Protecting His Windflower (A Spirit Hunters Series Novel Book 1) by Temperance Dawn (best black authors .txt) 📕

You still gonna sit there and say you didn’t shit your pants after a goddamn shadow figure peaked its head around the corner then slammed that prison cell door on our second investigation?”

“Come on, Trey, you can tell us the truth. We won’t judge,” Lexi said while taking a sip of her drink.

“I did not shit my pants.” Grumbles followed before he went on to say, “However! However, I did piss myself a little.”

“I knew it!” Luke said while slamming his hand down on the table.

“You pissed yourself a lot, didn’t you?” Liam asked.

“Yep,” Trey admitted, still laughing and nodding his head. “Yeah, I pissed my pants.”

After a couple of minutes, when everyone had composed themselves, Liam put his arm around Emily and pulled her close to him. “Listen, other than the fact that Emily and I love you guys and your all family to us and we missed you and wanted to share a meal with you, we asked you guys to meet us here because we have something we want to tell you.”

Silence ensued amongst everyone. Liam took in the look on his friends’ faces, then turned and said, “I asked Emily to marry me.”

“Oh my god!” Lexi shouted, slamming both palms to her face.

After a beat, Emily ended the suspense. “I said…yes!”

An eruption of cheers and congratulations followed. Everyone hugged each other. There were tears of happiness and squealing from both women. Even the other patrons dining around them cheered along with them as they heard the good news. Their waitress had even brought over another round of drinks for them. “On the house, you guys. Congratulations!” She smiled at everyone as she set the drinks down.

“When’s the big day?” Was the next round of questions.

“We don’t know yet. We don’t want to wait too long.” Emily wiped happy tears from her eyes.

“Yeah,” Liam continued, “I think we’ve waited long enough. As soon as we find a venue, we’re booking the first date they have available.”

“How about the winery?”

Emily turned to her friend. “The winery does weddings?”

“Yes. Of course, they do. And guess who is in charge of all the bookings? And the vendors?” Lexi said in a sing-song voice.

Emily threw her hands to her face in excitement. “Are you serious?”

“Yes! Tell me a date, and if there aren’t any other events that day, I’ll put it on the books for you and get the contract drawn up.”

Emily looked at Liam, she smiled ear to ear. “We haven’t seen that particular winery yet.” The two of them had made their way around wine country, stopping and staying a night at different resorts, but had mostly stuck to the larger wineries. They hadn’t yet ventured into the hills where they knew some hidden gems were secretly nestled away.

“I’m sure it will be perfect. I trust Lexi’s judgment. If she thinks it will be a perfect place for our wedding and you want to do it. Then let’s book it.”

“You guys,” Lexi cut in, “it’s beautiful. It’s in the hills and surrounded by trees. The grapevines are a few miles down the road at another location. The actual resort is so romantic. There’s a brook that runs around the property. It will make for the most beautiful photos. We have a list of preferred vendors I can give you, so you don’t have to shop around for florists or caterers unless you want to. But I’ve been reading up on the vendors we work with and have met a few of them, and they are really great. Plus, there are a ton of suites on the property, so you guys can stay the night of the wedding before you head off on your honeymoon.”

“October?” Emily asked abruptly.

“October is perfect,” Lexi said. “And oh my god. Emily, the trees will be changing colors. It’s perfect!”

“October it is,” Liam agreed.

“We’re getting married!” Emily squealed.

Liam looked around the table where they all sat in the corner of the restaurant. In a few short months, Emily had gone from being essentially alone to moving to a new city, facing demons, and learning about who she was in a past life. He admired her courage and strength and couldn’t be more proud of her. And he made sure he told her that every day.

Liam still had days where he couldn’t believe he had found the woman who had haunted his dreams for years. And he fell in love with her. Again. Now, instead of the two of them dreaming about the other, they were together. And there was going to be a wedding. He was going to marry his true love. The thought made his chest burst even more. Every time he looked at Emily, she took his breath away. And now, she was going to be his wife.

His team’s business was busier than ever. He made a mental note to block off time at the end of August and most of September so he could be around more to help with the wedding planning if needed. Lexi was a godsend, and he pretty much considered her his sister-in-law now.

They would also be remodeling their new headquarters and home. They had talked about moving to an actual house outside of the city and had decided that they would get through the remodeling first before they started looking. That way, the flat would be all ready for a renter whenever they wanted to move.

He hadn’t told Emily yet, but he really couldn’t wait to start filling that flat with babies. They had talked about a family and agreed that after the wedding they would start trying. But he had to admit, he would be ecstatic if Emily happened to end up pregnant sooner rather than later.

Liam’s parents were overjoyed when they called to tell them the news of their engagement. Liam’s mom cried and couldn’t stop telling them how happy she was. She was also already in constant contact with Emily every day. The two of them sent pictures from Pinterest back and forth to