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  “And, I called Lily. She’s already promised that her hubby and the grandkids are driving down from Jersey, no excuses. After the holidays, I’m prepared to map out our first boat trip for next year, just like we talked about.”

  “Good. That will be one more thing we can check off the list,” he said.

  “What kind of list are you referring to?”

  “A list of things we’d like to accomplish, big and small, it doesn’t matter,” he responded.

  “Jonathan, is this a bucket list?”

  “Not necessarily.”

  “Then what has you on such a tear lately?” she asked.

  “For one, I finally have a partner to do life with. That’s an excellent motivator if you ask me. I’m also approaching sixty-six soon. If I don’t start now checking things off the list, then when?”

  “You couldn’t be possibly worried about getting old? You usually blame me for worrying about that, not the other way around.”

  He reached his fork over, stealing a piece of salmon off her plate.

  “Worrying is not in my DNA …Mae. However, I do have plans to show you the world… so we can have the time of our lives together. That way when I finally do get old, they won’t be able to say I didn’t do it right.”

  In return, Mae reached over to sample some of his lobster bisque.

  “In that case I say we make a toast,” she said, holding up her glass.

  “To?”

  “To us. May we live, long, happy, healthy, and adventurous lives together, never missing an opportunity or having regrets.” She smiled, tapping his glass.

  “I like how that sounds. Come a little closer and give me some sugar.”

  Mae and Jonathan spent the rest of the evening dining, then sailing back to the marina, fully committed to living out the rest of their lives, planning and orchestrating their happily ever after.

  Clara climbed out of the jeep, stepping onto the sands of Chesapeake Beach in utter disbelief. She had been dying to know all day what he was planning for their special date, even setting aside her own ideas. Now that they were here, she was confused.

  “Mike, I’m all for being romantic, babe, but we have the most scenic views right behind the house on Solomons Island. Did you really drive forty-five minutes just to lie on Chesapeake Beach?

  “I beg your pardon? Are you trying to suggest that I don’t know what I’m doing?” He teased her wearing a smirk on his face.

  “No. Of course not. I just don’t want you to think you had to burn all that gas in order to have a romantic afternoon together. I love being with you no matter where we are.” She confessed.

  “And I love that about you. But don’t worry about it. Today we’re here for a specific reason,” he said, tugging on her jacket.

  “Do you recall the last time you visited Chesapeake Beach?” he asked.

  “Um, let’s see. It would have to be when I left New York. I planned a road trip to Chesapeake after hearing such wonderful things about the area. If only I knew back, then I would make Maryland my home. I can’t even say that it was a real vacation. I was too focused on getting away from my problems.”

  “Right. I figured that’s what you’d say. Well, I brought you here for a do-over.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Close your eyes. I have a surprise waiting for you. No peeking.”

  She immediately looked around, wondering what Mike could be up to. With the excitement of a little child, she squeezed her eyes shut, holding her hands in the praying position.

  “Mike, I can’t stand the suspense, hurry.”

  In the background, she could hear the neighing of a horse.

  “All right, you can turn around now.”

  Her hands covered her mouth as she watched a gentleman escorting two horses over to Mike.

  “We’re going horseback riding? I didn’t even know they did this sort of thing out here,” she said.

  “Yet another reason you needed a do-over.”

  “Ma’am, have you ever ridden a horse before?” the gentleman asked.

  “Yes, I used to ride all the time at a dude ranch where my sister and I went to summer camp. I’m sure it will all come back to me like second nature.”

  “Very well then. This is your horse. Her name is Lady, and Mr. Sanders, this here is Rocket. Don’t be alarmed by his name. He’s very obedient and will listen to your commands.”

  “Thank you. We have the horses for about an hour, correct?”

  “Yes, that’s right. My assistant and I will be nearby should you need anything, although with the riding skills you showed when you came for a test run, I think everyone is in excellent hands.”

  “Thank you,” Mike said, and then turned to Clara.

  “I didn’t have anything crazy in mind… perhaps a slow trot along the shore for a little while. What do you say?”

  Before he could wait for a response, Mike’s horse started moving after he spoke the word trot.

  Clara giggled.

  “I thought you said he had skills,” she said to the gentleman before taking off to catch up.

  “Easy, Rocket,” Mike said.

  The two caught up with one another trotting slowly along the beach. The day couldn’t be more perfect. The sound of seagulls and the ebb and flow of the waves was soothing. Even the horses appeared to be relaxed by it.

  “How many favors did you have to call in to arrange the horses?” she asked.

  “I have no idea what you 're talking about,” he said, exposing a dimple.

  “Mike, no one else is out here on a horse right now except for us.”

  He laughed.

  “Hey, a man never reveals his secrets. Besides, if I did, it would make it difficult for planning our future romantic outings.”

  “Future… I love the sound of that word as it pertains to us,” she said.

  “So do I. Hopefully, I scored an A for creativity on this one. I felt like you needed a fresh start. A chance to create new memories here. You can’t erase the events that brought you here… but you can create new memories that hopefully outweigh the dark ones.”

  She smiled.

  “You’re so thoughtful, Mike, and you 're totally right. I don’t have to live with my past forever. I can turn over a new leaf… starting here… starting now.”

  “You need to give yourself a lot more credit, Clara. You started turning over the leaf the moment you packed your bags and left. I’m just asking you to give yourself permission to be happy again, to live freely without worrying about what others will think, and to focus on creating the life you want. Hopefully… a life that will include me,” he said.

