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She squeezed his fingers, praying he understood. She wasn’t putting her children ahead of him, but they weren’t yet married, and her children were her first priority until the ‘I Do’s’ were said.
“I understand. I was a little disappointed you wouldn’t marry me tonight, but I understand your need to discuss our relationship with them. Would you like me to ask them for permission to marry you?”
Beth smiled at his genuine willingness to do that. “No, that will not be necessary. I am going to see them in just a few days and will see where things land after we talk. I will keep you informed.”
“Should I wait until after you see the kids to properly propose then? Once we get to that point, I would like you to wear my ring. I know some folks think it is archaic, but I am not a young, fashionable modern man. When I finally win a woman’s heart and her hand, I want her to wear my ring and declare to the world that she is taken.”
Beth chuckled, “Don’t worry, I will wear your ring, as long as it isn’t some hundred-thousand-dollar monstrosity. And yes, I think waiting until I return from Massachusetts would be best. Once I put on a man’s ring, I don’t take them off unless I am washing dishes. Well, I don’t wear diamonds at work either. The wedding band will need to be a simple gold band. That is getting ahead of ourselves.” She shifted over on the sofa and nestled against his side, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. “Thank you for sharing your story with me. I am sorry those women treated you poorly, but I am grateful youare available for me. I am not sure how I would have handled all the challenges of the past ten years without your guidance and support. Looking back, I took your presence and steadfastness for granted.”
“You are welcome. I feel the same way about your friendship. Our future is looking very bright, and I am feeling rather impatient to get it started. Part of me wants to call in a chopper and ship you off to Massachusetts tonight so we can get this done. How do you feel about an early December wedding?”
Peals of laughter shook Beth’s body. “Just like a kid in the candy store. You want it all right now. I will have to talk with Sarah about it, but I am thinking February would be the earliest. I do not see her and Tom agreeing to an elopement, and honestly, I want my family there. I don’t want to ruin the holidays by trying to throw a wedding together. If we plan for February, that gives the kids time to arrange their schedules, especially Tom, who has the entire Whispering Pine Preserve to consider every time he leaves town. You and I can decide if we want a venue, my home church, or somewhere meaningful and different, like the beach. Let’s enjoy a few months of just being together before we jump into being hitched for life.”
“Is this where I say, ‘Yes, dear?’”Chad teased.
Beth rolled her eyes. “According to my father, who was married to my mother for almost thirty years, yes. I never really cared for it because I felt like it was one spouse making concessions, and I prefer compromises and working together to reach a common goal. For now, rest assured I am saying yes to the future, whenever and wherever that begins.”
“Well then, future Mrs. Dr. Foxy, I will bid you goodnight before I kiss you in a non-momentous moment and ruin the memory for both of us. I will see you in the morning for the last day of our first grand adventure together. Sleep well, my love.” Chad pulled her up from the couch and held her in his arms forseveral minutes before kissing her on the top of the head and exiting her stateroom.
Beth fell asleep almost immediately, but her dreams were a collage of wedding themes and dress styles, which resulted in a splitting headache. She felt like a young woman again, dreaming of her big day and worrying about all that needed to be done to make it happen. Maybe an elopement was the way to go after all.
Chapter 20
The next day was their last day in Mexico. Storm clouds gathered in the sky and threatened rain. Once again, they made their way to the departure zone below deck after a simple breakfast in Beth’s stateroom. It seemed like after the first few run-ins with nosy dining companions, they had silently agreed to eat together in her room, enjoying quality time together without the stress and distraction of prying busybodies.
Their excursion was the first to leave the port and headed straight for the Mayan Ruins. The history of the ancient people who lived there was fascinating. The thought that something they had built so long before was still standing was awe-inspiring. It made a person want to create something that would stand the test of time.
In a way, marriage could do that if you left a legacy of commitment and love for your children to follow and their children. You were, in essence, impacting generations to come long after you departed. She hoped she had done that for Sarah. She was young when her father died, but what she had witnessed in those formative years was good. Now, she wouldhave the opportunity to show that same love and devotion to her grandchildren, along with the example that you are never too old for love or for a second chance at love. Both she and Chad had given up on love for a long time but now were enjoying the pleasure and security that love provided.
They spent three hours touring the ruins, then drove through a small town and had lunch on the beach at a family-owned restaurant. As the other guests shopped in the town, Chad led Beth to the beach for a final walk along the sand. This beach was speckled with large black rocks. They walked for a while before finding an outcrop of rocks that was piled several feet above the water line. Chad helped Beth climb up, and they stood looking out at the crystal blue water. Chad stood behind Beth, his arms wrapped around her waist, helping her brace against the strong winds blowing in off the ocean.
“I can smell the rain on the breeze,” Beth commented as a particularly strong gust slammed into them.
“I imagine we will be rocking and rolling in our beds tonight unless this storm happens to be heading in the opposite direction we are,” Chad replied, his mouth close to her ear to be heard against the wind.
He slowly and gently turned her to face him so that her back was to the wind and leaned in close so she could hear every word he spoke. “I love you, Bethany Elouise Thatcher. You have been my best friend longer than I care to admit and the only woman I have ever truly loved. I want you on your good days and your bad. When the sun is shining and in the midst of the storms. I will be by your side when we are home doing mundane tasks, at work rushing around like crazy people, and exploring the world, taking on new adventures. I love your children and want to be a part of their lives. I want to be at your side as we watch our grandchildren grow.” Chad reached into his pocket and took out a stunning princess-cut tanzanite ring in a unique bluish-purplehue. “With this ring, I promise to marry you. Any day. Any time. Anywhere. You say the word, and I will be there. This isn’t a proposal it is a betrothal. Bethany, will you accept me as your future husband and wear this ring on your right hand until I am able to properly propose and put an engagement ring on your left?”
Tears streamed down Beth’s face as she nodded her head, “Yes, I will accept you as my future husband and wear this ring until such a time as you actually propose. I love you, Chad!” She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight, causing him to rock back on his heels.
“Whoa, sweetheart, we almost went swimming. Let’s put this on before it joins other buried treasure at the bottom of the ocean.”
Beth chuckled, releasing him and allowing him to slide the gorgeous ring on her finger. He then cupped her cheeks in both hands and said, “Beth, I am going to kiss you now, and I really hope you don’t tell me no because I am at my limit of waiting, woman.”
“Yes,” she whispered, once again nodding her head.
“I never knew how much I could enjoy hearing that one tiny word,” he replied with a grin before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers.
Beth’s arms reached around his neck as their lips remained pressed together, simply savoring the connection.
Chad slowly pulled away, moving his hands to rest on her hips. Meeting her sparkling blue gaze, he asked, “Was that memorable enough for you, sweetheart?”
“Stop talking before you ruin it,” Beth said before pulling him down to meet her lips once more.
After a moment, they separated again, and an ear-to-ear grin split Chad’s face. “So let me get this straight. You wouldn’t makethe first move but now that I have a ring on your finger and kissed you, you are comfortable initiating kisses?”
“Don’t push your luck, buddy. I am not making any promises, but I do have a promise of marriage and a ring on my finger, so a few more kisses, at least, are in your future.” She winked at him as she made her way down off the rocks and higher up on shore, before the crashing waves could soak her shoes and her bandages.
They walked hand in hand back to the restaurant and the waiting tour bus. The storm rolled in fast and fierce, soaking them through before they reached the cover of the ship. They enjoyed another quiet evening together, eating dinner in Beth’s room and curling up on the sofa to watch a movie playing on the ship’s entertainment channel.
