room wall so that we can look upon it daily.”
Gabriel had several galleries along the coastal towns. His biggest was in New Orleans. His work was well received and once again Ashton was astonished at how successful his brothers had become while he wasn’t looking.
The sound of pinging glass had heads turning toward the DJ, where Max stood prepared to issue a toast. “Hi there. Maximilian David, I’ve prepared a short toast, so if you will, please indulge me. So we’ve all heard the old adage that a good woman can make a good man want to be an even better man. Right? Sure, you’ve heard that. That’s probably true. I don’t have any evidence for or against it, but I want to tell you a little bit more about a good woman. One who doesn’t step in and try to change you—no—but one who steps in, takes your hand in hers, and jumps off the cliff with you. That’s right, a good woman isn’t afraid to dig in and do hard labor, get her hands dirty, and roll in the mire in order to save the one that she loves. I was convinced this woman did not exist, and then I met Harmony Clark David. She is a good woman. We can all only hope to one day find her equal for ourselves. Thank you.”
Harmony dried her eyes. “You and your brothers are wreaking havoc on my wedding day makeup.”
Professor Maximilian David’s philosophical waxings had tears collecting in Ashton’s eyes. He’d like to have those words written down and framed because they absolutely described the fierceness of his wife.
“We’ve heard from all but one and I don’t think he’ll be available any time soon.” Ashton pointed to his youngest brother Zach, who was surrounded by a throng of women as he regaled them with witty anecdotes of his daily and nightly escapades and charmed them with his I’m-completely-aloof-and-unavailable-to-you–but-keep-trying demeanor.
When finally the best day of his life was at its end, he was able to take his wife to bed in their little cottage. It was the perfect end to the best memory he’d ever made.
Epilogue
It was their second Christmas in the cottage and Harmony was busy wrapping the gift she’d had made for Ashton. She was glad she’d sat for the boudoir pictures when she had because her body was about to be changing.
After she attached the ribbon to his gifts, she set them beneath their small tree in the living room. Everything about the cottage was small. In fact, she could be at one end and he at the other and they could carry on a conversation and she loved it.
They’d given access to the plantation to the River Road Historical Society. However, restorations were still being made, so it had yet to open for touring.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. David.” From behind her his arms enclosed her waist. “Merry Christmas, little David.”
“After we tell my parents, we can tell your cousins.”
“I can’t wait.”
Harmony and Ashton, along with her family, had been invited to a shrimp boil at Britton David’s home, which made up the third house in the triangle-shaped acreage they all shared.
She dressed in a black velvet dress that sported a large red velvet bow for the waist.
“You’re beautiful.” A cool piece of jewelry was placed on her neck. Ashton attempted to fasten it. “Hold up your hair.” She complied. Once he had the necklace fastened he bent and kissed her neck.
She impatiently skipped to the mirror attached to the chest of drawers in their bedroom and leaned in. “A gold heart locket.” She smiled.
“Let me show you.” He opened it. Leaning in for a second time she saw their prom picture on one side and their wedding picture on the other. “My two favorite memories. I love it. Thank you, Ash.” She sweetly kissed him.
“Do you want yours?”
He smiled and eagerly nodded like a little boy and she giggled. “Wait here. What I’m giving you is for the bedroom.” His eyes widened at her admission.
She carried the basket that housed the series of pictures. Placing it on
Gabriel had several galleries along the coastal towns. His biggest was in New Orleans. His work was well received and once again Ashton was astonished at how successful his brothers had become while he wasn’t looking.
The sound of pinging glass had heads turning toward the DJ, where Max stood prepared to issue a toast. “Hi there. Maximilian David, I’ve prepared a short toast, so if you will, please indulge me. So we’ve all heard the old adage that a good woman can make a good man want to be an even better man. Right? Sure, you’ve heard that. That’s probably true. I don’t have any evidence for or against it, but I want to tell you a little bit more about a good woman. One who doesn’t step in and try to change you—no—but one who steps in, takes your hand in hers, and jumps off the cliff with you. That’s right, a good woman isn’t afraid to dig in and do hard labor, get her hands dirty, and roll in the mire in order to save the one that she loves. I was convinced this woman did not exist, and then I met Harmony Clark David. She is a good woman. We can all only hope to one day find her equal for ourselves. Thank you.”
Harmony dried her eyes. “You and your brothers are wreaking havoc on my wedding day makeup.”
Professor Maximilian David’s philosophical waxings had tears collecting in Ashton’s eyes. He’d like to have those words written down and framed because they absolutely described the fierceness of his wife.
“We’ve heard from all but one and I don’t think he’ll be available any time soon.” Ashton pointed to his youngest brother Zach, who was surrounded by a throng of women as he regaled them with witty anecdotes of his daily and nightly escapades and charmed them with his I’m-completely-aloof-and-unavailable-to-you–but-keep-trying demeanor.
When finally the best day of his life was at its end, he was able to take his wife to bed in their little cottage. It was the perfect end to the best memory he’d ever made.
Epilogue
It was their second Christmas in the cottage and Harmony was busy wrapping the gift she’d had made for Ashton. She was glad she’d sat for the boudoir pictures when she had because her body was about to be changing.
After she attached the ribbon to his gifts, she set them beneath their small tree in the living room. Everything about the cottage was small. In fact, she could be at one end and he at the other and they could carry on a conversation and she loved it.
They’d given access to the plantation to the River Road Historical Society. However, restorations were still being made, so it had yet to open for touring.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. David.” From behind her his arms enclosed her waist. “Merry Christmas, little David.”
“After we tell my parents, we can tell your cousins.”
“I can’t wait.”
Harmony and Ashton, along with her family, had been invited to a shrimp boil at Britton David’s home, which made up the third house in the triangle-shaped acreage they all shared.
She dressed in a black velvet dress that sported a large red velvet bow for the waist.
“You’re beautiful.” A cool piece of jewelry was placed on her neck. Ashton attempted to fasten it. “Hold up your hair.” She complied. Once he had the necklace fastened he bent and kissed her neck.
She impatiently skipped to the mirror attached to the chest of drawers in their bedroom and leaned in. “A gold heart locket.” She smiled.
“Let me show you.” He opened it. Leaning in for a second time she saw their prom picture on one side and their wedding picture on the other. “My two favorite memories. I love it. Thank you, Ash.” She sweetly kissed him.
“Do you want yours?”
He smiled and eagerly nodded like a little boy and she giggled. “Wait here. What I’m giving you is for the bedroom.” His eyes widened at her admission.
She carried the basket that housed the series of pictures. Placing it on
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