Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
I recalled the day I first saw him. Larger-than-life, he filled the doorway of the living room, looking like a giant to me. Strong, vibrant, confident. Yet his voice was gentle, his eyes kind, and he made me feel as if he saw me. Not the boy with the crutches who felt sad and tired all the time, but the boy I used to be. The one who loved to play and laugh. Build Lego structures and run in the backyard. He didn’t pity me but asked me questions. Listened to my responses.
Became my best friend, big brother, and the father figure I so desperately wanted and needed.
Ronan Callaghan and his big, crazy, blended family changed our lives.
His love and dedication changed my world.
Because of him and his father, Aiden, I could now walk. Run. Jump over rocks. It took a long time, a great deal of patience, and months of tears, struggle, and pain, but the day I was able to walk without aids was one of the greatest days in my life. I hadn’t stopped since then. I pushed and pushed until I could walk a mile. Then two. Slowly, I began to jog. Jogging became running. Marathons. I never wanted to lose the feeling of being able to use my legs again. It was a gift I was given that I would never take for granted.
When it was time to choose my career, there was one clear path.
I decided to become a physiotherapist. If I could help just one person the way Aiden and Ronan helped me, I would be satisfied. I immersed myself at school, the kinesiology courses absorbing and fulfilling. I already had a head start, having hung with Aiden so much, and I graduated with honors. We sat for hours talking about methods, approaches, other therapies aside from Western medicine. My favorite part of school was when I was able to have time in the clinic using the skills I was taught to treat patients. I loved the hands-on aspect and soaking up the wisdom of the more knowledgeable therapists as they shared their experiences and helped me to grow as one.
The sound of footsteps on the rocks made me look up. From around the bend, Jenny appeared, her red hair catching the bright sun that was now filling the sky. Tall and willowy, she was graceful as she picked her way carefully toward me, taking the hand I stretched out in welcome and letting me tug her to me.
She laughed as I pulled her onto my lap and kissed her.
“What are you doing here, Jenny? Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see his bride on their wedding day?”
She snorted, rolling her pretty eyes. “You know that’s a bunch of BS. Seriously, when have we ever stuck with tradition?”
I laughed, tightening my grip on her. “Good point.”
“Besides, I missed you last night. I can’t start my day without Evan kisses.”
I slipped my fingers under her chin, fanning them out along her cheek. “Well, heaven forbid, I not give you what you want.” Then I covered her mouth with mine, kissing my future wife. She sighed the way she always did when I kissed her, opening for me, her cinnamon-scented breath filling my mouth. Our tongues slid together languidly, connecting us on an intimate level. I pulled her tighter, the emotion surging through me as it always did when she was close.
I eased back, holding her to my chest. “Excited?” I asked.
“Hmm.”
“Nervous?”
“You plan on pulling a Forrest Gump on me and running?”
I chuckled and kissed her head. “Nope. I’m looking forward to our wedding. To being your husband.” I tilted up her chin and kissed her mouth again. “Never having to be apart from you again.”
Her eyes danced in the sunlight. “Me too. The apart thing. I’ll play the wife.”
“Hmm. My wife.”
She sighed happily. “Your wife. My husband.”
She snuggled into my arms. “I can’t stay long. The women have a whole day of torture planned.”
I chuckled. Jenny wasn’t much for makeup, fussing, or dressing up. She wore her long red hair in a ponytail most of the time, preferred jeans and sneakers to dresses and heels, and her idea of getting “fancy” was a swipe of lip gloss, some mascara, and a clean shirt.
I loved that about her.
“Let them have their fun. Just wipe off the excess so I recognize you.”
She laughed, playing with the edge of my sleeve. “My dress is pretty, though.”
“Good. You’ll be beautiful.”
From above us on the bluff, I heard Beth’s voice calling. “I know you two are down there, hiding. Jenny, it’s time to get ready, and Evan, Ronan is looking for you.”
“Do you think if we stay quiet, she’ll go away?” Jenny asked, looking mischievous.
“I can hear you!” Beth laughed. “The acoustics are great right here.”
Jenny looked at me, panicked, no doubt thinking of all the times we came here to make out and talk. I shook my head. “She can’t hear the words, just the sound,” I assured her. “And you have to know we’re here.”