Page 69 of Blue Jean Summer

“I’m wearing gloves,” I said, just a little bashfully. “I’ll wear it over top of them.”

Hayes’s hand fell away from my face. His fingers slid between mine, gently grazing the spot where the engagement ring usually was. “You know, sometimes I wish I could have reconnected with you outside of this, but I’d probably screw it up. So maybe us finding each other again this way is for the best.”

“Hayes…” I said softly as concern swelled inside me. The previous engagement he mentioned—the one that had gotten us into this mess—had done a real number on him.

Regret marred him like a brand. “You’re the…” He took a steadying breath. “You’re the kind of woman I’d want to marry. You know—in the ‘till death do us part’ sense. But if this is how I get you, then I think that makes me pretty damn lucky. I can’t thank you enough for saying yes and doing this for me.”

I squeezed his hand. “I could say the same about you.”

“Do you have a few minutes to talk?” he asked. “Or do I need to leave you to finish getting ready?”

“I can talk,” I said as I motioned to the small sitting area.

The two of us cozied up on a tufted love seat. I adjusted the train of my dress as Hayes reached inside his suit jacket and produced a set of papers.

“What’s this?” I asked as he handed them over.

“That’s the deed to your land.”

My eyes widened as I unfolded the pages. I barely made it through the beginning before tears welled in my eyes.

“Hey,” he said softly, cupping my cheeks. “Don’t cry. You put all that time into your makeup, and it looks great. Don’t ruin it.”

I laughed as I dabbed at the tears to keep them from staining my cheeks. “Thank you. But this—you’re giving me ten acres? That’s way too much.”

Hayes draped one arm across the back of the love seat and thumbed through the pages with his other hand, pulling out a map from the back of the stack. He pointed to the partitioned section close to the gates. “I think you might need more eventually. This spot gives you the most flexibility. There’s an old cabin that used to be used for storage. Now it’s just filled with junk. It’ll need some work, but it’s already hooked up to water and electric. I think you could make it a potting shed or some kind of indoor space for teaching. You’ll need land if you’re going to do a garden. More if you’re going to have livestock. Ten acres gives you growing room. And if you need more in the future, there’s room to expand.”

I looked up from the pages. “You think I’ll need room to expand?”

“I think the valley isn’t big enough for you, Cath. Ten acres is barely enough for your fingerprints.”

We could worry about the legalities tomorrow. I dropped the papers into my lap and wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you,” I whispered.

He cradled me in his arms like I was something to be treasured, not something to be hoarded or put on display. Something truly valued.

“One more thing.”

I sat up and angled myself toward him, careful not to crease my dress.

Hayes took my hands in his. “I came in here to give you the deed, but there’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about.”

He took a deep breath. Hayes was usually locked in and composed. Now he looked more vulnerable than I had ever seen him.

“In a little bit, we’re going to say some vows that neither of us really mean.” The gentle back and forth as he rubbed his thumbs across the tops of my hands was soothing. “I want you to know that, even though I can’t promise you love and eternity, I promise that I do care about you. I promise that your fears are safe with me. That you’re safe with me.” Sadness laced his smile. “We may not be soulmates, but I promise to be your partner for as long as we’re tethered to each other. And I promise that I want the best for you.”

My heart ached as each kind word and vow rolled off his tongue. Hayes was steady and calm. That kind of outlaw peace was rare.

“Thank you,” I croaked as I blinked back tears. “I can’t say this was part of my plan for the year…”

“But?”

I twined our fingers together. “But I wouldn’t do it with anyone else. And if it had to be anyone, I’m glad it was you.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled as he pressed a kiss to my temple, then the top of my head. He reached for the tray that was on the coffee table in front of us and picked up the white opera gloves that matched my dress. He opened them—one, then the other—and helped me wiggle my hands into each glove.

Hayes picked up the engagement ring and slid it onto my hand. “I almost forgot.” He reached into his suit jacket again and handed me his wedding band. “I have yours, but the officiant said you were supposed to hold on to mine.”

“Good thing Savannah found me a dress with pockets,” I said as I slipped it into one that was hidden in a seam.