CHAPTER SEVEN
“Honey, you look confused this morning,” said Lennon. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. No. I’m not sure,” she laughed, shaking her head. “Are all the men here so sure of themselves?”
Eleven women turned and yelled ‘yes’! She laughed, staring at them. Ramey smiled at the young woman, taking her hand.
“Let me guess. My son professed his affections for you this morning, kissed you and talked about your future together.”
“Pretty much,” she frowned. “I mean, I’ve agreed to a date but he’s talking way beyond that. I’m just not sure.”
“Not sure about what?” asked Marissa.
“I don’t know,” laughed Marnie. “I actually don’t know. I mean, I like him. At least what I know of him so far. He’s obviously very handsome and kind. But…”
The women waited but Marnie just shook her head, unable to spit out what she was really worried about.
“Marnie? Look at me,” said Avery. “You and I are about the same size. Look at Sara, she’s even taller than you and me, curvy like us. Mary over there, all curves honey. Then we have Lauren, tall, slender, gorgeous. Lissa? Dancer’s body all the way.
“Then we have Alexandra, Victoria, Elena, and Daphne. Petite, tiny, and little bundles of energy. There is no one type here and I think you’re worried that you’re not Mitch’s type.”
“A little,” she admitted.
“Honey, he’s already made his choice,” said Ramey. “You are exactly his type and I think he’s made a fine, fine choice.”
“Choice? For a girlfriend?” she asked with a wrinkled nose. The women laughed, shaking their heads.
“No, sweetie. For much more than that,” said Kate. “The men here don’t date casually. When they say you’re it. You’re it. It’s a lifetime commitment for them or nothing at all. We often give this advice.
“Love is so very hard to find, that when you do, recognize it as the gift it is. You should hold it gently. Don’t squeeze too hard, but don’t let it go.
These men are different in every way. Their lives have been entirely about protecting others, with no thought as to who would protect them.
Expect that they’ll be overbearing, alpha in every way.
But recognize how unbelievably special that is and that they’ve chosen us to be by their sides.
He will protect you, but you will protect him as well.
He will drive you mad with his overprotection, but he will soothe you with his love and adoration of you.
And there is nothing like the love of one of these men. ”
“But we barely know one another! I stitched up his head, that’s all.”
“That’s not all,” said Marissa. “You captured my brother’s heart. One that’s been open and waiting for the perfect woman for a long time. He’s crazy about you, Marnie. Let him show you that.”
“This is a lot to take in,” she said standing. “I-I need to think.”
“Are you headed to the hospital?” asked Ramey.
“No. I’m off today. I’m just going for a walk if he asks. I just need to think.”
“Marnie?” called Mary grabbing her hand. “Believe in what you’re feeling. It’s as real as anything you’ve ever felt before. Mitch won’t disappoint you.”
They watched as she left the cafeteria, headed toward the gardens. Mary turned to look at all the women and nodded.
“That’s a very confused young woman and we need to help give her clarity.”
Marnie sat on the stone bench near the fountain, listening to the soft trickling of water, lulling her into relaxation. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath of jasmine, magnolia, and azalea. There were hundreds of scents and sounds.
For many, it would have been overwhelming. But for her, it was something she’d craved for years. Peace.
“This has always been one of my favorite spots,” said the decidedly male voice.
“Oh, hello,” she said standing.
“Sit, sit,” he waved.
“You’re Angel, right? Mitchell’s great-grandfather.”
“That’s me,” he grinned. “I like to think he looks a lot like me and he definitely has a lot of my traits.”
“He does. All of the Jordans seem to be beautiful, handsome people,” she grinned. “And polite. Insanely polite.” Angel laughed, nodding at her as he took the seat beside her.
“You know when I met my Mary I was very confused about my life. My friends were getting married, having babies, settling down and I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t finding the one that lit up my life.”
“But you did find her.”
“I did. I literally walked into her store to buy baby gifts and there she was. It took some convincing to get her to go out with me.” He looked both ways and grinned, leaning toward Marnie. “Mary’s a cougar.”
Marnie laughed so loud she covered her mouth with her hand, shaking her head.
“It’s true. She’s older than I am and she thought that would matter to me. It didn’t. How could it when I knew the moment I saw her that she was the woman for me. She’s always been the woman for me and I wouldn’t change a damn thing about our lives.
“She gave me Wes, Marc, and Georgie. Three of the most beautiful children in the world. More grandchildren and greats than I count. . My world is Mary. Mary and our beautiful family.
“I was like Mitch. I was bold and declared that she was the one for me, way too soon. I scared her but what she didn’t know was that I was scared too. Terrified in fact.”
“Why? I mean, I can look at you and see that you’re a handsome, strong man. She’s beautiful but I would be intimidated by your looks as well.”
“Well, thank you,” he smirked. “But that was the problem. She thought that because of the way I looked and that she was beautifully round, curvy, and luscious, I wouldn’t want her.”
Marnie smiled at the man realizing just how much he truly loved his wife.
“But what if Mitch sees or wants something else in a year?”
“He won’t.”
“But what if he’s on a mission and is approached, out of sight out of mind?”
“He won’t.”
“What if…” He grabbed her hand, stopping her mid-sentence.
“Marnie, he would never, ever do that to you. He has said to all of us that you are the woman he’s been waiting for. His one and only. Now, the question becomes do you have feelings for him? Beyond physical attraction.”
“I-I’m not… I don’t…. Yes. I don’t understand any of this, but yes. He’s sweet and kind, he’s certainly handsome and beautiful to look at it but it’s so much more. He’s smart. Like the kind of smart you can’t get from books. And he’s funny. He makes me laugh.”
“Well, then,” he said standing. “Sounds like you’re about to have a date for tonight. I have it on good authority he’s planning to ask you out. Why don’t we take a walk in the gardens and go visit Gwen’s shop and pick up a new dress?”
Marnie stood and took his arm, smiling up at him. He had beautiful eyes, lines telling her of years of wisdom, laughter, and living. The long scar on his face did nothing to deter from his good looks. In fact, it only added to it.
“Alright, Mr. Jordan.”
“Angel.”
“Alright, Angel. But if he breaks my heart I’ll come crying to you.”
“If he breaks your heart I’ll kick his ass, family or no.”