Chapter 36 #2
“Paint gun,” Henry said. “Winded. Let me breathe.”
She paused. “You’re not shot?”
“No.”
Maia sagged against him, holding him tightly until she could breathe again without terror taking her out at the knees.
“My life flashed before my eyes,” she whispered, still clutching Henry.
“It was a life without you, and I hated what I saw. Henry, will you please marry me? Life is short. Unpredictable. I don’t want anyone else.
I want you. So please marry me and put me out of my misery. ”
“You don’t mind that we’re different?” he murmured, his large body tensing again when the man continued hollering. “That I’m older?”
“I adore your wolfish ways, and age is just a number. Like you said, we’re equals.
A partnership, and that’s perfect for me.
For us.” She honestly didn’t care that everyone she lived with, apart from London, could morph into an animal.
They were a devoted family, and they embraced her, accepting her into their group with affection, laughter, and care because Henry loved her.
“I love everything about you, Henry, and have instinctively trusted you since I was twelve. Please marry me.”
“Yes.” And he drew her into his arms and kissed the stuffing out of her.
Gradually, she noticed cheers and catcalls from her fellow players and the Auckland team they’d played.
Henry pulled back, his expression impassive, but his brown eyes glowed, and he didn’t fully release her.
Jill grinned at Maia. “Now that the police have Paint Gun Man in custody, could we get on with the prize-giving?”
“Of course,” Maia said in a nonchalant air. But she glanced at the security men who had the interloper contained.
“That is Amanda’s father,” Henry said. “Gerard and I investigated him. In his youth, he was a talented rugby player, but a severe injury in a vehicle accident meant he couldn’t play professionally.
From what we can gather, he passed his talent on to Amanda and insisted she fulfill his dreams. She snapped under pressure, and it appears that the stress of her arrest was too much for her father. ”
“That’s sad,” Maia said, watching her team as they lined up to receive their medals. “My aunt was forceful in her opinions and tried to coerce me into following her instructions. I know what it feels like, but why didn’t Amanda speak to her mother or an outsider if she hated playing rugby so much?”
“They’re waiting for you,” Henry said, giving her a tiny shunt. “But to answer your question, I think she bought into her father’s dream. Maybe she thought he’d love her more if she did as he asked.”
“Makes sense,” Maia said, pecking him on the cheek before jogging away to join her team.
Henry rose from the restaurant table where they’d had a celebratory dinner and held his hand out to Maia. “Would you like to walk around the waterfront?”
“I want to go,” Levi said.
“Let your brother go with Maia,” Megan said. “We’ll walk after we eat our dessert.”
Henry sent Megan a grateful smile before leading Maia outside.
Despite his deep affection for his family, he craved time with Maia.
He didn’t want to live alone, frightened something might happen to her as it had to Jenny.
Maia had told him she’d prefer to spend time with him and enjoy every moment given to her.
His woman was brave and wise.
He’d been holding himself apart, too terrified to fully live and love again because of something that might happen. He no longer wished to live in fear. Jenny hadn’t deserved to die, but he had to take a chance and keep living. Fate had given him this opportunity and placed Maia in his path.
“Where are we going?” Maia asked.
“I thought we’d cross the pedestrian bridge and walk to the Wynyard Quarter.
We can stop for a drink if you want.” He also wanted to give her the ring in his pocket and make their engagement official.
While Maia was with her team, doing interviews and taking photos, Henry went ring shopping.
The instant he’d seen the ruby-and-diamond ring, he’d known it was perfect for Maia.
He savored her hand in his, just being with her without glancing over his shoulder or worrying about someone shooting at them. A ferry nudged into its berth while a bus full of commuters lumbered down the road.
“I’m proud of you. You played well today. The Black Fern selectors would be crazy not to pick you for their team.”
Maia’s phone rang, interrupting. “Talk about coincidences. It’s the selector.”
“Answer it.”
“Maia Jacobs,” she said, and Henry caught her trepidation.
“Maia, I’ll keep this short because I have a long list of people to call, but we’d like you to play for the Black Ferns.”
“Really?” Maia said.
“Really,” the selector said, laughing. “Your play has impressed us, especially since we know you’ve had background drama. We’ll email you the training details and our program for this year. Okay?”
“Yes. Thank you so much!”
Henry heard both ends of the conversation and squeezed her biceps in silent congratulations.
Maia hung up in a daze, her grin slowly widening and excitement spreading over her face. “Henry, I did it. I made the team!”
“You did. They’d be fools if they ignored you because you’re a fantastic player.” He hugged her hard, pressing her firmly against his chest and breathing in her scent. His mate. He was a damn lucky man.
After a long moment, he pulled back and fumbled in his pocket. He opened the green box and extended it to her. “Maia Jacobs, I am crazy about you. Please accept this ring to make our engagement official.”
“Henry.” She held out her hand.
He pushed the ring onto her finger with a sense of satisfaction. “I love you, Maia. Thank you for persevering and making me realize I was an idiot. My life is so much better with you in it.”
“Aw, Henry.” Maia smiled at him, one of her big, bright smiles that always made him feel at peace.
It shone in her eyes and lit his world. Maia accepted his grumpy arse and made him a better man.
A better wolf. He held out his hand, and she took it as they continued to meander along the waterfront, savoring the sea air, the city noises, and the lights.
He had his dream woman, his lady, by his side. Life couldn’t be better.
Living the dream!