Chapter Six
When she heard the sound of a truck pulling up, Willow’s heart quickened. With unsteady fingers, she put on her coat and grabbed her bag. Hunter wasn’t going to enter her house, she didn’t trust herself alone with him. Her body hadn’t stopped humming since last night.
She was frustrated and anxious and on edge, her whole being aching for Hunter’s touch. All because he’d kissed her.
Closing the door behind her, she stomped toward his truck. Before she reached the door, he was there, waiting for her.
“Good morning, fiancé.”
“There is nothing good about this morning,” she grumbled.
“Of course there is. We’re going skating!” His hands briefly touched her as he helped her to get in the truck.
“Okay, let’s get this over with,” she said as he got in behind the wheel.
“In a minute. I have something for you.”
As he patted his jacket pockets, her heart skipped a beat. What was he doing?
His eyes met hers, A slow grin spread over his face. “You don’t know what I’m about to do?”
“It doesn’t work like that. Anyway, I’ve told you I can’t read anything from you.”
He took out a small box. Her breath hitched, and her heart skidded to a stop. The lid lifted, her breath disappeared altogether.
“Your brothers would have my hide if I don’t give you a ring.” His words came from very far away.
She had to take a few breaths before she was sure she would sound normal. “They’ve all texted me this morning that they’ve been to see you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have a sister, I get it.”
“I don’t need a ring.”
“Your mom is also going to ask about it, as will your sisters-in-law, as well as your book club friends.”
“How do you know about my book club?”
“Everyone in Marietta knows about the book club.” He took out the ring. “It’s nothing fancy but I think you’ll like it. The blue stones reminded me of your eyes.” Picking up her hand, he slipped the ring over her finger. It was a perfect fit.
As she stared at the beautiful ring, tears clogged up in her throat.
“It’s a beautiful ring.” She touched the stones. “These aren’t real, I hope?” But even before he answered, she knew. Jewelry design had been a part of her studies, and she knew what to look for. These stones were as real as their brightness promised.
“The blue color … it suits you.”
“Hunter, it’s way too expensive, we’re not really engaged and it’s just for another few days …”
“Do you like it?”
“Of course I like it, it’s a beautiful ring, but that’s not the …”
Before she could finish her sentence, he was kissing her. The moment his lips met hers, her heart sighed. This was what she’d been dreaming about all night, this was what she’d been waiting for since she’d opened her eyes earlier.
Only when her whole body was shaking under his onslaught, did he lift his head, his eyes nearly black with desire. “Do we have to go skating?”
“This is just temporary, remember?” She’d wanted to sound light, amused, but her voice was low, husky.
She fidgeted with the seatbelt, so that she didn’t have to look at him “My mom has phoned already, they’re waiting for us at Miracle Lake.
I have to warn you about her. I love her to bits, but she can be overwhelming, to say the least. She’s going to want dates and details.
Under no circumstance do we give that to her, understand? ”
“Understood.”
“When did you get the ring?” she asked.
“I was in Bozeman early this morning when the shops opened.”
“How did you know what size to buy?”
Cupping her face, he turned her head to him. “I’ve held your hand. I’ve touched your body. I know.”
“You can’t say things like that to me.”
Flashing her one of his killer smiles, he fastened his seatbelt. “You’re wearing my ring.”
“It’s fake, remember?”
Lifting her hand, he kissed it before he settled both their hands on his leg and started his truck. “If you say so. Tell me about Miracle Lake. I’ve never been there before.”
She struggled to think clearly with all the strange vibrations in the truck.
Miracle Lake. Okay, she could talk about the lake, she’d been skating on it as long as she could remember.
“You’ve never been? I haven’t been for a while, but it’s a beautiful spot.
It’s basically a frozen pond with a fancy name.
You’ll find it in the middle of the woods ten minutes outside town.
During the evening kids sometimes light a bonfire and roast marshmallows and during the day you can rent skates from the shack at the lake.
There is also a small chocolate shop. It’s not the same as Sage Carrigan’s, but seeing as I owe you one, I’ll buy you a hot chocolate this morning. ”
“Sounds nice. I’ve been reading about Marietta’s history. The initial forefathers who arrived here thought what they’d discovered was copper?”
“Yep, I like to think when the copper turned out to be nothing more than fool’s gold, everyone with the wrong attitude to life left, leaving only people who really wanted to stay here.
Those were the ones who put down roots, raised cattle, and worked the land.
We’re very proud of our history and of the people who settled here way back when. ”
As they drove into town, she forgot her hand was happily lying in Hunter’s big one. She only remembered the ring as they parked next to Becket’s truck at the lake.
“I’m not sure about the ring, maybe it’s not a good idea,” she said, trying to take it off. But for some strange reason, the ring that had slipped on so easily before, wouldn’t budge.
Hunter grabbed her hand. “It’s for another few days. I’m sure you’ll survive. Come on, your mother is on her way here.”
And lo and behold, as she looked up, it was to see her mother with her friend Janice Miller in tow, heading their way.
“Come on, let’s do this. By the way, I don’t think I’ve ever told you, but you’re beautiful. You very nearly brought me to my knees the first time I saw you.”
Before she could catch her breath, he was out of the truck, leaving his words swirling in the small space and warming every nook and cranny of her being.
As she opened the door of the truck, her mom was there, holding out her arms. “My dear girl, I can’t begin to tell you how happy you and Hunter have made me.”
Before she could move, Hunter was there, picking her up and putting her down on the ground again as if she weighed nothing. He was clearly enjoying the situation, his eyes filled with mirth.
Well, two could play this game. “Oh, Hunter,” she crooned, slipping her arms around his neck. “You’re so strong, kiss me, it’s been too long.”
She just had time to see the flash in his eyes before he obliged. Thoroughly. When he finally lifted his head, the mirth was gone, replaced by something exciting she’d glimpsed the night before.
Out of breath, she tried to smile before she turned to her mother. “Well, come on, let’s go skating, I’ve promised Hunter hot chocolate afterward.”