Chapter 15 #2
But it wasn’t the familiar hat that had tears flooding her eyes. It was the cardboard sign the snowman held in his stick arms. Written across the cardboard in bright marker bubble letters were two words.
I BELIEVE.
“I do, you know.”
Jolene glanced up at the porch and saw Cal standing there. He was hatless and his hair was mussed and held a glimmer of snow, as did the shoulders of his jean jacket. He moved down the steps with a look in his eyes that made her breath catch and her heart beat faster.
“I had lost faith in everything,” he continued.
“In God. In love. In people. Even in myself.” He stopped in front of her.
“But then this woman showed up at my garage with a flat tire. A woman I had known forever and thought I knew. Turns out, I didn’t know her at all.
I didn’t know the warm, passionate woman who met me here that first night and rocked my world.
I didn’t know the intelligent, funny woman who entertained me long after we finished making love.
And I didn’t know the kind, generous woman who took care of my daughter when she needed a friend and gave me a loan even when I didn’t qualify. ”
Cal smiled softly. “But I know that woman now. She taught me a lot of things. But the thing she taught me the most was that there is a whole lot of good in the world. All you have to do is look for it. I believe, Jolie. You made me believe again.”
Tears fell from her eyes like the melting snow dripping from the eaves and Cal quickly pulled her into his arms. “Oh, baby. Don’t cry. I’m sorry. I’m so damned sorry.”
She held him close and spoke against his strong shoulder. “And here I thought you weren’t much of a talker, Cal Daily.”
His chuckle rumbled beneath her ear. “I guess when I’ve got something to say, I become a bit of a chatterbox.”
She drew back and looked into his eyes. “That was the most beautiful speech I’ve ever heard in my life.”
He grinned. “So I got this one right?”
“Perfect.” She glanced around. “You got everything perfect. You made it snow.” She looked back at him. “How did you make it snow?”
“It wasn’t easy. I had to drive all the way to Austin to find a snow machine to rent.
Then I had to figure out how to use the darn thing and pray that it would stay cold enough to keep what I did make from melting—all while being interrupted by every person in Simple who wanted to know what in tarnation I was doing. ”
She couldn’t help giggling at the thought of Cal having to deal with the townsfolk’s curiosity. “And what did you tell them?”
His beautiful hazel eyes grew intent. “I told them the truth. I told them that I was madly in love with Jolene Applegate and I was trying to apologize for being a prideful idiot.”
Jolene was so stunned she could hardly speak. “You love m-me?”
He smoothed the strand of hair that had come out of her bun behind her ear.
“Yes, Jolie, I love you. I didn’t want to, but I do.
” He cringed. “That didn’t come out right.
What I mean is . . . I was scared. No, I was terrified of giving my heart to another woman and having it crushed.
But I’ve come to realize that love hurts even more when you don’t share it. ”
Until the day she died, whenever Jolene heard the word joyous, she would think of this exact moment.
Because the feeling that consumed her was the definition of joy.
She wanted to squeal and spin in a circle.
She wanted to run into town and shout at the top of her lungs, “Cal Daily loves me!” But mostly, she wanted to stand there forever and absorb every single detail.
The glistening snow and the twilight sky and her pretty pink house and her handsome beau who loved her.
She smiled from her heart. “I didn’t believe either.
I didn’t believe that anyone could fall in love with a serious, unexciting woman like me.
But you changed all that. You helped me find the woman inside me who knows how to laugh and love and enjoy life to the fullest. You helped me find me.
I love you, Cal Daily. Not just for that, but also for the man you are.
The honest, hardworking businessman. The loving, caring father. The sizzling hot lover.
His lips lifted in a sexy smile. “Sizzling hot?”
“Scorching.”
He pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss that proved her words before he drew back and rested his forehead against hers. “I think we’ve got a little time before we have to be at the church to watch Cheyenne.”
She laughed. “Just what are you suggesting, Mr. Daily? A holiday affair? No strings? No attachments?”
He gave her another kiss. “I’m thinking of something more long term with plenty of strings and attachments.
” He straightened and pulled something out of his jean jacket pocket before he got down on one knee.
“I was going to wait until Christmas, but . . .” He opened the box to reveal a diamond engagement ring.
“Marry me, Jolie. I can’t offer you a mansion on a hill.
Or even a big fancy diamond ring. But I can offer you my love forever. ”
Tears filled her eyes. “Mansions on hilltops are overrated. I prefer pink houses with just enough room for a family of three. And I’ve never cared for gaudy rings.
But before you slip that beautiful ring on my finger, we need to talk to Cheyenne first. She might not be ready for her father to get married again. ”
He laughed. “Are you kidding? Who do you think helped me with the snow, the sign, and the ring?”
“Cheyenne?”
He nodded. “She’s convinced that you’re responsible for me allowing her to date and I’m sure she thinks when we marry you’ll continue to take her side.”
“Only if you’re wrong.”
Cal smiled as he claimed her hand and slid the ring on. “Then let the battle begin, Miss Applegate.”