Shannon here: Sherry Kyle shares her real-life proposal, and excerpt from her latest Contemporary Romance Novella, All of My Heart, plus a chance to win a PDF or epub copy. Ten comments needed for the win. U.S. only. Deadline: May 24th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Sherry:
Will You Marry Me?
I’d been waiting to hear those four little words, “Will you marry me?” for three and a half years…
Doug and I met in Southern California at Biola University when I was a freshman and he a junior. Doug had been praying all summer for a transfer student, but God answered his prayer with an eighteen-year-old Colorado girl! I had barely stepped foot on campus when we went on our first date to church and out for pizza the second week of school on September 9th, 1984.
Our relationship, however, was not smooth sailing. During those college years, we both had some growing up to do. I was still a teenager, and Doug came into our relationship with trust issues after a previous relationship that left him with a broken heart. He told everyone we were friends even though it was obvious to everyone around us that we were meant to be together. I was confused and frustrated and broke up with him my sophomore year.
But no amount of separation could keep us apart. After Doug graduated, he moved back home to central California, and we wrote letters back and forth. After a semester, he came back to Biola University to do his student teaching. It was during my junior year that the lightbulb finally turned on. He told me he loved me and asked me to be his girlfriend.
College friends asked me why I waited for him. My answer was simple. “Doug is the most loyal person I know!” And it didn’t hurt that he was tall, blond, and had an athletic physique. Believe me, there were plenty of girls on campus that batted their eyelashes his way and would have loved to date him as complicated as he seemed. But the truth was, he needed to figure himself out before he brought a girlfriend—and eventually a wife—into the picture. And I admired him for that.
Doug invited me to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family my senior year. I happily obliged. He was now a teacher in his hometown while I finished my last semester in college, graduating a semester early.
On Thanksgiving morning in 1987, he asked me to take a walk with him at Natural Bridges Beach. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail, and wore sweats and athletic shoes—definitely not the type of outfit influencers post on social media these days during an important event—and joined him. We sat on the rocks and he told me to close my eyes. When I opened them, he was kneeling in front of me with a sparkling diamond ring in his hands. When he asked, “Will you marry me?” the answer was simple once again.
“Yes! Absolutely yes!”
Doug and I have been married now for thirty-six years. He is the love of my life, and I’m grateful for him every day.
Excerpt from All of My Heart by Sherry Kyle:
As she descended the stairs, she heard a familiar male voice talking in hushed tones encouraging Grandma to get off her feet. .
It couldn’t be…
“I know you’re a doctor and all, but I’m fine, really,” Grandma said. “It feels good to stand.”
Sierra hesitated at the base of the stairs before she turned the corner and came face to face with Eric Holden. Her Eric. Or the man she had once called hers.
But he looked different than she remembered. His dark brown hair was more styled, his clothing more tailored, his shoulders broader. But his smile and light blue eyes were the same. He was even more handsome, if that was possible.
“Sierra! It’s so good to see you.” He stepped closer and held his arms wide for a hug.
As much as she wanted to step inside his embrace, she couldn’t bring herself to hug him. Hugging her father was one thing—he had enveloped her before she had a chance to get away. Embracing Eric Holden would be altogether different.
Besides, how could he act as if everything was fine between them? He had broken her heart.
“Hello, Eric.” She couldn’t help the sarcastic edge to her tone. “What brings you here?”
“He’s the new town doctor. Haven’t you heard?” Grandma asked.
No, she hadn’t heard.
She scooted away from Eric and stood by Grandma, wrapping a protective arm around the petite woman’s shoulders. “It’s good to see you, Grandma,” she said, her voice low.
“You too, dear.” Grandma smiled up at her.
She returned the smile, then pinched her brows. “What happened to Doctor Walters?”
“Doctor Walters retired,” Eric said, “but you’ll get to see him this week. He’ll be the doctor at camp.”
Thank goodness. The last thing she needed was to spend the entire week with her ex-boyfriend. Her heart couldn’t take it.
Dad entered the family room, breaking up the awkward conversation. “Dinner’s ready.”
“Is Darlene joining us?” Grandma asked, as if it were a common occurrence.
Dad shook his head. “Not tonight.”
“Too bad. I like that woman.” Grandma turned toward Sierra. “She’s been so good for your father—”
Dad cleared his throat. “Let’s eat.”
“You sure you want me to join you?” Eric’s eyes landed on Sierra.
Was he asking her for her permission? If so, she’d gladly send him home. Becoming the town doctor didn’t make up for ghosting her in college.
“Of course we’d like you to join us,” Dad said. “Come take a seat next to Sierra.”
Subtle, Dad. Real subtle.
Once seated at the table, she avoided Eric’s gaze and took small bites of her chili and cornbread, waiting for the right opportunity to slip away.
Halfway through dinner, Grandma said, “Dr. Holden, do you mind helping me get settled in my room? I’m feeling a nap coming on.”
“Certainly.” Eric stood and retrieved Grandma’s cane for support.
As soon as the pair rounded the corner of the dining room, Sierra set down her spoon, excused herself, and bolted up the stairs.
She’d help clean the kitchen as soon as Eric was gone.
Question for Readers: Have you ever been to camp as a child or teenager? If so, tell us about your experience. If not, share your favorite vacation spot with us.
About Sherry: Sherry Kyle is the author of contemporary women’s fiction and historical romance, as well as her recent small-town romance novellas, Forever Yours This Christmas, Sweet Cranberries, and You Can Hurry Love. Sherry also writes award-winning devotional books for kids. When Sherry isn’t writing, she enjoys long walks along the ocean and decorating her beach home. She has four grown children, one grandbaby, and lives with her husband in California. Learn more & connect:
Sherry’s Website Sherry’s Facebook Sherry’s Facebook Author Page
Sherry’s Instagram Sherry’s Amazon Author Page Sherry’s Bookbub
About the book – All of My Heart:
A heartwarming story about forgiveness, second chances, and the magic of falling in love in spring.
Entrepreneur Sierra Jacobs has a thriving business planting gardens for restaurants and inns, but when her father calls her home to Camp Jacobs in Dove Creek, Tennessee, she agrees despite the rift between her and her father. Her injured grandmother needs her, and Sierra is more than happy to cook for the expectant couples arriving at camp for their babymoon adventure. Facing her father is one thing, seeing Eric Holden is an entirely different matter. He broke her heart once, and she isn’t about to let it happen again.
Eric Holden jumps at the chance to become Dove Creek’s newest doctor after the retirement of Dr. Walters, to heal patients and to reconnect with Sierra after ghosting her while in medical school, a choice he regrets. When Eric discovers Sierra is coming back to town, he is eager to spend time with her and rekindle what they once had—if only he could open up about the past without hurting her once again.
All of My Heart is the fourth and final book in the Love in Every Season novella collection. Each stand-alone love story can be read in any order.
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Have you ever been to camp as a child or teenager? Yes! I love camping and we camp often even nowadays 🙂 Ocean campgrounds are my favorite!
Hi Natalya!
Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been under the weather. I agree with you. Ocean campgrounds are the best! I was part of the surf club during college (only because of my boyfriend, now husband) and we camped along the ocean many times. 🙂
I have a winner! Jennifer Reynolds won the drawing. I appreciate Sherry for being my guest. And everyone else for stopping by.