Pat Simmons has done it again with the Jamieson Clan. Once I started reading this book, I did not want to put it down. In Free of Guilt, Cameron Jamieson is on a mission and he will pull out of the punches to get Gabrielle. Gabrielle wanted a man to love Christ as much as she did, but Cameron was quite there yet. You will find that the book is well written, it has good fundamentals and great bible verses. You will find a great romance between Cameron and Gabrielle.
Unedited Excerpt
Cameron smirked at the conclusion of the ceremony. Finally, another Jamieson had a happy ending. He didn’t know Ace had that much romance bottled up inside of him. It was mind-boggling the way his cousin wooed the woman who was already his wife.
The ushers asked that everyone wait to congratulate the couple until after the photographer had taken his pictures within the chapel. As Cameron gazed around the sanctuary, a flash of beauty assaulted him. Holding his breath, Cameron locked in on his target—a woman gathering her things was a vision of loveliness.
Who was she and who had invited her? He dared not lust in church, but the woman was a striking temptress. From her body language, he deciphered she and another woman were involved in some type of disagreement. About what? he wondered.
She was also wearing pink. The gorgeous creature could definitely be mistaken as part of the bridal party. Cameron scratched out striking. Exquisite was a better description. As she stepped out of the pew, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her legs. Kudos on molding them.
Her hair was coal-black, her face was medium brown with dark brows and eyes that got a man’s attention, and her smile…there was nothing unattractive about her.
Evidently, other men thought so, too, as Cameron spied them admiring her. He snickered, knowing how this scenario was going to play out. No other man would get within three feet of her. Cameron would make sure of that.
Glancing over his shoulder, he verified his presence wasn’t needed yet. He turned back and checked the woman’s hands. Her ring finger was waiting for the proposal.
Yes.
How was she still available? She was and that’s all that mattered. He folded his arms as his nephews ran circles around him. Cameron was about to introduce himself when his object of affection started heading his way.
Unfortunately, he was not the main attraction as she connected with Talise. The two screamed their delight at seeing each other. Side by side they could pass as sisters or relatives.
“Gabrielle, I’m so glad you could make it.” They wrapped each other in a tight, lingering hug.
Gabrielle. Hmm, as in an angel—in disguise or naughty as sin? Before the evening was over, Cameron would have his answer.
“It was so beautiful,” Gabrielle gushed, then chatted until the photographer broke up their reunion and his assessment.
He instructed everyone to get in position for group pictures, which surprisingly included Gabrielle. Good, she wouldn’t be able to escape.
After countless poses and flashes, the photographer advised that he had a special request from the bride and groom. Sitting gracefully in a chair, Sandra held her two granddaughters who was less than a month apart in each arm. No doubt the cousins would be heartbreakers later. That tender moment would forever be ingrained in Cameron’s mind.
Family. He would always have a soft spot for kinsfolk. His brothers and cousins dubbed him the “family man” because of his thirst to track down his ancestors. Ironically, it appeared now that Cameron was the only one without a family—no wife or children.
“Okay, people,” Talise’s sister-in-law and self-appointed wedding organizer, said, clapping her hands to get their attention, “guests have formed the line outside the door to the Hummer limo that’s waiting for us. The sparklers are lit, so let’s go.”
Sandra’s sons lifted their daughters from her arms. Others paired up and followed the happy bride and groom out the church, except Cameron. He had his eye on Gabrielle who seemed to be engaged in another hushed conversation with the woman he’d seen her with earlier. What was their story?
She hadn’t noticed him after all the picture-taking, but Cameron planned to make a lasting impression. Before he could put in plan in action her friend practically dragged her toward his way. Lucky him. Stuffing his hand in his pocket, Cameron held back. Lifting a brow, he waited.
“Excuse me. My name is Giselle Rayford, but I go by Denise, and this is Gabrielle Dupree…”
“The G-Gs,” he commented as his gaze strayed to Gabrielle and lingered on her face. “I’m Cameron Jamieson.” He shook her hand first. Immediately, he noticed her softness.
“Yes, we got that a lot when we were in college, so I started to use my middle name.”
“What college?” he asked, shrugging off his cousin Ace who was waving for him to come on. He motioned one moment with his finger, but he would take more time if he needed and apologize to Ace and Talise later.
“Howard University,” Denise answered proudly.
“Hmm. Founded in 1867. It still remains a thriving HBCU today,” Cameron rolled out the tidbit. “Impressive list of alumni: Debbie Allen, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, Vernon Jordan, the first African-American mayor of New York City David Dinkins…I graduated with a double engineering degree from MIT in Boston, and just completed my doctorate.”
“Gabrielle lives in Boston,” Denise said, appearing in awe of his knowledge.
Her friend, on the other hand, didn’t seem fazed as Gabrielle, “Thank you. Yes, we take pride in the success of every alumni.”
Did she just politely dismiss him? Cameron grinned. “Of course, I’m just trying to impress the lovely ladies. So you’re the Gabrielle who worked at the same airline as Talise. Did you actually graduate from Howard?” He frowned.
That didn’t come out right either. Cameron always spoke his mind and got it right the first time, so why was he backpedaling with Gabrielle? Personally, he had nothing against a ticket agent, but that position didn’t require a degree.
Degrees opened doors. That’s why he now had three. He was looking for a woman who was well-rounded, which included reaching for the highest opportunities.
“Do you mind if I have a word with you?” Denise asked before he could further put his foot in his mouth.
“Only if Gabrielle accompanies you,” Cameron answered, never taking his eyes off her friend. “I hope you plan to come to the reception. Trust me, you will have my undivided attention.” He walked away toward the waiting limo outside.
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