Giving It All (26 page)

“I know I’m not the smartest,” he said, lying on his side next to her. “If I was smart, I wouldn’t have pushed you away.”

Hope surged in her chest. Could he be coming around? Oh Lord, oh Lord, please let him be saying what she wanted him to say. “True. That was really stupid.”

“You’re supposed to be gracious when a man apologizes.” He trailed a finger down her cheek.

“I’m still a little angry at you.”

“Because I want to protect you? That’s how I’m wired.”

“Not because you want to protect me. I’m mad because you don’t trust me.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’ve never trusted anyone more. You have no idea how hard it was to let you see me without my foot on. I haven’t been completely comfortable with a woman since I got blown up. You’re the first.”

“And I couldn’t be happier. I love your body, all of it, including the parts that aren’t perfect. That’s not what I’m talking about. Do you think I’m weak?”

“Excuse me? You’re incredibly strong. The whole town relies on you. Maybe too much. You don’t know how to say no.”

“That’s not what I meant. Do you think I run at the first sign of trouble?”

“Obviously not.”

“Then why do you think I’d turn away from you for having flashbacks?”

“I didn’t. I don’t. I just don’t want to accidently hurt you.”

“I don’t believe you.” She sat up and poked a finger in his chest. “I think you’re afraid I’ll run screaming and crying into the night, that I’m not strong enough to see you at your worst and stick.”

“You don’t understand.” He sat up as well.

“No, I don’t. And I probably never will. What you went through isn’t something most people experience, no matter how many movies they watch or how much research they do. I get that. But just because I don’t know what it’s like, doesn’t mean I can’t understand
you.
I’m not afraid of you, and nothing you could do will change that. Get it through your thick skull. I’m not quitting on you, no matter how many flashbacks you have or how many times you try to walk out my door. I’m not afraid and I’m not leaving.”

Grant looked at her, stared right into her eyes as if he could gage the strength of her convictions. Finally, he said, “You humble me.”

“Good. You could use a little humbling now and then. With all those women panting after you, someone needs to keep your ego in check.” Her heart thudded in her chest. Had she gotten through to him?

“Between you and my mom, I don’t think my ego stands a chance.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “I have a couple of questions to ask you. I had planned on waiting, but I’m afraid if I hold off too long, I won’t have any self-esteem left.”

“Somehow, I think you’ll survive.”

“Maybe. First, I wanted to ask your opinion. J.T. has asked me to apply to the Dale Police Force and join the police academy. Chief Birch is retiring in June, and J.T. is probably going to get the job, which opens up a patrol position.”

“I think you’d make a great police officer, and it has to be safer than working in an auto parts store.”

“No kidding. I don’t know if they’ll accept me, with the fake foot and all. But J.T. thinks I’ve got a good shot and I’m in shape. I can still run, even without the BiOM, I was running three miles every day.”

“There are marathon runners who have prosthetics, so I don’t see where you would have any trouble.”

“It’s a crapshoot, but depending on the answer to my next question, I’m willing to give it a try.”

“What’s the next question?” Ellie asked as Grant stopped her under a weeping cherry tree, its pink flowers dropping petals like a colorful snowfall.

“Would you be not only willing to marry me, but willing to wait until after I finish the academy to have the wedding?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box.

Ellie’s heart literally skipped a beat. Blood rushed in her veins so loudly she heard a rushing noise. She felt lightheaded and realized it was because she’d forgotten to breathe. “Yes!” She jumped into his arms, almost knocking him over. She peppered his face with kisses, laughing when cherry blossoms got caught on his eyelashes.

“You haven’t even looked at the ring,” he teased, kissing her slowly and deeply. “It was my Grandmother Anderson’s. She wanted me to give it to the woman I’d share my life with.” He opened the box and the beautiful ring made her gasp.

“Why didn’t you give it to Chastity?” She could have kicked herself for bringing up his ex-wife during one of the most romantic moments of her life.

“Because my folks knew she wasn’t
the one
and saved it for me until I came to my senses.”

“And what made you decide I was
the one
after all? Not that there’s a chance in hell I’m letting you change your mind, I just want to know.”

He took her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It was a little loose, but Ellie clasped her fingers together, keeping it in position.

