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    Now and Forever: The Sumner Brothers, #5.5
    Now and Forever: The Sumner Brothers, #5.5
    Now and Forever: The Sumner Brothers, #5.5
    Ebook74 pages50 minutes

    Now and Forever: The Sumner Brothers, #5.5

    By Lori Ryan and Kay Manis

    4.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    You are cordially invited to the wedding of Max Sumner and Devlin Darby…maybe.


    Devlin Darby is pregnant with twins and about to tie the knot—two things she never expected. And she's not quite sure she's ready for either.

    Not only is she doubting her ability to walk down the aisle without tripping over her swollen feet, she's afraid of becoming a wife…and mother.

    Max Sumner is ready to be a husband and a father…he thinks. The one thing standing in the way is his fiancée's own insecurities. But he'll do whatever it takes to prove his love, even if it means walking down the aisle barefoot to make her feel beautiful.

    Can the supportive words of their family and friends bring Devlin and Max the confidence they need to say "I do?"

    Join the entire cast of the Sumner family and they're friends as they descend upon Canyon Creek for the wedding of the season. Shoes optional. 


    If you love characters that make you laugh, make you cry, and grip you with emotions, you'll want to read the entire series, available now. Get to know the sexy Sumner brothers in this emotional, heart-warming series. 

    Please Note: This is a companion novella to The Sumner Brothers Series. You would benefit from reading books 1 through 5 first, all available now.
     

    This book was previously published as Their Forever

    Born to be My Baby, Book 1 (Ben and Maggie)

    Never Say Goodbye, Book 2 (Aaron and Kayleigh)

    Thank You for Loving Me, Book 3 (Max and Devlin)

    With These Two Hands, Book 4 (Aaron and Kayleigh)

    I'll Be There for You, Book 5 (Jake and Lina)

    If That's What It Takes, Book 6 (Grant and Sophie)

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRMI Publishing LLC
    Release dateSep 25, 2018
    ISBN9781732719507
    Now and Forever: The Sumner Brothers, #5.5

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    Reviews for Now and Forever

    4.5/5

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    • 5/5
      Now and Forever is a short novella follow up to Thank You For Loving Me. This book takes up Max & Devlin’s story shortly before their wedding & takes us on the journey until the vows have been said. I loved this addition to their story! I know they’ll show up in future stories just like past characters have played a part in their story but this was special. Their wedding was as unconventional as their courtship & engagement were. Wonderful writing by a talented pair of authors!

    Book preview

    Now and Forever - Lori Ryan

    Chapter One

    Devlin Darby tossed her keys and purse in the basket next to the door and eased herself down on the small bench under the stairs, afraid she might bust the thing in two.

    Her doctor had just informed her she’d gained six pounds in a month. Six! She was expecting twins, but still.

    Babe, is that you? Max called from the back of the house.

    Yes, she said, not finding the energy to raise her voice or fake chipper anymore. She was beyond beat.

    Max came down the hallway at a half-jog and skidded to a stop before her. Are you all right? He squatted down, patting her down like she was an inmate. Are the babies all right? He lifted his head, worried eyes meeting hers.

    For a man who used to face down two-hundred-and-fifty-pound linebackers in the NFL, this pregnancy had him as defenseless and vulnerable as an orphaned deer. That was her Max, so fearful for their unborn twins.

    I’m fine, she assured him, rubbing his jaw, a small smile making its way to the corners of her mouth.

    Then what is it? What are you not telling me?

    It’s nothing, I’m just…

    Just what?

    I gained six pounds, Max.

    And? he asked, taking her hands in his.

    Six pounds! she screeched, sagging back against the wall. I can’t even see my feet anymore when I stand.

    Max glanced down at her feet then back up. They look good, he was quick to reassure. They look real good.

    Liar, she said, raising one foot, "my feet are already busting out of these ballet slippers Maggie bought me last week. Last week, Max. She bought them last week."

    Her eyes narrowed as she watched him bite back a smile.

    "It’s not funny Max. I’m as big as a house. As big as this house." She waved her hand around the expansive entryway of their home, a home she loved. It was originally built as a bed and breakfast, but Max’s mother Valerie had sold it to them when she found out they were pregnant. She said she wanted her grandchildren nearby.

    Well, he said, lifting her to her feet with an ease that belied her size, I think it’s a big, beautiful house, and so are you.

    Her eyes narrowed. Did you really just call me a big house?

    Max laughed and shook his head. Come with me, wife.

    I’m not your wife, yet, she corrected. In three days she would be, and the thought scared her even more than having twins.

    Without waiting for her to move, he lifted her into his arms.

    Max! she squeaked. You’re going to pull out your back.

    Hush, he said, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. Not possible. You’re as light as a feather.

    Where are we going? she asked as he walked down the hall, ignoring the flat-out lie he was trying to feed her.

    Without answering, he slid open the doors to the twins’ nursery and walked inside.

    Their bedrooms would be upstairs when they got older, but since their master bedroom was downstairs, for now Devlin and Max were converting the old dining room on the first floor into a nursery.

    Devlin took in the décor, sighing at the sight before her. All her friends had helped her create a peaceful space for both her and the babies. She had a feeling with twins, this place would be anything but serene before long, but she was going to try her best to make this a place where she and the babies could relax.

    In opposite corners of the room sat the cradles Max had crafted by hand. She leaned her head against his chest, suddenly acknowledging she had no reason to be so afraid of devoting her life to this man. He’d shown her time and time again that he loved her, that he would be there for her and the babies. That he was nothing like her father.

    You finished them, she said.

    Yeah, he nodded, setting her down on her feet.

    She walked to one of the cradles and ran her hand along the smooth wood of the railing, then traced the intricate carving of the headboard.

    Shawn helped with the wood work. He pointed to a large empty space within the borders of yet another beautiful carving. Once we find out if they’re boys or girls, we can put their names here.

    Their friend, Shawn Braddock was a master carpenter and contractor who did various jobs around Canyon Creek. Recently he’d help renovate the wedding barn at the lodge Max’s family owned and ran.

    Just a few more days and we’ll know, Devlin said.

    They’d given Max’s Aunt Sally—who owned the only bakery in town and was making their wedding cake—a note

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