Give Love a Chance [Willow Springs 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 13

  Chase pulled Noelle down to the ground with him and covered her with his body. Noelle heard a bunch of commotion and hysterical crying. The sound of more voices in her store made her want to peek out to see what was happening. Chase told her to wait for Chance to give the all-clear signal.

  A few minutes later Chance was next to her and pulling her into his arms. Noelle wrapped her arms around him. Both of them were trembling. Noelle clung to him and sobbed. Chase and Jaxon were out on the floor talking to the sheriff. He wasn’t a happy man that they interfered.

  “Is it over?” Noelle asked burying her face in his neck. She was trying to calm her nerves, but she felt her body shaking.

  “Yes,” Chance whispered against her neck. “I wanted to kill her. She knew her words were cruel. I saw it in her eyes. She is one fucked-up chick.”

  “I know. I felt sorry for her for about five minutes.” Noelle cried. Chance waited for the sheriff to take Carly away while he sat on the floor holding her.

  When her emotions finally settled somewhat she looked around her store. “Where is Quinn? Is she safe?”

  “Yeah. Chase got her out and into Mr. Sanchez’s store,” Chance answered. “She did not want to leave you. Chase is pissed at her.”

  Noelle sagged with relief. “I didn’t want her hurt. I was so scared, Chance. All I could think about was that I wanted fifty or sixty more years with you. I wasn’t ready to die.”

  He kissed her lips tenderly. He wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “I want forever with you, Noelle. Carly almost took that from us. I will never forgive her for this. Her parents better take her far away from here.”

  She nodded, putting Carly out of her mind. She was glad it was over and she could concentrate on making a life with the man she loved. “Forever sounds about right.”

  Chapter 17

  Noelle sat on the barstool at Hank’s place. Chance and Noelle had gone to the courthouse to get married earlier in the day. Soon they would throw a huge party, which his mom was planning, but for now this was what they both wanted. She still wore a white silk dress that reached her knees. It had tiny pearls sewn along the neckline and short sleeves. Quinn wore a pale gold color that was in this fall. Her red hair was pinned up in curls on top of her head.

  “To Noelle and Chance,” Chase cheered, lifting his beer bottle. Jaxon, Hank, and Quinn clapped. The bar was filled with people who joined in the cheers. The music was loud and energetic. The atmosphere was happy.

  Chance kissed her knuckles and winked at her. His grin was the happiest she had ever seen. “Happy, Mrs. Brooks?”

  Noelle laughed with her own happiness. Her cheeks hurt from smiling. She was a married woman now. It would take time to truly sink in. “Yes.”

  “That is what I like to hear.” His brown eyes were filled with love and promises. Promises that she believed this time. Promises she knew he would keep.

  If Carly’s craziness showed her anything, it was that genuine love was worth fighting for. Maybe Carly’s feelings for Chance had been genuine, but she expressed them in a dark way, trying to destroy Noelle. They waited for the gossip to die down before getting married. Summer had passed and cool September evenings came in. She hoped Carly never returned to Willow Springs. The whole town had been shocked by that day’s events. Chance had protected her from the majority of the gossip. The Sanders sold their house and moved to California. Chase assured them Carly would not be allowed her freedom for a long time.

  Noelle put all thoughts of Carly out of her mind. This was her special day and should be filled with happy memories. No longer was she alone. She had a husband and mother-in-law and a bunch of great friends that helped her heal.

  “Dance with me?” Chance’s words sent vibrations in her ear that made her shiver. She set her beer down and followed him to the dance floor.

  She leaned her head on his shoulder and listened to the soft, sweet melody. She swayed along with the beat. His aftershave was musky and appealing. She placed a soft kiss on his neck.

  Chance had been her rock the last few weeks, holding her when she woke up crying and feeling afraid. Finally she was feeling stronger and confident again.

  “Let’s get out of here soon. I can’t wait to make love with you,” he told her, squeezing her hip.

  Noelle lifted her head and smiled. “We just made love last night. Twice.”

  “But I have never made love to my wife,” he explained seriously. “It will be a first for me and you to make love as husband and wife.”

  “Wife. I like the sound of that. Okay. I have the next three days off.” Noelle’s smile was wide. “I hired a part-time girl, and Quinn can’t wait to be the boss for a few days.”

  Chance chuckled. He got along well with Quinn now that Quinn was assured he loved Noelle and planned to never leave her again.

  His smile disappeared, and he looked a little nervous. “This might not be the right moment for this question. I know losing the baby still hurts, but do you think we can start trying? I want a family, Noelle. Maybe a daughter with your pretty hazel eyes.”

  Noelle felt the pull to her heart. She would always grieve, but she had to keep looking ahead and not behind her. Some days were harder than others, but she had support now. She was surrounded by love that was always there, but she had been so consumed with grief she had not noticed.

  “I think I am ready for that,” she assured him. “I can throw my pills away tonight.”

  He twirled her in a circle making her laugh. She looked over at their friends, who were whistling and cheering. Her heart felt ready to explode with happiness. She could face whatever troubles she encountered as long as she knew Chance would always be by her side. She was done hiding from hardships. Life wasn’t fair at times, but that made her want to appreciate every second of the good times.

  Once her feet were back on the ground she kissed her husband with all the passion she was feeling. Their tongues did their own mating dance. She was dazed when they came up for air. “Let’s get this party started, husband.”

  He grabbed her hand and led her to their friends to say their good-byes. They waved good-bye and headed home hand in hand. She was on the right path in her life, with a husband who made her happy. She would never take the good times for granted.

  THE END

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I have always loved reading, especially romances. I believe in a happy ending and that love does indeed conquer all. Now I love writing romance stories just as much. When not writing I spend my time with family and friends. I enjoy hearing from my fans and can look me up on Facebook.

  For all titles by Lee Rose, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/lee-rose

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

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