Hearts Surrender Read online

  Picking up the thread of their conversation, Kiara continued. “I still can’t believe they did this for us. I mean, all expenses paid? For a week? In the Caribbean?”

  “Quite the honeymoon,” Ken remarked huskily, his voice rough and sexy. When he nibbled on her neck, and shoulders, his warm breath gliding against her skin, Kiara went so brainless she nearly forgot what in the world they were talking about…

  She murmured, through shivers, “All Daveny said is, ‘I never had a sister, ’til I had you. You’re my family. We just want you to enjoy it.’ I think we’re fulfilling our part of the bargain.”

  Ken just laughed at that woeful understatement, continuing his nuzzling explorations. At present, he focused on her jaw. Next came the ticklish underside of her chin. Kiara closed her eyes, lifted to him, and sighed with delight.

  “I’d have to agree with that assessment,” he finally murmured.

  They kissed once more and his flavor filled her; his textures and tastes blended with her own, becoming a whole unit—a spirit of one. Never had she experienced such pure and undiluted happiness.

  Sliding way, Ken exclaimed, “Uh-oh…I almost forgot. I have a final wedding gift for my bride.”

  His bride. His. She’d never tire of that moniker. Kiara smiled with expectation, drawing the pale blue cotton sheet against her body as she sat up, and watched him root through his suitcase. From within he pulled out a small, soft-sided package wrapped in white and gold complete with a frilly wedding-esque bow. When he slipped back into bed and handed her the gift, Kiara just looked at him, knowing her happiness telegraphed straight through from her heart, to her eyes, to him. She nibbled on her lower lip, hiding an inner bout of laughter—because she had one last secret gift for him stashed away in her luggage as well.

  Tearing into the wrapping, giving an appropriate ‘Oooh’ and ‘Ahhh’ to the packaging, she stopped short, silent and stunned when she saw what resided within the folds of paper.

  It was a six pack of handkerchiefs, complete with monogram: KAJL

  Kiara gaped, covering her trembling mouth. Obviously puzzled, Ken watched her. In confusion, he started to reach out, seeming to want to question her reaction, and perhaps reassure—but Kiara dashed out of bed before he could take hold of her hand, or get a word out. She tossed on a satin robe that was part of her wedding trousseau and made for her suitcase, moving fast to pull out a wrapped gift of her own that featured a small note card on top that was addressed to Ken.

  Her husband.

  The reality still caused her lips to tremble, her eyes to fill…

  Wordless, she offered it to him—a smaller, soft-sided package quite similar to his.

  Ken already smiled, pulling on her hand until she was back in bed with him. He sat up and propped his back against the headboard, watching her with teasing suspicion. “Is this what I think it is?”

  Kiara couldn’t hazard a reply. Her heart was too full, her throat too tight. A haze of tears blurred his image, but never, ever eradicated it completely. First, he opened and read the card. Then, his eyes went to smoke and silk, all things attractively, protectively, lovingly male… Message read, he looked into her eyes; she was sure they sparkled with tears, and he simply nodded his agreement to the words she had inscribed within.

  ‘Ken—my heart is yours. In happiness and in tears. All my love always—Kiara’

  He pulled off wrapping paper, adding it to the pile that now decorated their puffy, down comforter of pale green. His smile spread fast and strong at what he found. “How appropriate,” he murmured, watching Kiara slide a fingertip quickly beneath her eyes. Inside rested three handkerchiefs, complete with monogram: KJL

  “I finally remembered to return them,” she whispered, moved and overcome.

  “So,” Ken said, lifting up the one on top and holding it out to her. “Yours or mine?”

  Kiara moved close and wrapped herself around him contentedly. In decision, she chose the top one from the package that had come from Ken—then accepted the one he offered as well—the one of his which she had just returned. “How about both?”

  Ken laughed, and held her tight. “Sounds perfect to me, angel. Just perfect.”

  Be sure to look for the next books in the Woodland Church Series, Coming Soon!

  Hearts Communion, Book 3

  Jeremy “JB” Edwards dreams of one thing: Having a loving wife and children of his own. Not a surprising ambition, since he was raised at the heart of a large, tight-knit family.

  Monica Kittelski spends her days at Sunny Horizons Daycare Center pouring her heart and faith into other people’s children. But Monica harbors one impossible dream: Having children of her own someday.

  JB and Monica seem the perfect match, but what will come of their electric, sassy relationship when Jeremy learns of Monica's infertility?

  Hopes and reality collide when they must confront the idea of finding God's plan and following His will when a dearest hope is destined to remain unfulfilled.

  Can these two loving, passionate hearts survive a communion of dreams and reality?

  Hearts Key, Book 4

  A chorus of faith sung in the key of second chances.

  Life hasn't been as kind to Amy Maxwell. Once, the effervescent leader of the pack, her marriage should have been perfect. Instead, she escaped with nothing but the clothes on her back and her daughter, Pyper.

  Tyler Brock is dazzling. The once shy teen has evolved into a powerhouse in Christian music, and when he returns to Woodland for a benefit concert, Amy can’t believe he is as faithful and tender as ever. He even manages to touch the heart of a doubtful Pyper.

  But, Amy can’t escape her own self-doubt, and she questions the wisdom of her heart when it comes to the charismatic musician who is so different now, yet so much the same.

  Can the key to their hearts unlock a lifetime of love?

  Haven’t read the story that started it all?

  Be sure to pick up Hearts Crossing,

  available now in electronic formats

  “How do you feel about God, Collin?”

  “I don’t.”

  Collin Edwards, a former

  parishioner at Woodland Church of Christ, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.

  Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God and the community of Woodland. But lately she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.

  A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists—but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better.

  Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.

  Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?

  Thank you for purchasing this White Rose Publishing title. For other inspirational stories of romance, please visit our on-line bookstore at www.whiterosepublishing.com.

  For questions or more information contact us at [email protected].

  White Rose Publishing

  Where Faith is the Cornerstone of Love™

  www.WhiteRosePublishing.com

  May God’s glory shine through

  this inspirational work of fiction.

  AMDG