Snowed in with the Doctor Read online

  Justin grinned, draping his arms on her shoulders. “Only if the answer is yes.”

  Lora shook her head, unable to stop a smile of her own. “You have to ask it first.”

  “Let’s try an experiment instead.”

  “An experiment?”

  “Yes. Let’s plan a wedding and see who shows up.”

  She shook her head again. “No, now stop stalling and ask me.”

  “Okay.” Justin took a deep breath, and his eyes darkened with emotion. “Will you marr—”

  “Yes.”

  He laughed. “You didn’t let me finish the question.”

  Lora wiggled her brows. “What matters more, the question or the answer?”

  “Neither.” He drew her close and held her as if she were the most precious thing to him. “I don’t care about being right or wrong, getting accolades or applause. All that matters to me is you.”

  Lora sunk into the pleasure of his strong embrace. She felt an indescribable happiness, but this time the feeling didn’t frighten her. She welcomed it and the years they’d have together.

  “I was thinking of a holiday wedding,” Justin said.

  Lora drew away and stared up at him. “But that’s only five months away.”

  “Then we’d better get started. It’s my favorite time of year.”

  * * *

  When Lora told her sister she was getting married she was beside herself with excitement. Although Belinda had been married before and the marriage hadn’t lasted, she loved weddings. What she liked most was planning weddings, so she took charge but worked closely with Justin’s sisters. Maureen took care of the cake and hiring the catering company. Sarah volunteered to find a great DJ for the reception. Ann was recruited to help make hotel arrangements for out-of-town guests, and Belinda was left the main part of choosing the location, ordering the invitations, selecting the colors for the wedding and going shopping with Lora for her wedding dress.

  “I know this may sound funny,” she said, helping Lora pick her dress, “and I know I’ve been a bride, but I’ve always wanted to be a bridesmaid. Now, thanks to you, I get to be one.” Their mother had come along with them because she wanted to be there when Lora selected her gown.

  After two hours and visiting three bridal stores, Lora finally decided on a waisted wedding gown with a high lace collar and beaded bodice. Belinda couldn’t make up her mind what the bridesmaids should wear. However, after consulting with Carla and Sarah, who also were going to be bridesmaids, all three decided on a stylish two-piece white satin outfit. And of course, Monique and Jayla were the flower girls. They and Ariel, although she was not part of the wedding party, would wear a matching dress with a decorative flower headband and tiny gold earrings.

  A light snow fell the day of Justin and Lora’s wedding. They held the ceremony in a grand hall decorated both for the wedding and the holiday season. Once they were husband and wife, they moved to a reception hall and everyone started to party.

  “So, I finally get to dance at your wedding,” Oliver said to Justin as the two men stood to the side drinking champagne.

  “Yes. I never thought this day would come,” Justin replied.

  “You’re a lucky man. You’ve found yourself the right woman for you.”

  Anya came up to them. “We found her for you,” she said.

  Her husband shook his head. “My dear, you can’t take all the credit.”

  “Of course I can. It was our party that brought them together.”

  Justin kissed her on the cheek. “You’re right. I can never thank you enough.”

  She blushed. “Now, promise me you’ll take good care of my Lora.”

  “You know I will.”

  “And, let me know immediately when you plan on making me a godmother.”

  “Oh, Anya. They haven’t even gone on their honeymoon yet.”

  “The best place to start.”

  Oliver dragged her away as Anya tried to resist.

  Lora came up to Justin and stared at them, curious. “What’s going on with them? What are they arguing about?”

  He looked at his new bride. “Life’s possibilities.”

  Epilogue

  Two years later

  “Tired of sitting home alone on a Friday night? Do you sometimes wonder if Mr. Right will ever come? If you have, I’ve got the answer for you.”

  Lora sat on the couch and watched the TV infomercial with a smile of remembrance. Outside a soft snow fell on the new house she and Justin had moved into at the beginning of the year. A seven-foot tree stood in the corner, decorated with lights and ornaments and crowded with presents underneath. Garlands hung on the fireplace and around the railings. She now loved the holidays. She loved shopping for presents and spending time with friends and family. Last week they’d visited Carla and Griffin for dinner, and in a week they’d host both their families. There was still some contention between her father and Justin, but slowly the two men were starting to understand each other. Whenever they discussed current news, her father was relentless in his arguments, and Justin soon began to realize it was easier on everyone if he let him win, or avoided the discussion altogether.

  “What are you watching?” Justin asked, taking a seat next to Lora.

  “The ghost of Christmas past,” she said.

  He frowned, staring at the grinning woman on the screen holding up 30 Days to Romance. “You mean you actually fell for something like that?” Justin asked, looking at her.

  Lora nudged him with her elbow, then held up his hand to show him his wedding band. “Hey, don’t knock what you don’t know. She helped me get you.” Lora decided not to tell him that she still had the book, safely stored in the attic with other mementoes.

  Justin lowered his head to her stomach and spoke to the baby boy who was due in March. “Your mother still doesn’t know.”

  “Know what?”

  His gaze caught and held hers. “You didn’t need that book. The moment I set eyes on you, I was yours.” His mouth captured hers with the same power with which he’d captured her heart, reminding Lora of all the reasons why she loved the holidays. It was a time of hope, joy, generosity and, above all, love.

  * * * * *

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Kimani Romance story.

  You dream in vibrant hues! Harlequin Kimani Romance stories feature sophisticated, soulful and sensual African-American and multicultural heroes and heroines who develop fulfilling relationships as they lead lives full of drama, glamour and passion.

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  ISBN-13: 9781460322956

  SNOWED IN WITH THE DOCTOR

  Copyright © 2013 by Sade Odubiyi

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