CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
NOAH
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We are heading to Killeen, Texas, where Quinn and I were stationed together at Fort Hood—previously known as Fort Cavazos—in a few days to visit her parents and my father, to break the news.
First, we’ve flown into Dallas where we rented a bike and booked a hotel room. Quinn hasn’t asked for a ring, and that’s typical of her. Little does she know I’ve been imagining the day I would propose to her for a while and even looked in a few jewelry stores.
So when I snuck to the store to buy her one just before we left California, I knew exactly what I wanted.
“I can’t believe Noah Jenkins is taking me on a picnic,” Quinn says, climbing onto the back of the Ducati. “What would all those Special Forces buddies of yours say?”
I grin inside my helmet and squeeze her bare thighs.
I’m not thinking about the boys. My blood pressure is elevated, and I’m ready to officially propose. She’s already said yes, but I wanted to make this romantic. We only get to do this once...
Well, okay, twice.
We ride to Rockledge Park, a secluded spot with sweeping views of Grapevine Lake. It feels like the West Coast, just less humid.
“This is gorgeous. How did I not know about this place?” Quinn asks, climbing off the back and ripping off her helmet.
We set up the picnic blanket and arrange the food. Some cheese, grapes and strawberries. We bought a couple of bottles of sparkling wine, neither of us wanting to drink much.
The sun hangs heavy in the late afternoon sky. It’s hot and balmy, and the heat kisses our skin. I settle beside her on the blanket and listen to her chatter away.
“Jeannie can’t wait to meet you. Carl is cool. I’m sure you will hit it off. Not that it matters.”
I smile and stare out across the water.
Fuck I’m happy.
“Don’t let Jeannie push you into fatherhood. It will happen when it happens.” Quinn continues and rips off the lid of the strawberries. “She almost burst my eardrums when I told her we were together.”
She hands me one.
I pop it in my mouth.
She does the same, and suddenly all my patience is gone. I can’t keep my hands off this woman.
I push her down on the blanket, smiling as she giggles, swallowing the strawberry.
Then I kiss her.
“I don’t think you listen to a word I say, Noah Jenkins. You just wait to find a gap to kiss me.”
“Correct,” I rasp, then kiss her again to prove her right.
They say that’s the trick to a happy marriage; kissing and letting your wife think she’s always right.
She hasn’t left my side since leaving the BHS training compound, staying with me after taking extended leave.
We’re working out where to live so that neither of us is too far from our workplaces. It’s tricky, but at least she’s stationed in the same state. I may ask Josh if I can work full-time at the training compound, which will solve that problem. We will see.
First things first, I need to put a ring on it.
Officially.
I lean back on my haunches and smile down at my beautiful fiancée. “I will never tire of your gorgeous face...or your tits.” I grin.
“Rude.”
“You love it.”
She blushes.
I reach into my cargo shorts and pull out the velvet bag, and her eyes follow.
“What is that?” she asks, her voice breathy.
I tug out the gold diamond ring. The stone isn’t large and flashy, because my wife isn’t. But the brilliance of the gem is the highest quality, and I see her eyes sparkle in response.
“Oh,” she gasps, sitting and looking me in the eye.
I take her hand and slide it to the knuckle.
“When my mother left me as a little boy, she took a piece of me with her. It broke my father, and I have always thought I’d end up like him.”
“Noah.” Compassion and love pour from her.
“Then you walked into my life, and it was as if you were the missing jigsaw piece she stole. I can’t explain it, but I knew you were mine the moment I stared into these pretty blue eyes, Quinn.”
“I already said yes.” Her glossy eyes roam my face as her palm cups my cheek. “Remember.”
“I wanted this for us. I want you to have everything.”
“I do,” Quinn says. “I have you.”
“Then say it again, sweetheart. Agree to be my wife and spend the rest of your life with me.”
“A thousand times, yes,” she replies without hesitation.
My heart swells as I glide the sparkling ring over her knuckle and press it in place where it will stay for eternity. Then I close the small gap and kiss her in a way we haven’t before.
A kiss that feels as if it takes place inside our souls.
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THREE DAYS LATER, we’re sitting at my father’s table having lunch. He’s grumbling about everything, but Quinn is charming the pants off him.
Not literally.
“This is delicious cornbread, Mr. Jenkins.”
“Call me Dad,” he grumbles, but I see the sparkle in his eyes.
He adores her.
“Are you sure?”
“You call me Dad, girl, and we will get along just fine.”
“You will need a suit for the wedding. Do you have one? I can go shopping with you?” Quinn offers.
“Thought you two would elope?” He glances at me in question, and I shrug.
“I’ll do whatever Quinn wants.”
“Good boy.” He nods.
When we leave later that afternoon, I’m standing at the door waiting for Quinn to gather her things when he places a hand on my arm.
I turn to him, and he doesn’t say anything. Not a word. But I know everything he’s not saying. When he nods, I nod, too, and my heart tightens inside my chest.
He’s happy for me.
He’s proud.
He’s happy for himself, also, which he should be. We have life back in our family. Life and a sparkle that Quinn is responsible for.
“Her father won’t be happy,” I share vulnerably.
“He will in time. You’re a good man, son.” He pats my arm as Quinn arrives.
She throws her arms around him as if she is part of the family and has been forever.
Dad and I share another glance, and it’s not until we climb onto the bike that I realize he was sober all day. He had one drink and didn’t open another bottle.
He did that for me.
He did that for Quinn.
Shaking my head, I start the bike and silently thank those motherfucking cartels.
They’ve given me everything.