Chapter 45 Faith
FORTY-FIVE
FAITH
We’ve fallen into a rhythm over the last few months, and waking up in Jude’s arms every morning is like a dream come true.
His muscular arms cradle me as I stretch my body and groan.
It’s morning already. The sun shines through the massive windows, illuminating the room with a brightness that’s nearly blinding.
There are no curtains on the windows. They overlook Mirror Lake.
It’s a spectacular view of the glistening water.
The houses on the other side of the lake are nestled in between trees.
I can’t wait to drink my coffee on the deck.
Jude reaches over to the nightstand and grabs the fireplace remote to turn it on. It’s not cold, but the mornings are still chilly. Watching the fire from bed is the best way to start the day.
“This is the life,” I say, tilting my head to see his handsome face, and I’m still in awe of my life.
While stroking my hair and rubbing my scalp, he says, “I want to wake up with you in my arms every day for the rest of my life.”
“Were you in my head? I was just thinking the same thing!” I giggle and kiss his chest.
Feeling content, I nestle myself further into his body and my fingers trace circles on his arms. They are one of my favorite parts of his body.
Then he drags his fingertips up and down my back, sending goosebumps all over my body and my back arches.
I look up at him with a sly grin on his face. He knows what he does to me.
“Okay,” I say and point my finger at his chest.
He grabs my hand and intertwines his fingers with mine. “Okay,” he says, as he kisses the top of my head.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah,” he says with love in his eyes and voice. “Let’s get some coffee. I want to show you something, but it’s downstairs.”
He’s being a little cryptic, but I’d love some coffee, which requires getting out of this warm bed and not being on top of Jude. He seems a little excited about whatever is downstairs. I slide out of bed, put my slippers and robe on, and Jude does the same.
My foot lands on the first step as I head to the kitchen, and the smell of coffee invades my nostrils. My feet lead me straight to the coffee pot. I take out two mugs from the cabinet and pour coffee. It’s like I’m in a fantasy of my own making—except it’s real life…my life.
Jude strolls in, and he comes up to me and presses a soft kiss on my lips. I hand him his coffee, already made to his liking.
“I love that you make me coffee every morning. It makes me feel special.” He reaches over with his free hand and encircles my waist to slide me closer to him. My back is against his as we sip our coffee.
“You’re easy to please,” I tease with a little elbow nudge to his stomach.
“No one except a barista has made me coffee in the morning.”
This man is special in every way. Compassionate, loving, and attentive, and I’m not letting him go again.
“I’m happy to make your coffee.”
“Let me make you breakfast, and I can show you something.”
“Can you show me before you make breakfast?”
He looks at me with an arched eyebrow. I’m not good at waiting for surprises.
He stalks over to his laptop that sits on the island and opens it up.
Curious, I take a few steps toward him. The laptop screen lights up, and he moves the mouse.
After a few clicks, he turns the laptop toward me.
What am I looking at? It’s a page with pictures of land, and at the top it says Waterfront Property on Mirror Lake.
Confused, I look up at Jude and he has a huge smile on his face.
“I want to buy property on Mirror Lake and build our dream home.”
He’s talked about this, and with this rental, I knew it was something for the future, but now? I’m shocked. He said our dream home.
Finally closing my mouth, I’m able to form a sentence. “You want to buy this?”
“Faith, living on Mirror Lake in a beautiful home with you is exactly what I want. I have been searching for a few months now, and nothing has come on the market until yesterday, when this property popped up on my search. What do you think?”
My fingers run along the white granite counter as I think. I’d love to have this countertop in our kitchen. Many features of this house appeal to me, and I would like them in our home as well.
Completely thrown off my axis with this, I take a minute and remind myself that we share the same vision. “Then maybe it’s meant to be. Can we see it today?”
He turns around fully and picks me up. “Yeah, you want to go see it?”
He twirls me around and then sits me on the island.
