Page 19 of Wrapped in Love

God, she was beautiful. But thin and drawn. I prayed it was because she was missing me as much as I was missing her.

I stepped closer. “Miss James, once again, I must beg you for help.”

She blinked. “Help?”

“Yes. I have misplaced something of great value, and I think perhaps you might have it in your possession.”

I saw her eyes drift to the bracelet I had given her. She thought that was the thing of great value. “Not the bracelet, love,” I prompted.

She met my eyes, the pain in hers evident, her confusion clear.

“My heart,” I stated. “I left my heart with you. I’ve come to get it.” I paused. “And you.”

Tears filled those dark eyes of hers. “Me?”

“Yes,” I responded, moving closer so I could wipe away her tears. “I’m empty without you. Nothing is right without you beside me. You have my heart, Callie. Will you take the rest of me?” I paused. “Forever?”

“Forever?” she repeated.

“Yes.”

She was in my arms in an instant. I held her close, feeling complete for the first time since leaving her weeks prior.

I was never letting her go again.

Callie was curled up beside me on her small sofa. “Here? You’re going to be a doctor here?”

“Well, in Grimsby. Only three hours from here. And I’m going to be part of a team there. My hours will be more stable.” I gathered her hands in mine. “I’ll get a place as close to here as I can. We can see each other more. I’ll drive here every chance I get. Evenings, weekends…”

Callie shook her head. “Shane—I’ve had an offer on this place.” She jumped up and hurried away, returning with a thick stack of papers. She thrust them at me, and I glanced at the number.

“This is generous.” I looked up. “What about your store?”

“I can reopen someday if I want, or I was thinking of going back to school.” She looked at me, suddenly shy. “Maybe I could do that in Grimsby.”

I cupped her face and kissed her. “Yes. God, yes. Live with me, Callie. Be with me every day. Please.”

Her breath caught. “I thought you were breaking up with me,” she whispered, holding my wrists. “I’ve hardly heard from you.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I was so blown over when Thomas told me about this position. I flew here and interviewed, and they offered me the job right away. I had to go back and settle things in Calgary.” I paused and sighed. “Part of me was afraid to tell you in case you said no. The other part was so excited, I wanted to make it a surprise.” I smiled. “I only told my family last night. And I decided if you said no, I was going to woo you until you changed your mind and decided to love me again.”

“I never stopped.”

I pulled her into my arms. “Good.”

“I’ve missed you so much, Shane.”

“Me too, love.” I kissed her tenderly. “You’re never going to be alone again. Neither of us will be.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“So, you’ll live with me? We’ll get a place together?” I asked, anxious.

“Yes,” she said simply.

“Thank you, love. I don’t ever want to be without you again.” I held her tighter. “God, Callie, when Thomas told me about this job, my first thought was of you. Of us. Of being close to you—being able to see you.”

I recalled my reaction and the way Thomas had laughed at my words. I had basically said the same thing to him, then realized what I had blurted out to my boss.