CHAPTER NINETEEN #2
His words opened Elisabeth’s heart and made her want to believe him. But she was scared.
“I’m far from perfect,” he explained. “But I don’t want to lose you. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you.”
“I can’t be bought.”
“This isn’t about money.” His sincere tone wrapped around her like a hug. “When I worked on the farm, I finally felt as if I accomplished something. Not with my money, but with my hands. My heart. My soul. It was the second-best feeling in the world.”
“The second? What was the first?”
“Kissing you.”
A monitor blipped. For a moment, Elisabeth thought it was her heart. She glanced at the bed.
Caitlin’s eyes fluttered open, and she looked at Elisabeth. The love in Caitlin’s eyes nearly knocked Elisabeth over. Caitlin’s gaze rested on Henry. “Daddy?”
The word was so faint, but Elisabeth heard it. A wave of relief, the size of a tsunami, washed over her.
Henry covered Caitlin’s hand with his. “I’m right here, princess. And I’m not going anywhere until you can come home with me.”
The corners of Caitlin’s mouth curved, and she closed her eyes.
A nurse ran into the room. “The monitors showed some movement.”
“Caitlin woke up.” As Elisabeth backed away from the bed to give the nurse room, tears of joy streamed down her face. “She opened her eyes, spoke, smiled.”
The nurse checked Caitlin. “What did she say?”
“Daddy.” Henry’s voice cracked.
The doctor arrived. Henry and Elisabeth stepped out into the hallway.
“I didn’t think she was going to wake up.” A sob racked her body. “I really thought we would lose her.”
“Not a chance.” Henry hugged her. “Caitlin’s a fighter. She’s strong like her big sister.”
The worst seemed to be over, but Elisabeth still struggled to hold it together. Using what little remained of her willpower, she stepped out of Henry’s embrace. “Why did you answer when Caitlin called for Daddy?”
“Because she was talking to me,” he explained. “She asked if I would be her daddy a couple of weeks ago, but I didn’t give her the right answer. I told her I was her fairy daddy. Lucky for me, she gave me a second chance today. I wasn’t going to blow it this time.”
Elisabeth tried to understand what he was saying. “You want to be her daddy?”
“I do.” The earnestness of Henry’s words brought tears to Elisabeth’s eyes. “I told you. I’m not leaving. I want to be Caitlin’s daddy and a father figure for Abby and Sam. And for you—”
“I don’t need a father figure.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a husband.”
Her mouth gaped.
“Okay, this is sudden. We’ve never been on a date or had a meal without the kids around.
But I know it’s the right thing to do, and you’ll have plenty of time to think about it.
You can go back to college and graduate.
Maybe attend a music conservatory. Play with an orchestra or two.
I’ll stay at the farm with the kids until you’re ready to come back and get married. ”
As she stared at him, at Henry, realization dawned. This was no joke. It wasn’t a game or an adventure. This was real. He was serious. He wanted to be a permanent fixture at the farm and in her life.
In all their lives.
Her heart swelled with joy.
Henry wasn’t going anywhere. He was staying. “You have this all planned out,” she said.
“I tend to think I know what’s best for…for the people I love,” he admitted a bit defensively. “But it’s a good plan.”
“Are you sure this isn’t just you wanting to play fairy godfather? Or plan another adventure?”
“One hundred percent positive.”
“You told me you didn’t want kids.”
“I changed my mind.” Hope gleamed in his eyes and matched her own. “Have you changed yours?”
The easiest thing to say was no, but Elisabeth didn’t want to do that. She couldn’t.
“I have changed my mind. You’ve given me courage.
Not going to lie, I’m still scared, but I choose to push through it,” she admitted.
“I’ve been so afraid of being left again I’ve been relying on excuses to keep my heart safe.
My parents, my ex-fiancé, the farm, the kids.
It was easier that way. Until I met you. ”
Henry grinned. “You could have told me.”
“Would you have believed me?”
“Probably not.”
It was her turn to smile. “Because of you, I opened myself up and became a better person. A better sister.”
“You’ve always been a great sister.”
“Thanks.” A warm glow flowed through her. “You made me want to live fully, to have fun, to accept help when I needed it, to take a chance on love. But—”
“There can’t be a but,” he interrupted.
“But you can’t plan everything like it’s one of your adventures. You can’t tell me what I should do,” she explained. “We need to be able to figure things out and make plans together. Okay, Cupid-fairy-godfather Henry?”
He laughed. “You forgot Daddy, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Good, because I would like to graduate from college. But playing the harp in an orchestra is an old dream.” A surprising peace settled around her heart. “My new dreams revolve around this guy named Henry, who I fell in love with. He seems to think he’s a berry farmer.”
“I am a berry farmer.” Mischief glinted in his eyes. “Or will be, once you say yes.”
“Yes?”
“To my marriage proposal.” Henry held her hand. “I love you, Elisabeth, and I want you to be my wife. Of course, I’d prefer to wait and propose properly with roses and a horse-drawn carriage and a tasteful yet large diamond ring set in platinum or gold. Your choice.”
“I love you, Henry. Not your money. I don’t need something fancy or expensive. A plain wedding band is enough.”
“I know, but humor me. It’ll make life a lot easier for both of us. I also think an engagement harp would be appropriate in addition to a ring.”
Elisabeth could barely breathe. She knew enough about Henry to know life would never be boring.
“You’re hyperventilating.” He squeezed her hand. “I take it that’s a good sign?”
All she could do was nod. She didn’t need any of those things he’d mentioned. Sure, they were thoughtful and romantic, but all she needed was Henry. The man she loved.
“Henry Davenport, berry farmer, husband, and father.” He grinned. “Kind of catchy, don’t you think?”