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“I don’t have any reason for pretense or games,” she told him. “Do you?”
He stared into her eyes for a long moment, then blinked as he noticed something beyond her. “Wow,” he whispered, and he turned her so she could see what he did.
The full moon had risen over Big Falls, and spilled its silvery light in through the windows, drenching them both in moonglow.
“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” she whispered.
“Never.” The tone of his voice made her look at him. His eyes were focused on her, not on the moon. “Never in my entire life. Probably never will.”
And then suddenly, he dropped down to one knee in front of her. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “Kara, I know it’s only been a few days, but I don’t need any longer than that to know you’re the only one for me. And Tyler knows it, too. We want you to be in our lives. I want you to be my son’s mother. I want you to be my wife.”
Her heart seemed to jump into her throat and flutter there. “I don’t... I can’t believe this.”
“Marry me, Kara.” He held something up—a box. He opened it and the moonlight spilled down on the pear-shaped pink diamond she’d been admiring for the past several years. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
“How... how did you know?”
“The jeweler was very helpful. Even knew your size.” He took the ring from the box. “Will you wear it, Kara? I swear to God I’ll do my damnedest to make you happy. I’ll never ask you to leave Big Falls if you don’t want to. Be my wife. Be Tyler’s mom.”
She felt as if her world was spinning out of control, and could hardly breathe. And yet she heard herself saying, “Yes, Jimmy. Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”
His fingers deftly slid the ring onto one of hers. Then he bent over her hand and pressed his lips to it. He lifted his head, looked into her eyes. “Thank you, Kara. Thank you.” And he kissed her.
But he hadn’t said he loved her.
* * *
He had an odd feeling with her. The uncharacteristic urge to cradle her, to protect her. As if she was fragile or weak or in danger. After he’d popped the question, he held her in his arms for a long time. They danced, and stared out at the moon climbing ever higher in the sky. “I hope you won’t make me wait too long to marry you,” he said. Because it was essential he move on to this part. More than essential.
“I’d marry you tonight,” she whispered.
That was exactly what he needed to hear. “I don’t think your family would forgive me for that one. But do you think we could get away with Saturday?”
She looked up quickly, her eyes widening. “That’s only three days from now.”
“Yeah.” He smiled at her. “If I can stand it that long.” He sighed and dug deep for the gumption to tell her the truth. All of it. “But wanting you to the point of distraction isn’t the only reason I’m in a hurry, Kara. I have to be honest with you.”
She tipped her head to one side. “I didn’t say we had to wait until we were married to... “
“You’re a virgin. That’s an amazing thing. Sacred. I’m waiting.”
“Wow. You’re... you’re a special man, Jimmy. You know that?”
He shook his head. “I know Vinnie and Ang are probably running for cover about now. And they aren’t likely to try anything. But they think they killed Colby. That means I’m the only thing standing between Vinnie and a prison sentence. There’s still a chance Vinnie will try to make sure I can’t testify against him in court.”
She blinked, lowering her head. “And if something happens to you, Tyler would have no one left.”
“No one but his birth mother. I want you in our lives. I want you there legally, on paper, with my wishes recorded somewhere. There’s no one else I would want Tyler to be with.”
She nodded. “That means the world to me, Jimmy.” Pursing her lips, she nodded. “Okay,” she told him. “I’ll marry you on Saturday.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
“Saturday?”Vidalia Brand sat at the head of the table and looked at Kara as if she’d suddenly announced she was running for president. “You want to getmarriedonSaturday?”
“Isn’t it cool, Gramma Vi?” Tyler said, practically bouncing in his chair.
“Yes, it’s very cool, Tyler. Are you through with your breakfast?”
