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Since the weather had not yet turned cold and the day arrived without a hint of rain, they’d opted to hold their reception outdoors. White tablecloths fluttered in the gentle autumn breeze, while sunshine glimmered through the leaves of the trees that had only begun to turn from green to the rich shades of gold, crimson, and vermillion.
Her brothers had constructed a temporary dance floor. For the first song as husband and wife, Grace had requested “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” As she and Levi swayed to the song, she saw Stella and her mother both dabbing at their tears.
Grace shifted her attention back to her husband. She could hardly believe it. She was married to the man of her dreams. All she’d had to do was open her heart to love and pray that she’d know him when she met him.
And she had.
“I love you so much, Miss American Pie,” Levi whispered in her ear as they danced. “You are so beautiful and dear to my heart. I’m so grateful you agreed to spend the rest of your life with me. I vow to do my best to show you every day how precious you are to me.”
Grace smiled and leaned back slightly in his arms to better see his face. “Do you have any idea how much I treasure you, Levi, and your love?”
“I’m starting to get an idea,” he said with a grin.
Later, when they were ready to leave for their honeymoon in Seattle, Grace returned to the basement room with Cindy to change out of her wedding gown and into a new navy blue traveling suit with a burgundy and navy paisley blouse that was a gift from Cindy and her mom.
She picked up her purse to leave, then stopped and spun around. “I almost forgot to write the note!”
She took out the pink pistol case she’d brought back to Holiday, carefully removed the parchment letter, and scanned the notes previous brides who’d been in possession of the revolver had written. Some made her laugh, and a few grabbed onto her heart. Without overthinking what to write, she picked up a pen and added her own message to the paper.
Grace Marshall wed Levi Gibson amid autumn’s splendor on October 15, 1972. He called me a lucky shot, but what I really am is lucky in love to marry the man I love with all my heart and soul.
Grace blew on the ink so it would dry quickly, tucked the note back into the case, and gave the case to her best friend. “You’ll make sure it gets mailed?”
“I will do that first thing tomorrow,” Cindy promised, then gave Grace a one-armed hug. “Have the best time with Levi, Grace. Both of you deserve happiness without measure.”
Grace smiled as they hurried back upstairs. “I intend to do everything I can to make our home a peaceful, joyful place full of warmth and love.”
“You’ve already done that to my heart,” Levi said, slipping behind her and kissing the spot beneath her ear that made delightful sensations slide along her spine. “Are you ready to walk into the future—our future—together?”
“No,” Grace said, grinning at him as she laced their fingers together and tugged him toward the door. “With you, I’d much rather run!”
Outside, their guests cheered, pelting them with rice and rose petals. Grace heard Levi’s laughter as he attempted to shield her from the worst of it as they dashed to her car. After he helped her inside, he bent down and kissed her softly.
“I love you, Grace Gibson, and I have a feeling today is only the beginning of what will be years ahead full of happiness, laughter, and so much love.”
She placed her hand on his cheek. “Then may it be so, Levi. May it always be so.”
Continue reading for an excerpt from the next Pink Pistol Sisterhood sweet romance,
Aiming for His Heart.
Also, enjoy an excerpt fromLake Bride, a sweet romance set in the town of Holiday!
Iinheriteda1961Betty Crocker cookbook from my grandma. When I started working on this story, it was one of the first things I plopped onto my desk next to my computer, so I could look up food Grace would have been making or enjoying. My hubby, Captain Cavedweller, loves all things pineapple, so I had to try the recipe for pineapple cookies. The first attempt lacked enough pineapple flavor, but this updated version was a hit with CC. So, I had Grace bake them for Levi. I hope you enjoy these flavorful cookies if you give them a try!
Pineapple Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 cup crushed pineapple
½ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
