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Continuing down the hall he said, “That door leads to the attic. Part of it is enclosed storage and the rest is a game room. It’s pretty hot since I haven’t aired it out or turned the AC on but I’ll show you that later.”
At the end of the hall was a set of double doors. Pushing them open, he told her, “This was my parents’ bedroom and I moved in a while after Mama got her own place It covers one whole end of the house. It has a seatin’ area, huge closets, an enormous bathroom I remodeled last year, and another little office. The fireplaces all work. There’s one here and three downstairs.”
Walking to the seating area that looked out on the backyard and woods beyond, Gage pointed at the tree line through the large windows. “At night, I can see the lights on in your room.” He grinned. “Sounds creepy, I know.”
“I can see yours, too,” she admitted softly.
Turning fully to her, he asked, “Do you like the house?”
Rowan nodded. “It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen so much of it but I’ve always liked it. You must have been very happy here growing up.”
“I was.” Gage stroked his hand over her head. “I called about addin’ more security, Rowan. The technicians will be here this week to talk about everything I might need.”
“More security? It’s Daingerfield…”
“Keepin’ you and Benji safe is a little different than what it takes for average folks, Rowan.” She blinked several times, unsure what to say. “There’s plenty of room for Mary-Margaret to have her own suite with an office.”
“Gage…?”
“I’ve been talkin’ to James about the team that protects you. The space above the barn will work for now but we’ll need more long-term. I thought he and Nina could stay in your house. We can make a path through the trees to connect them. I know your place is crazy secure and I get why...but I also think there are ways to make this house work. We have tornado bunkers and tunnels from here to the barn.”
“I don’t...what?” Her heart raced.
“There’s plenty of room for the staff you have and the staff you’ll need. James can watch over you durin’ the day while I’m workin’ and the others can cover nights. We’ll figure it all out together. Whatever you need, Rowan.”
She rubbed her temple. “You realize I’ve gonecrazy, right?”
“Nah, sweetheart. You’re just dealin’ with sadness after givin’ birth. A lot of women have that. My sister-in-law couldn’t get outta bed for weeks after her third baby. Hell, I even see it with the cows sometimes. A little talkin’, maybe an antidepressant or somethin’, you start runnin’ again, and your mind and body will balance.”
Twisting her hands in front of her, she said, “I was afraid to tell anyone.”
“Rowan, it’s okay. Considerin’ how Benji came to be, how much you loved Bennett, it seems a pretty short leap to thinkin’ his soul is in your boy.” He held her shoulders. “He’s not, Rowan. James had it right. I think Benji is sensitive to how you feel, pickin’ up on your sadness and fear. One day at a time.”
“When did you start thinking about all of this?”
“Since you pulled up to check on Miss Jeffries.” Her eyes widened and he pushed her hair over her shoulder. “I know this isn’t what you had when you were with Bennett. I also know it wasneverabout money for you. Not with me the first time and not with him.”
“I don’t care about money…”
He grinned. “You got more now than my family could make in ten lifetimes but you don’t need it. I’ll take care of anything you need.”
Walking to the bed, he opened the nightstand drawer and took out a little box. Turning, he held it out on his palm.
“I’mtiredof livin’ without you, Rowan. I need you in my house while you do your charity work and we raise our kids. In my bed every night. I’m askin’ now but I don’t expect you to marry me anytime soon. I get it...I just want you to wear my ring while I show you how happy you can be.”
Shaking, she opened the box and gazed in wonder at the ring inside. A platinum band with an intricate setting of diamonds and sapphires. It was stunningly beautiful.
“Isn’t that…Sweet Pea’s ring?”
Nodding, he told her, “It’s been in my family for four generations.” He winked. “Sweet Pea was said to be somethin’ of a clairvoyant. That July Fourth wasn’t the first time I noticed you...it was years before. You were sittin’ with Sweet Pea for hours and I watched the way your hair moved in the breeze. You wore shorts and a t-shirt, runnin’ shoes.” He chuckled. “You were always in runnin’ shoes.”
“Y-you remember what I was wearing?”
“I stripped that outfit off you in my head for a long damn time. My mom got in my line of sight and told me you weretoo youngfor me to be lookin’ at like that and she’d whoop my ass if I so much asleanedtoo close.”
“What did you say?”
“I think I growled at her.”
