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  “Are you ready?”

  “She’s ready.”

  “With all due respect, I wasn’t asking you. I was asking my patient. She’s my primary focus right now, and while I care about the family, I have to make sure she’s comfortable.”

  I laughed. “I’m ready.”

  “Are you in college?”

  “Yes, I start nursing school in the fall.”

  “What school?”

  She sighed, unlocking the bed. “Dallas University.”

  He handed her a card. “Call my office and speak to Greta. Mitchell Enterprises has just awarded you your first semester of tuition and books. If you keep the grades up, it could be a full scholarship.”

  She gaped at him with her mouth forming a perfect O. Garrett grabbed my things, which were secured in a white plastic personal belongings bag.

  “Well, come on, Trixie—what’s the hold up? I thought you wanted to give Ms. Sheridan top-notch care,” Garrett said with a smirk.

  I laughed. “Don’t mind him—he’s all bark.”

  Epilogue

  The day couldn’t have been more perfect.

  Garrett and I stood with our families surrounding us on the shore outside the La Amory resort.

  St. Thomas…

  Where we shared our first kiss.

  Where there was no turning back.

  Where lies met truth.

  Where I found love and my happily ever after.

  I hadn’t wanted Garrett to see me before the ceremony, and when I walked down the aisle amidst the white wooden chairs lined up on the beach, his expression was something I’d never forget.

  I’d never seen Garrett cry—not that I’d ever wanted to; seeing him like that would bring me to my knees. But, the moment he saw me, he grinned wide, and I saw the mist in his eyes. They raked over the plunging sweetheart neckline of the light champagne lace and chiffon gown that hugged my body like an hourglass.

  He looked stunning wearing a black tux with a black bow tie, and he was completely mine.

  Mom dabbed the corners of her eyes with a tissue, and Greta gently patted her hand as my dad gave me over to Garrett.

  His hand held mine tightly. “Almost Mrs. Mitchell. Almost all mine.”

  The pastor cleared his throat, smiling, and recited a few verses and prayers before announcing, “At this time, the bride and groom have elected to recite their own vows.”

  I went first. “On this day, I give you my heart. I promise to love you, be patient with you, and hold and honor you. On this day, I give you my sincere promise to love you every day of the rest of my life. I can’t promise it will be easy. I can’t promise to always be perfect, but I can promise to love you and only you—always.”

  A small tear caught in his lashes, and one rolled through mine onto my cheek as he began.

  “You’re perfect in every way. You taught me to love, taught me to be me, taught me to be patient. I promise to always be faithful, honest, and trusting. I promise to stand by you, respect you, and cook for you.”

  I pulled in my lips to keep from laughing aloud along with our family members. He squeezed my hands tighter and rubbed his thumbs along my skin.

  The pastor stepped forward to finish, but I intervened, “Hold on, I have more. I feel like everything in my life led me to you—even the bad choices. The things that brought us together weren’t necessarily the best circumstances, but since those decisions led you to me and me to you, I’m forever grateful. If any one thing had been different, we might not be standing here today as one. I love you, Garrett.”

  “I love you, Brooke.”

  The pastor cleared his throat once more. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  He pulled me into his arms and kissed me like only he could. “Finally.” He let out a sigh against my mouth.

  The reception and partying lasted a few hours inside a small elegant room whose windows and large terrace faced the tropical waters. Inside, bright flowers adorned each table as music played.

  “I have a surprise for you,” Garrett whispered in my ear as we danced our first dance.

  “I have one for you too.”

  “You first.”

  “I’m not wearing a thing underneath this dress.”

  His eyes darkened, and his fingertips trailed down the open back of the gown.

  “I think I like your surprise better.”

  “Let me be the judge of that. What’s yours?”

  “I want to witness your surprise as soon as this song is over.” He smiled.

  “Tell me what your surprise is.” I stopped moving my feet.

  He smiled a playful grin. “The island…I bought it, but instead of having to build a shelter, I had a house built. Greta and your mother helped with decorations since I figured you wouldn’t like masculine décor.”

