Finally & Forever (23 page)

“Cut my hair?”

“Yeah, I was going to tell you that whoever cut it for you in the village really butchered it. I think you should let me cut it next time. I’ll do a much better job.”

“Okay, I can agree to that. Any other negotiating points before we settle the deal?”

“I was thinking about our kids the other day. I’d like at least two. Maybe four. No more than four though. We never talked about that. I don’t want only one child, if we can help it. I mean, I know it’s ultimately up to God.”

“Agreed. Anything else to haggle over?”

“Nope. I’m good. Oh, wait. I don’t want to live with your parents. I mean, I love them and everything, but …”

“Already worked that one out. As a matter of fact, I’m moving into Upper Nine this week.”

Katie raised her eyebrows. “Really? What else did you work out?”

“This.” Eli reached into his backpack and pulled out a flare gun. He pointed it toward the canopy of celestial observers and shot the single burst of flaming light into the night sky.

In the distance, like a faint rumble, Katie thought she heard a cheer. “Is that from everybody at Brockhurst? Your candle crew?”

“Yup. They’re cheering for us. I told them I’d send up a flare if you said yes.”

“If
I said yes? Did you have any doubt?”

“No.”

“But what if I did say no? Then what would you have done?”

“I had another signal ready for them to release the wild monkeys.”

Katie laughed, her chin up, her hand tucked into Eli’s rugged grip. When she looked at him, Eli was staring at her. His intense gaze no longer unnerved her.

Katie met his deep stare with an equally focused look from an unveiled heart. A slow grin rose on his face.

“You’re going to kiss me now, aren’t you?” Katie asked.

“Yes, I am.”

She leaned closer, murmuring under her breath, “Finally.”

Their lips met, and for one exceptional, lingering moment they expressed to each other their fervent affection and reverent hope for what was yet to come.

Drawing back slowly, Eli spoke a benediction over them as the African stars leaned low, the ancient moon sighed, and the meteor shower sent off its fireworks. It was the word Katie had long waited to hear, and as Eli spoke it, she knew then that their hearts were knit together.

“Forever.”

Acknowledgments

With special thanks to Lexie Anders for suggesting the title of this book
.

Robin Jones Gunn
is the much-loved author of
Peculiar Treasures, On a Whim, Coming Attractions, Finally & Forever
, and the Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, College Years, Glenbrooke, and Sisterchicks® series, with over 4 million books sold worldwide. Robin loves to travel and often speaks locally and internationally. She and her husband live in Hawaii. Visit Robin at robingunn.com

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

Also by Robin Jones Gunn:

Katie Weldon Series

Peculiar Treasures

On a Whim

Coming Attractions

Christy Miller Series

Sierra Jensen Series

Christy & Todd: The College Years

www.robinjonesgunn.com

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Finally & Forever
Copyright © 2012 by Robin’s Nest Productions, Inc.

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