Behind them, Ned and Francine sat close to each other, hand in hand, out of the closet and a couple again. Ned had shaved off his beard and cut his hair short, making him look twenty years younger in Syd’s opinion. She wondered if they’d be the next to tie the knot.

Everyone turned to the back of the church as Janey and her father appeared in the doorway.

“Wow,” Luke whispered. “Look at her.”

“Gorgeous,” Sydney agreed.

Even though he was noticeably thinner and still recovering from his injuries, Big Mac was handsome in his tuxedo and steady as he walked his baby girl down the aisle. Since his left arm was still in a sling, Janey held tight to his right arm, both of them clearly fighting their way through the emotion of the moment.

With Mac by his side, Joe never shifted his gaze from Janey as she came toward him.

Big Mac hugged his daughter and then Joe before joining his wife in the front row.

Listening to Janey and Joe recite their vows, Luke tightened his hold on Sydney’s hand.

She smiled at him, dazzled by how handsome he was in a smart dark suit, and once again she was so grateful to have him back in her life and by her side for the difficult days she had to endure before they could move forward.

Syd had no doubt they’d get through it. Together.

About the Author

Marie Force is the author of the Fatal Series: FATAL AFFAIR, FATAL JUSTICE and FATAL CONSEQUENCES. FATAL DESTINY, the Fatal Wedding Novella, is free to readers on September 5, 2011, and Book 4, FATAL FLAW, is out in February 2012. “This novel is ‘The O.C. does D.C.,’ and you just can’t get enough.” (RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars for FATAL AFFAIR). In its July 2010 issue, RT Book Reviews named Marie a “Future Star of Romantic Suspense.”

Marie is the author of MAID FOR LOVE, FOOL FOR LOVE, and READY FOR LOVE, the first three books in her McCarthys of Gansett Island series. Marie is also the author of TRUE NORTH, THE FALL and THE WRECK, available as e-books via Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Smashwords.com and iBooks.

Her earlier contemporaries include EVERYONE LOVES A HERO, LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT. Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist said, “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Wild on Books said, “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!”

Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to RWA. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and Published Author Special Interest Chapters.