out.
He’d made his wishes known that he wanted her to stay with him, but she hadn’t given her agreement yet. A move across the country. Looking for a new job. A major life change. Moving away from my family. Do I have the courage to take this leap of faith?
She walked through the great room, the awe of his house still hitting her days later. Two-story vaulted ceilings with a wall of windows that overlooked the water and woods. Exposed wooden beams, hardwood floors, and a stone fireplace. A dream kitchen and dining room big enough to hold family and friends. The living room with oversized, deep-cushioned sofas.
She moved to the coffee machine and made a quick cup, fixing it just the way she liked. Holding the steaming mug in her hand, she slipped through the sliding glass door out onto the deck. Fog had rolled in during the night, the low clouds clinging to the earth, obscuring her view. The air was fresh and clean, the sweet scent of pine and tangy seawater filling her senses. She closed her eyes and recalled the view of the mountains in the distance from her rental house in Las Cruces. She loved the view of the mountains but had to admit she didn’t miss her little house with its gravel yard. A neighbor was taking care of Melon, and it struck her that Melon would love to lounge in Cobb’s massive living room where the sun could create numerous cat sunspots to discover.
She opened her eyes and took a sip of the hot coffee, seeing snatches of brighter sunlight as the fog began to lift, the mist now only clinging to the treetops and the water in the distance. Naomi’s quote came back to her, and she gasped with enlightenment. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists as it surely will. Then act with courage.
She was struck with the peace of knowing Jorge’s place felt like home.
The sound of the sliding glass door opened behind her, but she didn’t need to turn around to know he was approaching. It only took a few seconds for his arms to lean against the rail on either side of her, his front to her back, his chin resting on the top of her head, enveloping her with his presence, his protection, his love. Closing her eyes again, she smiled as she stared out at the beauty of nature in front of her, feeling the beauty of the man behind her.
Setting her mug on the railing, she turned in his arms so that she was facing him, her palms resting on his chest, the feel of his heartbeat under her fingertips. He looked down, his brows lowered in question but quiet as usual to give her a chance to gather her thoughts and speak.
Not making him wait, she said, “If you’ll have me, I choose you. I choose this place.”
She watched as the smile spread across his handsome face before he threw his head back in laughter, the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.
His arms squeezed tighter as he dipped his mouth to hers. “Oh, yeah, Josie, babe… I’m in love with you.”
“Yeah?” she breathed.
He kissed her deeply before holding her gaze again. “Yeah.”
“Since when?”
A chuckle erupted from low in his chest. “I think I started falling when I saw you in a shimmery dress standing under a Triceratops.”
Now, she threw her head back in laughter, and his arms banded tighter as he lifted her off the deck, twirling her in his arms. As she looked around, she observed the mist had completely lifted and the sun poured down on them.
Two Months later
“Melon, please get out from under my feet. You’ve been fed!” Josie tried to move around her cat, much to the amusement of Helena and Sara, who were setting out platters of food on the kitchen counter. Josie and Melon had moved to Maine two weeks ago, and her cat was still getting used to the transition. Just as she assumed, the large feline loved the space and sunlight, finding numerous places to sleep.
“Do you want me to set the wine here?” Julie asked as she and Sylvie were pulling wine bottles from the refrigerator and bags.
“Hell, let’s be honest. Anywhere is fine for wine!” Babs quipped, walking into the room with Drew trailing behind, carrying more bags. “Flyboy, we’ll put the tubs of beer on the deck, and the guys won’t need glasses.”
Nora, Christina, and Claire walked into the room with more bags. Josie’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “How much food do we need?”
Nora laughed and patted her arm. “Don’t worry. We’ve learned that it takes a lot of food to feed our Keepers.”
“How’s the job hunting going?” Julie asked. “I didn’t have any trouble finding a teaching job here, and I can’t imagine you will, either.”
“You know social work. There’s always a need out there, but Jorge is encouraging me to take my time and not rush into anything. I think he really wants me to get used to being here, and maybe there’s a part of him that’s terrified I’m going to regret my decision to move.” She saw the immediately raised brows from the other women and shook her head. Laughing, she assured, “Don’t worry. I knew exactly what I was doing when I moved here. It was time for a life change, and I think perhaps I just needed a purpose to make that change.”
Soon, the house and deck were filled with good food and drinks, good friends and camaraderie, laughter, and conversation. Nestled in Jorge’s lap with her head on his shoulder, the sounds of the party settled into the background as she stared out over the glistening water framed by the woods. Be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, go forward with courage.
Turning, she held Jorge’s warm gaze and smiled. “There’s no doubt… I love you.” His smile met hers just before she closed the distance, kissing him lightly, her heart full.
Don’t miss the next Lighthouse book… Bray’s story!
Bray
And I have a surprise! My new book, Home to Stay is a Lighthouse Security Investigation crossover… meet the newest LSI Keeper!
Home to Stay
Also by Maryann Jordan
Don’t miss other Maryann Jordan books!
Lots more Baytown stories to enjoy and more to come!
Baytown Boys (small town, military romantic suspense)
Coming Home
Just One More Chance
Clues of the Heart
Finding Peace
Picking Up the Pieces
Sunset Flames
Waiting for Sunrise
Hear My Heart
Guarding Your Heart
Sweet Rose
Our Time
Count On Me
Shielding You
To Love Someone
Sea Glass Hearts
For all of Miss Ethel’s boys:
Heroes at Heart (Military Romance)
Zander
Rafe
Cael
Jaxon
Jayden
Asher
Zeke
Cas
Lighthouse Security Investigations
Mace
Rank
Walker
Drew
Blake
Tate
Levi
Clay
Cobb
Bray
Hope City (romantic suspense series co-developed
with Kris Michaels
Brock book 1
Sean book 2
Carter book 3
Brody book 4
Kyle book 5
Ryker book 6
Rory book 7
Killian book 8
Torin book 9
Saints Protection & Investigations
(an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)
Serial Love
Healing Love
Revealing Love
Seeing Love
Honor Love
Sacrifice Love
Protecting Love
Remember Love
Discover Love
Surviving Love
Celebrating Love
Searching Love
Follow the exciting spin-off series:
Alvarez Security (military romantic suspense)
Gabe
Tony
Vinny
Jobe
SEALs
Thin Ice (Sleeper SEAL)
SEAL Together (Silver SEAL)
Undercover Groom (Hot SEAL)
Also for a Hope City Crossover Novel / Hot SEAL…
A Forever Dad
Long Road Home
Military Romantic Suspense
Home to Stay (a Lighthouse Security Investigation crossover novel)
Letters From Home (military romance)
Class of Love
Freedom of Love
Bond of Love
The Love’s Series (detectives)
Love’s Taming
Love’s Tempting
Love’s Trusting
The Fairfield Series (small town detectives)
Emma’s Home
Laurie’s Time
Carol’s Image
Fireworks Over Fairfield
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
Website
About the Author
I am an avid reader of romance novels, often joking that I cut my teeth on the historical romances. I have been reading and reviewing for years. In 2013, I finally gave into the characters in my head, screaming for their story to be told. From these musings, my first novel, Emma’s Home, The Fairfield Series was born.
I was a high school counselor having worked in education for thirty years. I live in Virginia, having also lived in four states and two foreign countries. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for thirty-five years. When writing, my dog or one of my four cats can generally be found in the same room if not on my lap.
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
Website