“That’s part of it. You wormed your way into my heart when I didn’t think I had any room for love. Whenever I tried to back away, something about you always drew me back. I was miserable after the flashback. Everything I saw reminded me of you. I kept telling myself that I was doing it for your own good.”

“Ha!”

“Hey, you asked, let me answer.” He pulled her to his side and kissed her nose. “When we were at the hospital with Greg, I met another vet. He was at the hospital because his wife just had their first child. He was hit by an IED too. Lost his right arm and right eye. His scarring is ten times as bad as mine.”

“Yet he obviously is getting on with his life if his wife just had a baby.”

“Exactly. You don’t have to rub it in. Anyway, we talked. His wife was his high school sweetheart who he reconnected with after he got discharged. She saw beyond his injury to the man he was beneath the scars. I realized you never even saw the scars, you only saw me. Later on, I saw him again and we talked about flashbacks. He told me he’d gone through the same thing, but he and his wife were able to work through it.”

“When was this?”

“The day we went to see Greg. I was at O’Malley’s when my mother called to say you were at the store alone. God, that still pisses me off. What if those two thugs had gone to the office instead of Greg’s apartment? You could be dead.”

“But I’m not, and you were telling me how you decided to propose to me, not what an idiot I am. Please continue.” She poked him in the chest.

“So anyway, I thought about what you said, what he said, and my mom had her say too. But what it finally came down to, when I saw you walking into the woods today, was that I knew I couldn’t live without you. I’ve missed you so much. I want you in my life. I need you in my life. And you need me too. Who else is going to make sure you don’t work yourself into an early grave? Who else is going to keep you from disappearing?”

“I don’t care if anyone else sees me but you. I used to think I loved you, when I was in high school and mooning after you like the rest of the female population of Canton Regional High School. I didn’t. I only loved the idea of you. I thought you were perfect. Now I know you’re not, and I know I love you with every fiber of my being because of your flaws.”

Grant let out a huge breath. “You’ve never said it. You showed me you loved me, but you never came right out and said it.”

“You’re not the only one with hang-ups. I have a few issues of my own.”

“Oh, like you mean the need to do everything everyone asks of you? The fear of losing someone you love? Those issues?”

“Hey! What happened to you wanting and needing me in your life?”

“I absolutely want and need you in my life. And you need me too. We’ll struggle along with our baggage together. My mom told me—”

“Struggling together builds the foundation for the future?”

“She told you too?”

“Yup. She and your dad seem pretty happy together after all these years. I think I’ll trust her on this one.”

“My dad’s the one who told me to make sure I got my girl. I’m gonna listen to him too.” He drew her in for a kiss, his lips teasing hers softly. “I love you. I got my girl.”

“And I’ve got you. And I’m not letting go.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the love she had for him bursting through her. Her heart was so full, she felt like she was walking on air.

“We should tell your folks. Do you think your mom will let me call her mom after we’re married?”

“I think she’d be pleased as punch. But I don’t think we need to tell them. It looks like they figured it out.” He pointed to where his mother and father stood looking at them and waving.

Ellie could see Mrs. Anderson’s arm around Mr. Anderson’s waist as he leaned against the walker outside the kitchen door. Joy swelled through her. She was so happy to be a part of this family. So happy Grant wanted her to be his wife.

“Let’s go so we can celebrate. I’ll bet anything my mom has champagne chilling. I wasn’t even sure I was going to propose when I saw you outside, but she knew.” Grant wrapped his arm around her as they crossed the yard to where his parents waited. She fit perfectly against him, their strides matching evenly. The antique ring sparkled in the afternoon sunlight, gleaming on her finger as if it were made for her.

“I’m so glad your parents waited to give you this ring. I love it. I love you. I love them.” She laughed, her happiness overflowing.

“I’m so glad you waited for me to realize how much I love you.” He kissed her again.

“Enough already. It’s my turn to kiss the girl,” Mr. Anderson called.

Ellie laughed, breaking the kiss. “I guess we’d better go.”

“Let him kiss his own girl. You’re all mine now.” He kissed her again so she’d have no doubt about it.

About the Author

Arianna Hart lives on the east coast with her husband, three daughters, a Siberian Husky, and two Bangle cats. She loves to read, write and listen to live music. She can be reached on Facebook, Twitter, and loves to hear from readers at
[email protected]
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