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“No, I have no reason to sell it just yet.”
Elizabeth put her hands on her hips. “Just exactly what have you been doing?”
The boys were enjoying the drama unfolding.
“Boys, inside. I need to talk with Elizabeth alone.”
“I’m good. I don’t know if she has a weapon,” Night said.
“My mouth is the biggest weapon I have. I can’t believe my eyes. You’re going to be a father, Rix. Anna-Beth loves you.”
“She does?”
“I wonder why people believe men are the superior species.” She shook her head. “Of course, she loves you. Why do you think she’s hurting? Spends most of her day crying. The only time she seems to smile is when she’s walking my dogs.” Elizabeth tutted.
“I’m completely in love with her,” Rix said. “I love her more than anything else in the world. I know she’s pregnant. I never intended to leave her. Shit happened. Life happened. I want her to come here. Be with me. Be my old lady.” He looked past her to Crow. “Is it all set up?”
“It is. We’re waiting on another delivery of candles,” Crow said.
“Come with me, I’ll prove it to you.” He led the way from the main parking lot to around the back where he intended to propose to Anna-Beth. There was a white veranda with flowers traveling up, lights covering the clubhouse, chairs, and tables. “This is what I planned. I’ve got to get Anna-Beth to come here and I can’t do that while she’s hating me.” He turned to Elizabeth. “I have no intention of leaving her or letting her go. I love her more than anything.” He offered her a smile.
Elizabeth’s lips were pursed.
“You’re still angry.”
“I don’t hold on to such stupid emotion.” She clucked her tongue. “No, you know what? I think we could make this work. How good are your men at kidnapping someone?”
He folded his arms across his chest. “You think I should kidnap her?”
“You said it yourself. Do you have a better idea?”
He looked around and shook his head. “Can’t I just attempt to talk to her?”
“Again, a good try, but maybe it won’t work.” Elizabeth was silent, glancing all around, humming, nodding, and then she smiled. “Yeah, I think kidnapping would work. Anna-Beth is always with me. We can be kidnapped together.”
“Why would you both be kidnapped?”
“I don’t know, but it sounds like a fun idea to me. You can take my dogs as well. I want to be surprised. Do you think you can handle that? Also, a nice touch would be, if you’re planning on marrying her, to have a priest ready.”
“And if she doesn’t want to marry me?”
“Then it serves you right for leaving her this long. You should have learned your lesson. Now, how about a ride home. You can then plan this, and we can see that you and Anna-Beth have your true happily-ever-after.”
Rix really did adore this wonderful woman.Chapter ElevenFor the past couple of days, all Anna-Beth had wanted was to be left alone, to dwell in her misery. In having a baby she couldn’t tell the father about because he was never home. The house she couldn’t sell. The lack of love. If she’d known this was how she’d end up after moving here, she wouldn’t have even given moving a thought. No, that was a lie. She would’ve moved still, but she wouldn’t have been happy about it.
Elizabeth wouldn’t leave her alone, not once. From the moment she woke in the morning, Elizabeth was there with drinks and breakfast. She even found the time to go to town, complete with the dogs. They’d enjoy a nice meal together, and then they’d go home. On the way home, she’d insist on walking her to her front door, then back to her house.
This continued for four days, completely.
By the fifth, she had decided she was going to talk to Elizabeth about it. There was no reason for her to continue being with her. She wasn’t going to do anything stupid. The realtor was having a hard time with the house and getting people to want to buy it. Life, at this point in time, sucked, big time.
Martin had stopped approaching her about dates. Guy’s marriage also seemed to be on the mend as well. All around her life was happening and she was miserable and alone. She hated her life so damn much right now.
She wanted nothing more than to sob, but instead, she saw Elizabeth waiting for her.
Holding her bag to her shoulder, she walked out of the office and smiled. Elizabeth was just too nice not to adore.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hello, honey. So I’m thinking I cook you dinner tonight. How about that? I mean an amazing spaghetti casserole. Lots of cheese and all the good stuff.”
Her stomach chose that moment to growl.
“Settled,” she said.
“No, no, you don’t have to do any of this,” she said, reaching out to take Elizabeth’s arm.
