Read Online Reunion by Karen Kingsbury - Free Book Online Page B

course.” Ashley’s voice grew softer, more seductive. “How ‘bout tonight?”
    “Mmmm.” He kissed her until both of them were breathless. Then he gave her a gentle push. “Okay, come on. I can’t remember my name when you kiss me that way.”
    She grinned. “That’s the plan, Sam.”
    “Tell me about it.” He chuckled under his breath and felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn’t wait to marry her, to love her the way he’d longed to love her. A slow breath filled his lungs. His desire would have to wait. “I’m serious, Ash. It takes time to plan a wedding.”
    “My mom will help me.” Ashley angled herself sideways and leaned against him, taking in the view of the lake. “She’s great at planning weddings.”
    “So what’s the date?’
    “How ‘bout July?”
    Landon had the Saturdays throughout summer memorized. “July 5, 12, 19, or 26?”
    Ashley laughed. “You’ve been thinking about this, haven’t you?”
    “Of course.” His tone grew serious and he searched her eyes. “I want it to be everything you ever dreamed of, Ashley.”
    She thought for a moment. “Let’s have it July nineteenth; that way it won’t be too close to the Fourth.”
    “When should we tell your family?”
    “Let’s tell them tomorrow night!” Ashley glowed with the realization. “I forgot until now. Dad called and invited us for dinner. Kari and Brooke and their families will be there. It’ll be perfect.”
    “Cole’s going to be so excited.” Landon ran his fingers down the length of her arms, his cheek next to hers as they stared at the shimmering water. “I can’t believe it’s all really going to happen.” “Me either.”
    He savored the feel of her body against him, the way she leaned into him almost as if he alone could keep her safe, shelter 55
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    her, celebrate with her whatever the future held. A thought occurred to him, something that hadn’t hit him yet. Because of her HIV, they had agreed not to have more children, that Cole would be enough. But now… “I wanna have a dozen babies, okay, Ash?”
    Her answer took a long time. “Okay.”
    She was quiet, and he wondered if maybe she didn’t want children after all. But then he saw her cheeks. She was blinking, soft tears that fell despite the partial smile that played on her lips.”We can have children, Landon. Can you believe that? God is so good.”
    “Yes. Now if only it were July eighteenth.” He snuggled her again, the truth about the news finally feeling real. “It’s going to seem like forever.” “For both of us.” “And Cole, too.’
    Ashley laughed. “He’ll ask us every day, ‘How many months, How many weeks and days and hours?’”
    A jet passed overhead, and the honk of Canadian geese sounded in the distance. “I love you, Ashley Baxter.” He turned so he could see her eyes again. “I didn’t need this news to love you, But now.., now look at what tomorrow holds.”
    Ashley looked straight to the deepest part of his soul. “Landon in the painting that is our lives, all we’ve been through to this point is only the backdrop. Today—” she sucked in breath—”this moment.., is the first stroke, the beginning of the most beautiful picture. A picture even I can’t imagine.”
    She kissed him once more. Landon savored it because this it wasn’t the kiss of longing and passion but of a love both
    A love that would see them through a lifetime of highs and lows, the way Hank’s love had seen Irvel through,
    her dying day.
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    Elizabeth usually took quick showers. Just long enough to shampoo her hair, wash up, and shave her legs. The time, her mind would race in a dozen different directions.
    Cole was coming for the afternoon, how late John had to work, which errands had to be run, and what she’d cook for dinner.
    this was late Sunday afternoon, and dinner was already in a Crock-Pot downstairs. John was in his study, working on patient files, and in two hours her family would