I can feel his breath on my face, and my heart flutters in my chest. With his hands cupping my face, he kisses me softly.
Prickling spreads throughout my body. This man drives me crazy.
He slides his tongue through my lips, and it’s the most sensual kiss.
It feels like he is making love to my mouth.
Pulling away, he stares at me with those amber-rimmed eyes, and I’m done for—panties soaked. “I’ll make an appointment right now.”
The house door opens, and we step into the house.
The property was perfect. It was a level lot, and we could build far enough away from the lake so we have an expansive yard that will lead down to the water’s edge.
There is enough room to build a garage, which is a must have. The views will be spectacular.
“Should I put in an offer?”
Bouncing on my toes and grabbing his neck to hug him, I say, “Jude, it’s perfect. Yes!”
He’s my home, and it feels like we’ve been together forever.
“Why don’t you relax and read one of your books? I’m going to prepare some things in the kitchen, and then I’ll come sit with you.”
That sounds like a perfect way to spend the rest of the afternoon.
Heading to the living room, I swipe my book from the couch and open the sliding glass door.
The sun warms the air as I walk to my zero-gravity chair.
I sit down, lean back, and enjoy the warmth before reading.
It feels good on my exposed skin. Once I’m warm enough, I open my book and start reading.
I’m not sure how much time has passed, but I’ve almost finished my book. I thought Jude was coming out onto the deck. I close my book and make my way back to the kitchen.
What is he up to? There’s food all over the island, like he’s making dinner. I love it when he cooks for me. “What’s all this for?”
“I have a little surprise for you.”
“Full of those today, aren’t you?”
As he continues to prepare the food, it almost looks like he’s making chicken stir fry. My mind floods with memories of our breakup twelve years ago. My stomach aches and feels like it’s in knots, and I know it must be written all over my face.
He stops what he’s doing and rushes over to me. “Sweetheart, I want to start fresh tonight, and I thought if we could bring all this full circle, it would help us remember the wonderful memories and all the healing we’ve done.”
I can’t even with this man. He thinks of everything. “Okay, you’re the best.” I pause to kiss him passionately. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” After a quick hug, he’s back to getting dinner ready.
Having washed my hands, I help him make dinner, and everything is smooth as we work together.
We finish dinner in record time, and I set the table to eat.
The smell of chicken and soy sauce fills the house.
Jude comes in with two beautiful crystal candle holders and white tapers.
Then he lights them and dims the lights.
He’s so up to something.
The food is on the table, and we sit. He is at the head of the table, and I’m on the side. He holds my hand and squeezes. We eat dinner and talk more about the land and what we want in our dream home. It’s a relief that we like a lot of the same luxuries.
“I hope it doesn’t take long to hear if our offer is accepted,” he admits, his voice is full of excitement.
He finishes first and excuses himself from the table as I take my last few bites. Just as I put my fork down, he comes in with dessert. Where did that come from? Sneaky guy! “Are you hiding desserts now?”
His head tilts back, and he laughs hard, then says, “Yes, hiding it from you. It’s your favorite—chocolate flourless cake.”
He places the dish on the table. My mouth waters.
I can’t wait to dig in, but out of the corner of my eye, I see he takes a black velvet box out of his pocket.
Ah, what is that? No, not yet. I want to marry him, no doubt, but I’m not ready for that.
Sweat forms on my body, and I must have a face on again because he says, “Faith, it’s not what you think.
” He hands me the box. “I wanted to surprise you with this to start our new chapter of love, promises, and our future.”
He is surprising me, that’s for sure. Slowly opening the box, my heart practically jumps out of my chest when I see it.
It’s my promise ring I left on his dining room table all those years ago.
He kept it. The sobs come full force, but this time they’re happy tears.
I take the ring out, and he puts it on my finger.
He places his hand on top of mine. He’s got his Claddagh ring on too.
“I promise to love you forever. I promise to treat you the way you deserve and make you the happiest woman alive. We are rewriting our love story, sweetheart.”