  “Whoa,” Clara said, stopping her horse.

  Mike stopped with her and waited for a response.

  “There’s been a lot of uncertainty in my life as of late, but the one thing I know for sure is I want you in my future,” she said.

  “Good. Let’s keep riding.” He began trotting again, leaving Clara slightly behind.

  Interesting, she thought, feeling intrigued by his somewhat mysterious behavior.

  “Do you recall what you did the last time you were here?” he asked.

  “I mainly camped out on the beach for hours, allowing my senses to get lost in the surroundings. I swear being out here is like medicine for the soul.”

  “I can’t argue with that. You ever think that almost eleven years later you’d be standing in the same place with a man you could potentially marry?”

  This time, Mike stopped his horse. Any plans for stalling until the end of the date didn’t seem right anymore. He was ready to carry out his plans.

  She contemplated his question while watching him dismount from his horse.

  “Clara, I’m not real good at holding out when I have something big to share. Do you remember when I gave you the necklace I said I had another surprise?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I think now is the perfect time to present you with my other gift.”


  He pulled a box out of his pocket and looked down at it for a moment.

  “I’ve been waiting a while to present this to you right here on this beach. Truthfully, I got so excited about you meeting my parents, I thought I’d switch up the plans and propose in Florida.” He chuckled.

  Clara laughed with him, realizing he’d probably been through quite an ordeal.

  “Now, I realize, none of that matters. I just want to be with you. I firmly believe when you’ve met the right person, you know it. No matter the time frame or the circumstances… you just know.”

  Mike reached out to Clara, helping her dismount from her horse. As she turned to face him, her hair flowed in the wind, her nose was pink, and her cheeks were stained with tears.

  “If I would’ve known this was going to be a tearjerker kind of day, I would’ve brought more tissues.” She teased.

  “Ha, well get ready then, cause I’m going in for the grand finale.”

  He bent down on one knee and opened the box, presenting a beautiful diamond ring.

  “Clara Covington… the day you backed into my car was the best day of my life. Unbeknownst to me, that was the day I met my lover and my friend. To be honest, our purpose for coming into each other’s lives had nothing to do with work. The job was just a vehicle for us to get to know one another. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you I was hooked, and that feeling has only grown stronger. I want to build a life with you… one that includes being there for you… even when life gets tough. I’m down on one knee because I hope you feel the same way, too. Will you marry me?”

  Clara smiled.

  “So, let me get this straight. You want to marry this crazy girl from New York, spending the rest of your life with her, despite the roller coaster ride you’ve been on ever since you met her?” she said, pointing to herself.

  “I’m all in… knee deep… ready to spend forever with you.”

  “Well, in that case my answer is yes,” she screamed from the top of her lungs.

  He placed the ring on her finger, then lifted her up, sealing the deal with several kisses.

  “You know what?” he asked, snuggling up close to embrace.

  “What?”

  “I think we have at least another forty-five minutes left to finish our romantic horseback ride. What do you think about riding off into the sunset with your fiancé?”

  “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.”

  On the drive home, Clara held out her hand, admiring her new ring.

  “You did a good job, I’m impressed,” she said.

  “Thanks. It looks beautiful on you.”

  “Everyone at Lighthouse Tours is going to be so surprised,” she said.

  Mike thought that was hysterical.

  “I’m not so sure about that. I can think of at least two people who already know.”

  “Really? Well, they sure did a good job of not telling me.”

  “That’s the whole idea, my love.”

  “Ha ha. Very funny. Do you think your parents will be happy to hear about the engagement?”

  “They’ll be through the roof and even more motivated than ever for us to get together,” he said.

  “All the more reason for us to jump on those tickets as soon as possible.”

  “Agreed.”

  She held out her hand for Mike to grab hold of.

  “I’m really excited about what the future holds, babe. Can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

  “That makes two of us. Love you,” he said.

  “I love you.”

  If you’d like to continue following the characters of Solomons Island, check out the “Also by” section!

  Also by Michele Gilcrest

  Click HERE to order your copy of book four in the series, Beachfront Christmas!

  * * *

  An island filled with the spirit of love and the joy of Christmas!

  * * *

  When Mike and Clara start a new holiday tradition to help save the island, all the characters of Solomons decide to join in. With holiday festivities in full swing, little does Mike know his business, Lighthouse Tours, may need a little help from the town in return.

  * * *

  While beachside festivities are underway, love is in the air which might even spark an unexpected exchange of vows from characters you’d least expect.

  * * *

  If that isn’t enough to get you in the holiday spirit, a surprise visitor will show up and offer Mackenzie, the manager at the local café, the surprise of a lifetime. The residents of Solomons and some of her closest friends will be there to show their support, and even share in a little yuletide caroling to celebrate.

  * * *

  Come join Clara, Mike, the employees of Lighthouse Tours, and the locals of Solomons Island for a sweet love story and a beachfront Christmas!

  * * *

  Solomons Island Series:

  Beachfront Inheritance: Book 1

  Beachfront Promises: Book 2

  Beachfront Embrace: Book 3

  Beachfront Christmas: Book 4

  * * *

  Also By Michele:

  Pelican Beach Series-

  The Inn At Pelican Beach: Book 1

  Sunsets At Pelican Beach: Book 2

  A Pelican Beach Affair: Book 3

  Christmas At Pelican Beach: Book 4

  Sunrise At Pelican Beach: Book 5

  Copyright © 2021 by Michele Gilcrest

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.