anything together. With love and faith and prayer, there really aren’t any hurdles we can’t jump over.”

Case Duvall

Chapter Nine

Fancy and Case’s Valentine’s Day wedding was rapidly approaching. Charlotte was one of the hostesses at a bridal shower for Fancy. It was a beautiful event at the Savannah Historical Society. Fancy—resplendent in a pink dress—was beaming from head to toe about marrying the man of her heart. Charlotte was thrilled for her future sister-in-law. Fancy’s heart was as wide as the ocean. Finally, she was going to be Mrs. Case Duvall.

All this talk about the wedding forced Charlotte to think about bringing Marc as her date. She’d been so busy with work and helping out with minor details for the big day that she’d completely forgotten to ask him. It would be a wonderful opportunity to introduce him to her parents and make their official debut as a couple. Now that she had met Marc’s parents it only seemed fitting.

It felt a little bit scary knowing she was head over heels in love with him. He had the power to shatter her heart in to a million little pieces. It made her feel vulnerable and a bit jittery. What if he didn’t love her back? What if she told him her closely kept secret and he couldn’t handle it?

Charlotte tried to rid herself of any and all doubts. She had been feeling anxious for several days now and she wasn’t quite sure why. Perhaps it was all the anticipation over the wedding. Everyone was in a whirlwind, particularly Case and Fancy, as well as Fancy’s parents and her own. Because the reception was being held at Savannah House, it was going to be a tricky endeavor to accommodate the guests who were staying there during that timeframe. But it was Fancy’s big day and everyone was going to go to the ends of the earth to make her the happiest bride in the world.

At the end of her shift, Marc came by Savannah House to pick her up. Just the sight of him in his dark jeans and button down shirt made her stomach do flip-flops. His smile nearly did her in.

“Hey, beautiful. I’ve been thinking about you all day.” Marc’s warm greeting was the best thing she’d heard all day.

Hearing Marc’s sweet words sent her to the stratosphere. She was rapidly becoming a cliché. Every time he was in her presence, Charlotte just melted like butter on hot popcorn. She was literally weak in the knees. Meanwhile, Marc seemed as cool as a cucumber. She wanted to see him a little bit ruffled, to know deep down in her heart he was falling for her. It would make her feel so much more secure to know it with a deep certainty.

“Good thoughts, I hope,” she teased.

“Nothing but,” he said, taking her by the hand and pulling her toward him. He placed a kiss on her lips, making her feel as if she was the luckiest girl in the world. It was all she could do not to tell him right then and there that she loved him. She didn’t want to do it right here in the foyer of Savannah House, with guests and her dearest friends within earshot.

“Are you hungry? We can get an early dinner then maybe check out a movie or something,” Marc suggested.

“Maybe we should stick around Tybee Island. I’m doing the night shift here. I’m going to crash in the staff bedroom tonight.”

“No problem. How does a walk on the beach sound after dinner?” Marc threw the idea out there about walking on the beach. To Charlotte’s ears it sounded wonderful after a long day at work.

“It sounds glorious. It’s been one of those days,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You know those really long frustrating days where nothing goes right?”

“I’ve had a bunch of those,” he said with a rueful shake of his head. “Try not to think about it. Just relax your mind. I’ll drive tonight so you can just sit back in the passenger’s seat and rid your mind of anything stressful.”

One of the things Charlotte liked most about Marc was his laid-back personality. He had a relaxed vibe. Whenever Charlotte got stressed he always helped calm her down. Tonight was no different. Dinner at a seafront restaurant allowed them to eat at a table outside that overlooked the ocean. It was definitely the best medicine as far as Charlotte was concerned. Her entire life the sea had called to her with its soothing, calm energy.

After they finished dinner they walked Savannah Beach, dipping their feet in the ocean and running along the beach in a test of endurance. When the run ended in a dead-tie, Charlotte knew Marc had let her catch up to him. A true gentleman at all times!

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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