  What?

  I lit up in pure disbelief, reeling with happiness.

  “We’re going to the island for our honeymoon?”

  “Is that okay with you?”

  “Are you kidding? It’s better than okay! Oh…my…God—you actually bought it? We’ll have full access any time we want?”

  “Any time we want, with an unlimited supply of razors.”

  Flashbacks of the lagoon swept through my mind, and my body sizzled.

  “Are you flying us?”

  “Yes, but I promise to get us there in one piece, baby. My personal engine inspector has checked out the plane and gave it a full endorsement.”

  I circled my arms around his neck. “I love you so much. This is the best present ever.”

  “I love you more than life. You’re my favorite present of all time, Brooke.”

  “Forever.” I pressed my mouth against his.

  “Forever,” he said back before kissing me. “Now let’s get the hell out of here and start our honeymoon.”

  I’d found my brand of wicked true love when I wasn’t even looking. In the lies and deception, fate had brought us together, and I smiled through the happy, happy tears as my husband wrapped me in his arms and circled me around and around the dance floor.

  Acknowledgments

  This book came to life with the help of so many people.

  First and foremost, Mr. James who loves me unconditionally and believes in me. Thank you for being my biggest supporter and making me laugh when I was having a much too serious moment; for pushing me when I needed the little extra push...and never once complaining about ‘easy-meals’ or take-out, not to mention taking on the chore himself when he knew I was up to my eyeballs. I could not have done this without you.

  Thank you Tarina and Elizabeth for helping give my story wings early one with beta reading. I loved your suggestions, opinions, and your feedback at the last minute.

  Thank you to the girls in our “Bitches” group: Taylor, Anna, Mika, Kishan, Nikki, Kate. Thank you for your guidance, support and always being there when I need you. You ladies are the best!

  And then there’s my girls in my family. Thank you for constantly cheering me on, the technical support since I shamelessly don’t know beans about it, LOL and your creativity with fantastic SWAG.

  Thank you to all the bloggers for pimping, supporting, and spreading the word about my book! You mean so much to me!

  Thank you Editing by C. Marie for your professional editing and your amazing talent! I love what you do with words! Thank you for polishing up Garrett and Brooke’s story and helping my novel shine!

  Thank you TBR Editing & Design for your proofreading amazingness. I will forever be grateful for your eagle eye!

  Thank you Taylor Sullivan with Imagination Uncovered for my favorite cover of all time...it blew me away! Thank you for all the late-night messages, not only about the cover design but also the support and encouragement!

  Thank you Abby Formatting and Web Design for formatting and making it look so pretty!

  And to my readers. Thank you for purchasing my books, the kind messages and putting a smile on my face. Thank you for dropping b
y my table at book signings for a picture or for me to sign a book or swag for you. I can’t even begin to tell you how much you mean to me.

  For more information:

  Kathryn James resides in a southern small town with her husband and a very sweet and spoiled poodle named Macy. Being a hopeless romantic, she loves to read and write about bad-boy sexy alpha males and strong heroines. A lover of the beach, she sinks her toes in the sand as often as possible deeming it the perfect place to hang-out, relax and write. Some of her favorite scenes have come together with the help of the sound of the ocean.

  When she’s not enjoying her family or glued to her laptop, she’s usually in her sewing room where she has an unspeakable amount of fabric.

  She loves to hear from her readers and would love to hear from YOU! Come by her website or any social media link to find out all the latest happenings!

  Stay in Touch:

  Website

  https://www.kathrynljames.com/

  Facebook

  https://www.facebook.com/kathrynjames.author

  Goodreads

  https://www.goodreads.com/KathrynLJames

  Other Books by Kathryn L. James

  Crazy Beautiful Lies

  Crazy Beautiful Kiss (short in Anthology, A Story of a Kiss), re-release as novella TBA

  Chasing Wicked (The Mitchell Brothers, #1)

  Finding Wicked (The Mitchell Brothers, #2)

  Keeping Wicked (The Mitchell Brothers, TBA)

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  For more information: