Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
I look at the picture of him and me and Raven on the nightstand and smile. Somehow we managed to juggle her and classes and football our senior year, and because Maverick was so open about the reason he fought, people came out of the woodwork to help us. Mrs. Watson from Pineview herself volunteered to donate services to Raven, including riding lessons and art classes at Pineview.
She lived with us until Maverick was drafted, and then made it clear that while she loved us, she did not want to be attached to us at the hip. So, we did some research and found her a facility nearly identical to Pineview in Nashville.
As for me, I’m designing a line of clothing for my new Geek Girl fashion label and volunteer weekly at a local animal shelter. Maverick loves coming with me too, although I don’t think he’d ever admit it. Rescuing animals has become his charitable calling card, whether he meant it to or not.
I hear clanging from the living room and make my way there.
“Mav?” I call. “Where are you?”
I make my way down the hall and into the den then come to a halt at the vision I see. Standing smack dab in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows is Maverick dressed as a…Jedi?
I give him a careful once-over, taking in the white leggings with brown boots, the beige tunic with a utility belt, and the light saber holder. A brown overcoat is draped over the getup, and I rub my eyes. The detail is amazing and he looks professional, like something straight out of the movies.
“Morning, gorgeous.” He strikes a pose, waving around a blue light saber that makes a whooshing sound with each movement.
“Morning, babe. Where did you get this outfit?” I’m impressed and starting to wonder if I can get a Princess Leia one. “Are we going to a comic con somewhere?”
“I had it made. And no, we’re staying in today. Just you and me.”
Cool. We’ve been busy these past few weeks, and it would be great to just relax at home. Maverick swings the sword and Han darts from behind a chair, paws swatting at the light saber as he runs past.
I giggle. “Nice moves. You’ve got Han riled up now.”
I expect him to laugh with me, and he does flash me a brief smile, but there’s something about his expression that’s different. It’s intense, as if he’s about to head out to the most important football game of his life.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” I say, moving in closer.
“More than okay. It’s the best day of my life,” he says as he sets the light saber on a chair and kneels down in front of me. From the coffee table, he picks up a black velvet box that I hadn’t noticed yet and pops it open. Inside is a ring with the biggest square cut solitaire diamond I’ve ever seen.
I blink. My body flutters and I can’t breathe.
He gazes up at me with those steel blue eyes, the ones I hold close to my heart every night when I go to sleep.
“It feels like I’ve waited forever to do this. Delaney Renee Shaw, will you marry me and make me the happiest Jedi in the universe? I promise to always love you—and your cats—and give you everything you could ever want, body and soul.”
Tears flood my eyes as I take him in: his pure heart, the way he fights for those he loves, the way he loves me.
“Yes. Always. You are everything.”
“You’re everything, Buttercup, and I couldn’t have made it without you by my side.” He stands up, cups my face, and kisses me, and I know that no matter what, he and I can do anything together.
THE END
Nana’s Super Secret Pecan Pie
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of sugar
1 ½ cups of corn syrup (half dark and half light)
4 eggs
¼ cup butter
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups pecans, broken
1 unbaked deep-dish pie shell
INSTRUCTIONS:
In saucepan, boil sugar and corn syrup together for 2 to 3 minutes and then set aside to cool.
In large bowl beat eggs lightly and slowly pour the syrup mixture into the eggs, stirring constantly.
Strain the mixture to make sure it’s smooth and lump free. Stir in butter, vanilla, and pecans and pour into crust.
Bake in a 350°F oven for about 45 to 60 minutes or until set.
Serve with a smile and a story about a secret recipe.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
8 tablespoons of salted butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Microwave the butter for about 40 seconds to barely melt it. It shouldn’t be hot, but it should be almost in liquid form.
Using a stand mixer or electric beaters, beat the butter with the sugars until creamy. Add the vanilla and the egg; beat on low speed until just mixed.