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She snuck a glance up at him. “But you have told me that I need to speak up rather than keep quiet because I’m worried I might upset someone.”
“Did I? I suppose I might revise those vows if it means so much to you.”
“It does.”
He reached forward and cupped her breast, squeezing lightly. “Aspen, I wish I hadn’t had to leave right after asking you to marry me—”
“Telling me I was going to marry you.”
“Don’t interrupt,” he said sternly, but there was a hint of humor in his gaze. “If you’re feeling uncertain about that now, if you need to talk about it, if you’re not sure that you want to marry me anymore—”
“What? Of course I do.” How could he believe otherwise? Didn’t he know what he meant to her.
“Sir, I love you with everything inside me. This past week has been . . . hard.” She didn’t want to come across as needy. But she owed him more than that. She owed him the truth. “It was more than that. It felt like I was missing a limb. I was so worried about you, about what was going on.”
He brushed back her hair, studying her face. “You should have told me, pet. You never said anything when I called you.”
“The reception wasn’t that good and you were needed elsewhere. There wasn’t much you could have done, not like you could hug me through the phone.”
“I wish I’d been here for you.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “I thought a family wasn’t for me. The idea of a wife, kids, a picket fence it seemed like it was for other people. Not my life. And now, I’ve found someone who makes me smile, who keeps me on my toes, who is kind and caring and sweet and sexy and I can’t imagine my life without her. And she comes with two gorgeous boys who fill me with joy I don’t feel I deserve, but who I will prove to every day that I love them. That I cherish the three of them. And I will do all that I can to provide for and protect them.”
She sniffled. “Now, those are some amazing wedding vows.”
He gave her a gentle look. “Maybe I don’t deserve the three of you, but I’m not letting you go.”
“I don’t know why you think you don’t deserve us, but we’re not going anywhere. Not as long as you want us.”
“Then we’re going to be together for a long time.” He ran his thumb over her mouth. “I have never felt like this before.”
“Me either.”
“Okay, so now that the wedding vows are sorted,” he smiled down at her, “would you like to tell me why you didn’t tell anyone we’re engaged?”
What? Of everything she expected him to say it wasn’t that. She’d thought he’d brought her in here to talk about Julian and Keira.
She frowned, thinking it over. “I’m not sure. I think because it was so new, so special and I didn’t know whether you wanted me to say anything or to wait for you. So I decided to wait.”
“And is that the only reason?”
“I guess a part of me wanted to make certain you were sure.”
“You thought I might change my mind?”
She nodded, her gaze on the floor.
“Look at me.”
She glanced up into his blazing eyes. “Never. Understand me? Never. Are those the only reasons you didn’t say anything?”
“Yes. I want to marry you, Joel. More than anything. And I want everyone to know.”
He nodded arrogantly. “Good. Because Jake and Curt already do.”
“You’ve been to see them?” Her heart leapt into her throat. Would Jake have said anything about Winifred?
“Yes. And I do believe you have something to tell me.”
She licked her lips. “I was going to tell you. I wasn’t keeping it a secret. I promise. I didn’t want to worry you when there was nothing you could do.”
