Free A Promise Worth Honoring (Promises Collection) by Cyndi Faria Page A

anymore.”
    “I hope my messages convinced you differently.”
    With her throat nearly closed from tears, she swallowed. “They did, but how will we have money to travel? Neither of us have jobs. I have college debt.”
    “I sold all three of my fire trucks to my brother. With your mom’s help, I paid off your school loans.” He pulled out two one-way tickets to Bassin d'Arcachon. “I say we have about $100,000 to start a future together. Maybe we’ll pick out an engagement ring somewhere in France?”
    Her thoughts whirled and she pictured them with backpacks on bicycles, coursing along the winding back roads of Europe. They’d stay in hostels instead of fancy hotels, and tour the countryside together. She could barely take in all the changes. “Tickets… ring… France…”
     
    # # # #
     
    As if the stars held dreams of Garrett’s future, the world seemed brighter than he’d ever remembered. He gathered her trembling hand in his and went down on one knee. “I may not be sure where my path will lead, but I know wherever I am, I’ll want you there beside me. So, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, my partner, Maggie? Promise to love me forever?”
    A smile overtook her expression and tears sprinkled down her cheeks. “You know, Mr. Parker, some promises are worth honoring. And yes, I promise to love you forever. Longer…”
    He smiled inside and out, stood, and just as he leaned in to kiss his girl, fireworks exploded high in the air. Together, they raised their faces to gaze on the celebration in the sky. And, in the smoky aftereffects, Garrett swore an image of his father smiled upon him.

“ The gift of happiness belongs to those who unwrap it.”
    — Andrew Dunbar
     

Epilogue
    Three years later…
     
    From the shores of Bassin D’Arcachon , Garrett whipped a plastic disc toward Maggie, flipping his wrist so the plate arched above Red.
    Along with Red, his furry companions Phoebe, Duchess, and Butch barked, leaped into the salt-filled air, and fell back against the sandy shore.
    Maggie snatched the dis c, her solitaire catching the late morning sunlight, and laughed. “They almost got it that time.”
    His heart humbled and he accepted the simple pleasure bestowed upon him. He glanced to his right, where under the cover of a nylon tent, their daughter, Sarah, squealed and shook her sand-filled spoon into her bucket.
    “Daddy loves you, Princess…”
    Maggie joined his side and the dogs tore off toward the surf. Together, he and Maggie had created Red Velvet Doggy D aycare. Situated below their beachfront apartment adorned with an iconic fire hydrant logo, their business often cared for more than twenty dogs in a single day.
    Maggie slinked her arms around his waist. “And I love Daddy…”
    He cradled Maggie in his arms and twirled her around. “And Daddy loves Mommy.”
    Maggie’s lips covered his and stoked the fire within him until he lowered her to the blanket and slid beside her sun-kissed skin.
    “Satisfied, Mr. Parker?” Maggie winked and giggled.
    He curled her hair behind her ear. He knew his daughter was overdue for a nap, and normally, they closed the shop between noon and two. “Very…thanks to you. But to make sure, can you give me a half an hour?”
    She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I can do better than that. How about, give or take, eighty more years?”
    “Now that’s an offer worth honoring.”
     
     
    The End

Dear Reader:
    Thank you so much for reading A Promise Worth Honoring (Book 3 in the Promises Collection). Best friends that find happily ever after in each other’s embrace is such a beautiful dream. I’m so glad Garrett found what he’d been searching for in his best friend, Maggie.
     
    As always, knowing you spent time with two of my courageous characters as they faced their inner demons and learned trust their hearts desire, is what inspires me to keep writing these heart melting contemporary stories. Thank you so much for your