Chapter 10 #2
“Stop before I start crying and screw up my mascara. Then I’ll look like a zombie when I go talk to him.”
Cheri giggles. “Go before you lose your nerve. Call me if you need me. I love you, too. Always.”
After she disconnects the call, I stare at my phone, her voice echoing in my head.
Looks like my bingo card is going to be full before dinner time.
Marriage? Wow, I did not see that coming when I climbed the stairs to the plane yesterday.
Shit. Was it only yesterday? It feels like I’ve been here for weeks already.
I turn around and head toward the front of the garden so I can go back inside to talk to Andrew. But when I get to the gate, he’s standing on the other side, concern pinching his eyebrows.
Andrew looks like a dream come true—my dream.
The bright sunshine makes his brown hair look like it’s been painted with golden highlights.
He’s waiting with his hands tucked into his pockets, causing the fabric of his shirt to strain over his chest. And damn, he’s rolled up his sleeves, showing all those glorious veins on his forearms. Why is that so damn sexy?
When I tilt my head to meet his gaze, he smiles, and all the butterflies in my stomach take flight. Fuck. I’m toast. There’s no denying the attraction, but is it enough to last forever?
“Oh, Sweetpea, it will be. I’ll prove it if you give me a chance,” he says, his deep voice gentle, as if he’s afraid I’ll run.
Shit. I said it out loud? “I didn’t mean for you to hear that…”
His smile is radiant, even making the skin at the sides of his eyes crinkle at the edges. “I know, but I’m glad you did. You asked for space, but you’ve been out here for a while. I was worried about you.”
“I was talking to Cheri. You didn’t say I couldn’t tell anyone—”
“She’s your best friend. I expected you to call her. Did it help? Do you want to go inside and talk about it?” Based on the way he’s looking at me, it’s like he’s trying to see inside my head.
“Actually, I was going to find you, but since you’re here, can we talk out here?”
“We can do whatever you need, little bit. Whatever you need me to do, I will. I know I fucked up in my office. I should have broached the subject of marriage differently. Especially after explaining about the federal investigation.”
I’m nodding. “Yeah, that might have helped a bit. Or left out the marriage thing totally.”
“Never, even without what’s going on, I would still want to marry you today.
I know it’s fast, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
My parents met and married two days later.
They were married for twenty-five happy years before they died.
Adam and Aaric did the same thing with their wives.
Maybe it’s in our blood, but don’t doubt for one breath that what I feel for you isn’t real. ”
Stopping, I turn to look up at him. “I’m scared,” I whisper. “I worked so hard to get my law degree, I can’t lose it. I can’t.”
“You won’t, baby. I promise.”
“How? You can’t make that promise, no matter how much money you have,” I scoff, though I hear Cheri’s voice in my head, reminding me to take the chance.
“Maybe not, but I will be able to prove that David is behind all of this. That will fix everything. But that’s not all, is it?” he asks, as he runs his hands through his hair and pushes it behind his ears.
“No, it’s not. I’m scared of this.” I gesture between us.
“No one has ever cared about me, except Cheri. The foster homes I lived in weren’t the best, but they weren’t the worst, either.
But I didn’t matter to anyone. I’ve worked for everything I wanted and learned not to rely on anyone. Taking chances is scary.”
Andrew wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against him.
One hand holds my head to his chest, his heart beating steadily, soothing.
I inhale, and his sandalwood scent and fresh air flood my senses.
Peace slides over me like a soft blanket.
Some of my tension eases, and I relax into his embrace.
“I’m so sorry that you went through that.
But you aren’t alone now. You’ll never be again.
If you agree, in a few hours you’ll be a Gallant, with five brothers and three sisters, besides Cheri.
I’m sorry she won’t be here for you today, but I know Emma, Rebekah, and Hannah will be so excited to help you get ready. ”
“If I agree, what’s going to happen? Do I have to stay here? What about the investigation?”
“Baby, you’ll always be with me from this day on. We can fly to California to get whatever you need from the apartment, but you’ll live here now. You can work from here, just like me. I’d never take that away from you.”
“You’ll let me keep working?” I didn’t expect this. I figured if he was like his brothers, I’d be pregnant and gardening for the rest of my life.
“Really. And I’m not your jailor. I’ll be your husband—the man who will love and cherish you for the rest of our days. You’re mine to take care of, to protect, to be your safe haven, and help you make your dreams come true. Will you let me, baby?”
“Are you proposing?” I giggle, not because it’s funny, but I can’t hold onto the tension any longer. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t for him to drop to his knee in the grass and pull out a ring.
“I am. Jaclyn Tanner, will you do me the great honor of marrying me? Of being my wife, the mother of our children, the light of my life, the other half of my soul, for the rest of our lives?”
My jaw drops, and for a moment I don’t move, don’t breathe. My gaze darts from his face to the beautiful diamond ring in his hand. Then Andrew takes my left hand in his and whispers, “Breathe, baby. Everything will be okay.”
After releasing the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, I nod.
“I need your words, Sweetpea.” He squeezes my hand as he stares up at me.
“Yes, Andrew. I’ll marry you, even if this is the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”
With my words, he smiles, and I think even the sun gets brighter with the joy reflected in his deep blue eyes. “Thank you, baby. You’ve made me so happy.”
I can’t believe I said yes. Until the words left my mouth, I didn’t think I would. I wasn’t lying; this is insane. But instead of needing to run, for the first time since I arrived on the mountain, I’m at peace. Go figure. Cheri is never going to let me live this down.
“This was my mother’s ring. She wanted me to give it to the woman who made my heart whole,” he says as he slides it on my finger, and I’m shocked when it fits perfectly. “If you don’t like it, I’ll take you to pick out something else.”
“It’s beautiful.” I can’t take my eyes off the diamond, sparkling like magic in the sunshine. “I don’t want to lose it.”
“It’s still just a ring and can be replaced. I’m giving you my heart. You’ll never be able to lose that.”
Andrew stands and caresses my cheek with his hand, then brings his lips to mine.
The kiss starts out gentle, and I sigh into it.
His tongue slides inside my mouth, rubbing against mine and taking my breath away.
Pulling me closer, his rigid cock presses into my stomach as his arm wraps around my waist. He slides the other hand through my hair and cups the back of my head, keeping me where he wants me.
My fingers slide up his arms, my nails digging into his shoulders as he deepens the kiss, drawing my breath from me. Needs courses through me, sending shivers down my spine, and heat pooling in my core.
When he finally breaks the kiss, we’re panting. “I could kiss you forever,” he says before releasing me. My gaze drops to his erection, visible in his pants.
He rolls his eyes and groans, “You’re going to be the death of me, little bit. I want to throw you over my shoulder and carry you to bed. Unfortunately, that will have to wait until later. Good thing blue balls can’t kill a man. Let’s go inside and have some lunch before we get married.”
Andrew doesn’t wait for my answer, knowing I’ll follow him because I can’t seem to help myself, he just grabs my hand and leads me to the main house.
“Does everyone know?” I ask, suddenly second-guessing my decision. “Will they think I’m marrying you for your money?”
When he stops and looks down at me, his anger is palpable. “Yes, they know I asked you. No one will ever think that. Just like it doesn’t matter to Emma, Rebekah, or Hannah. If anyone even implies it, they’ll answer to me. You understand me, baby?”
“Yes, I got it.” My words soft. I’m in awe of this man. I’m still not sure this is real or will last, but I’m going to give him the chance he asked for and hope he doesn’t break my heart.