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“But marriage?” She stared at the ring, mesmerized by the diamond’s sparkle.
Here was proof that Liam’s proposal wasn’t something impulsive and reckless. He’d come prepared to ask her to marry him. And yet he hadn’t said anything about love.
“It’s been on my mind constantly since we came back from Colorado.”
Hearing she hadn’t been the only one who’d felt the connection they’d established that snowy weekend eased her mind somewhat. She dismounted and surrendered Daisy to the groom as well. Her feet barely touched the dirt as she walked the short distance to Liam and took the hand he held outstretched.
He tugged her to him and lifted her chin with gentle fingers until their gazes met. “You fill my thoughts when we’re apart and make me mad with longing to take you in my arms when we’re together.”
Liam’s assertion awakened a deep, profound thrumming in her heart. “I know the feeling,” she said, lifting onto her toes to offer him a single kiss. “I’d better get back to Maggie.”
He wrapped a strong arm around her waist and held her snug against his muscular chest. “Will you stay tonight?”
“I can’t. I’m having dinner with Kori.”
“Afterward?”
She laughed and danced beyond his reach. “I’ve been neglecting the other guy in my life so I’m going to sleep with him.”
“That guy better be Waldo,” he growled, but his eyes sparkled with amusement below lowered brows.
“I don’t have time for anyone else.”
“Bring him with you when you come back. It’s time you both settled permanently at the ranch house.”
Engagement. Moving in. It was all happening so fast. Her heart hammered against her ribs in a panicked rhythm. All too aware she hadn’t actually agreed to marry Liam, despite accepting his ring, she opened her mouth, but her thoughts were too scattered to summon words. He might have been considering this move for a while, but for her this development was brand-new and she needed to think things through.
One of Liam’s ranch hands approached, citing a problem with a mare, and Hadley took the opportunity to slip away. As she wove through the connected barns on her way back to the ranch offices, her mood shifted from giddy to concerned. She might not have said yes to marriage, but she’d accepted his ring and kept her doubts to herself.
What had happened to being practical? Falling in love with Liam for starters. How was she supposed to think straight when the man made her feel like it was the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas all rolled into one perfect holiday?
Thank goodness she was having dinner with Kori. Talking to her best friend would help sort things out.
* * *
Kori held Hadley’s engagement ring mere inches from her nose and scrutinized the diamond. “You’re not seriously thinking about marrying him, are you?”
“Well, I haven’t said no.” Hadley wasn’t sure why her friend had done such a complete turnaround. “What’s changed since last week when you told me to go for it?”
“Sex, yes.” Kori regarded her friend as if she’d sprouted a second head as she opened the oven and removed her famous shepherd’s pie. The succulent aroma of meat and savory gravy filled the kitchen. “Marriage, no.”
Hadley held the plates while Kori filled them. Her friend’s unexpected reaction to Liam’s proposal was disheartening. “You’re right. It’s moving too fast.”
“For you, yes.” Kori and Scott had taken about a month to decide they wanted to be together forever. But they’d spent four years planning and saving money for their wedding.
“What if it feels right?” Hadley set the plates on the table while Kori followed with the salad.
“Did Noah feel right?”
Noah had been about safety. She’d been second-guessing her decision to change careers and had been worried about money. The notion of marrying a stable man had taken that burden off her shoulders.
“At the time.” Hadley had no trouble admitting the truth of her failing. In the last five years she’d done a lot of soul-searching to understand why she’d failed to see that Noah was more interested in a mother for his children than a partner for life.
Kori nodded. “You are the most practical person I know until a single guy comes along needing help with his kids and you get all wrapped up in the idea of being a family.”
It was her Achilles’ heel, and she was wise enough to avoid putting herself in situations like the one with Noah. Like the one with Liam. As much as Hadley needed to hear Kori’s blunt summary of her shortcomings, she wanted to protest that things with Liam were different. But were they?
Kori regarded her with a sympathetic expression while she topped off their wineglasses. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear.”
