Chapter 3
THREE
Grant
Mine, mine, mine, mine.
That’s all I can think as I help Rowan into my car and close the door behind her.
This is already going according to plan. I’ve got my girl alone. Now it’s time for step two. I need intel.
“Tell me about yourself,” I say as I climb behind the wheel.
“Like what? Oh, you mean where do I live?” she asks as I pull out of my parking spot.
“Sure. To start.”
“The address is 312 West 42nd Street.”
I nod, heading for the base’s gate. We pull out into traffic, and I drive toward her place.
“Were you born here?” I ask.
“No, I grew up in Colorado Springs, but I moved here a few years ago for college. What about you? Are you stationed here in Pine Valley? At Ridgeview?”
“I’m here for treatment,” I tell her. “What college?”
“Oh, I went to the local community college for my first two years and got my general classes out of the way. Now I’m at the Pine Valley branch of Colorado State.”
“And you work on base.”
“Yeah, for a few years.”
“You like it?”
“It’s great. Everyone is so nice.”
I nod. “Why the medical office?”
“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor.”
“Are you in medical school?”
“Not yet. I’ve applied and all that. Just waiting to hear back.”
“Is that in Colorado, too?” I’m already wondering how I can move closer to her.
“Maybe. I applied to a couple of different schools.”
I stop at a red light and look over at her. “I need a list.”
She frowns. “For what?”
“So I can make plans.”
“What?”
The light turns green, and I hit the gas instead of answering.
“Do you live with your parents? Siblings? Friends?”
Rowan shakes her head. “Um, no. I have a roommate, but she’s not really a friend.”
“Do your parents live in Colorado?”
“No, they, uh… they passed away.”
“Shit, Rowan. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks,” she whispers.
“When?”
“My mom died giving birth to me, and my dad passed away from cancer two years ago.”
My heart breaks for her, and I vow right then and there to always take care of her.
“That’s why you want to be a doctor,” I guess.
“Yeah. Women shouldn’t die during childbirth. Not in this day and age. I want to help people. Want to take care of them.”
I slow down as I turn onto her street, not wanting this car ride to be over. I’ve only learned a handful of things about my girl, and it’s not enough.
“Are you hungry? We can go get something to eat,” I offer.
She shakes her head. “That’s okay. I have to go study before class tomorrow.”
“When will you know about medical school?” I ask as I park outside her building.
“I’m not sure. I don’t think it will matter anyway,” she mumbles.
I frown. “Why not? You’re smart. You can do it.”
“I know, I-It’s not that. I just have to save more for it.”
She doesn’t sound very confident, and I wonder how much she has saved right now.
A new plan forms in my mind as I hop out of the car and open her door. I scan the sidewalks, taking in the cracked front porch steps and the shady-looking group at the end of the block.
Rowan doesn’t live in the best part of town, and I hate it. I want to bundle her back into the car and drive her to my place, where I know she’ll be safe, but I doubt she’d let me do that.
A couple stumbles up the sidewalk toward us as Rowan grabs her purse and climbs out of the car. They stop, leaning against the building as they giggle and make out drunkenly.
Rowan sighs, eyeing the couple warily.
“What?” I ask.
She sighs. “That’s my roommate and her boyfriend. If they’re like this now, tonight is going to suck.”
“Why? Has he ever tried anything with you?” I snarl.
She shakes her head. “No, it’s not that. They have really loud sex. I can’t study or sleep.”
“Ask them to stop.”
“We don’t really get along. If I say anything, they get louder to spite me.”
My plan solidifies in my head. I can’t wait, so I decide to go for it.
“Listen, I have a proposition for you.”
Rowan stares up at me, a blush staining her cheeks. “What proposition?” she asks breathlessly.
I like where her head is at, and take that as a good sign. I lick my lips, take a deep breath, and go for it.
“Marry me.”