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Chapter Six
Lucas
Nothing can dampen my spirits as I drive to my house. I've found the perfect way to keep Amalie in Shelby.
I thought about convincing her to hide at my place, but when she explained who she was running from, I knew what I had to do. Okay, it was a crazy idea, and she could have told me no, but I sensed she was desperate enough to accept the offer. I was right.
My sudden marriage to a woman nobody other than Mal has ever met will raise a few eyebrows in town, but as I explained to Amalie, this town isn't like most. We protect the other residents, newcomers or not, so long as they don't abuse that kindness.
And yeah, okay, she could be lying through her teeth about what she's running from, but instinct tells me she's honest. That and her bruises and injured wrist. And I trust my instincts. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she’s an innocent party in the situation with her father. The fucker.
Amalie makes a soft noise as I pull into my driveway, a sound of delight. My place is a two-story farmhouse, settled on a few acres of land and painted in white with black detailing around the shutters and window frames. A long front porch runs along the front of the house, with a porch swing hanging off to the left and a comfortable outdoor couch and chairs on the right.
I bought it several years ago, and it's the kind of house that needs a family. Most of the rooms are empty, but I loved the house too much not to buy it when I was given the chance. If my luck holds out, I may get to fill some of those empty rooms with the houseful of kids Amalie wants. After I make her mine in every sense of the word.
The thought of her belly round with my baby has heat surging through my veins. I can barely keep my hands off her now, but seeing her grow big with my child? I'd be inside her every chance I got.
“Come inside. I won’t be long, but I don’t want you sitting out here alone,” I say as I unfold my frame from the car.
Amalie follows me inside, her head swiveling as she takes everything in.
"I won’t be but a minute," I tell her, walking past my bedroom and the living room to the right.
I don't hear her move, so I assume she’s stayed by the door, looking around. Stairs run up the right side of the hallway to the second floor with a side table and a bench seat underneath. I often sit on that bench to pull on my boots or take them off.
“Your place is gorgeous,” Amalie says when I return, holding a folder.
I shoved some money from my safe into my pocket for the rings. Now I need to get her to the courthouse before she changes her mind.
“Thanks, it’s my respite after a long day.” I smile at her, my breath catching in my throat as she looks up at me with complete trust.
She's twelve years younger than me, but I don't give a fuck. Age is simply a number when you find your soulmate. I would want her regardless. She's beautiful inside and out, and I'm the lucky fucker who gets to keep her. I found a way to make it happen.
I returned her smile, brushing her soft cheek with my knuckles. An unknown emotion wells up in my throat. I'm not sure if I want to kiss her senseless again or hug her close and hide her from the world. It's a tender emotion, something I haven't experienced before. There was a time I'd thought I was in love with Janice, but now I know differently. I was with Janice for two years, but what I felt for her is a pale imitation of the emotions churning within me for Amalie after only a few days. Amalie has reawakened me, body and soul.
“Ready?” I ask softly.
Amalie nods, her blue eyes locked on mine as she leans into my touch for a moment before pulling away.
“Shelby is a beautiful town,” she says a few minutes later as I drive toward the town center. Old houses line the streets before everything opens up on the main drag.
“It is. The population is small, but we have our own grocery store, library, and decent shops and restaurants," I say proudly.
I suddenly realize I take this place for granted in a lot of ways. Seeing the town through Amalie's eyes is refreshing, allowing me to appreciate Shelby in a new light.
“This is crazy,” she suddenly says, her gaze swinging to me.
My heart skips a beat. “Have you changed your mind?” I ask casually as I pull up in front of the jewelry store. “You wanna call it off?”
Amalie shakes her head. “No, not at all. It’s crazy, that’s all. Surreal.”
I cut the engine and tuck the keys into my pants pocket. “You sure?”
“Yeah, I am.” She nods as if to punctuate her decision. “Let’s do this.”
A smile tugs at my lips as I get out of the car and cross to Amalie's side to open her door. “We’ll pick out some rings and head to the courthouse,” I say as I help her out.
Amalie clutches our document folders in her good hand as we enter the shop. I watch as she smiles and chats with James, the salesman, behind the gleaming glass cabinets, already winning him over with her easy charm. She wanders over to the wedding bands, earning me a confused smile from James.
