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“Do you … have a relationship with him?”
“Once I started winning Ninja Warrior, he’d call after I won an event, I think mostly to have my half-sister Chelsea talk to me. She’s a big fan.”
“I’m sorry that he treated you and your mom like …” He couldn’t think of an appropriate word to express how poor of an excuse her dad was as a husband and father.
Still not looking at him, she continued, “He sent some child support, and my mom worked at a dental office during the day. We cleaned commercial buildings together at nights and on weekends.”
She’d told him that.
“My mom was so fiercely independent. She took the child support because it was for me, but she refused any handouts from the church, school, or government. I packed a peanut butter sandwich every day because she wouldn’t even let me have the free lunch.”
That was where she’d learned to be so independent.
“As the MS got worse, she could only work sometimes at the dental office. The dentist was very patient with her. I got bigger and stronger and was able to do most of the cleaning. We got by until I hit sixteen and could legally work full time in the summer and part time during school.”
“In addition to the cleaning?”
“Yes.”
“As soon as I graduated high school, I got my personal training license. I’d been studying every spare minute and took every class I could in high school on health, nutrition, fitness, and the human body. I love learning about it.”
“Your knowledge is impressive.”
“Thanks. I was blessed with the job with the Warrior Gym, and then Jason took over and I started training for Ninja Warrior. Anyway, long story short, my mom hasn’t been able to work for over six years, but I’ve been blessed to provide. When Aunt Elise lost her husband, she moved here and left her farm to her son. Our apartment was too small, but next door a one-bedroom was available. Aunt Elise cooks at the local diner most nights. She’s a fabulous cook. So we get by, but I learned, from my mom being so independent and my dad not caring at all, not to rely on anyone, especially a man.”
“I admire your independence,” he said softly, but how could he help her see a marriage should be a partnership? His mum had been independent and brave, but she had still relied on his dad and trusted him and vice versa.
“Thank you.” She glanced up at him.
They were silent for a beat.
“Macey told me I can be tough and independent and still love a tough and independent man. Do you think that’s possible?”
His heart started to race. “Well, that depends. Do you …?”
“Do I what?” Some of the spice returned to her voice, and he loved it.
He carefully slid her legs over his and held her on his lap, their lips very, very close, this moment of utmost importance to him. “Do you love a tough and independent man?”
She licked her lips, and her eyes were liquid green as she stared up at him. “Well, that depends … could you find me one?”
He chuckled. She laughed too, but then she arched up and kissed him—kissed him deeply and thoroughly and beautifully. She pulled back and admitted in a breathy voice, “I do. I love you, Derek. I think you’re the only man in the world who could be patient enough to gain my trust and my love.”
“I am incredibly patient.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled.
“But I’m also incredibly and deeply in love … with you. I love your strength and independence, Elle. I love how you cheered for me even if you didn’t complete an obstacle. I love how you put your mom and others needs above your own. Together we can be stronger than we can be apart. Do you believe that?”
“It’s hard for me,” she admitted. “But as patient as you are, I believe you can teach me how to work together, how to trust you, how to be worthy of you and your love.”
His eyes widened. “You are more than worthy of me and my love. I love you, Elle, and I’ll never walk away from you.”
He kissed her then. It was as beautiful and tender yet all-consuming as all their other kisses had been.
The sun set as they kissed, and evening softness and sounds fell around them. They were cocooned in their own world of love and trust and sweet, sweet kisses.
Ellery finally pulled back and stared at him in awe. “You’ll give up your family, all of this, for me?” She gestured around at the castle.
