In Two Weeks (NY State Trooper Series) (31 page)
“That’s sweet.” She slumped her head into the crook of his neck relaxing. “When I got around to taking the test, I planned on calling you.”
“You’d tell me that over the phone?” He snapped up his head.
“No, I would’ve told you I wanted to see you when you came back to get your other car. You’re not moving, are you?” She wrapped her arm around his middle.
“Nope, and neither are you. Well, actually you are. Please don’t tell me you won’t live with me until we’re married.”
“Oh, good God. No.” She laughed. “Poor Pen. She didn’t want to wait, but her father wouldn’t have married them if she did. He didn’t take the pregnancy too well.”
“I guess I wouldn’t have a pregnancy test lying around the house, would I?”
“I’ve got one in my bag. I was going to take it with Penny in the morning.”
“It’s the morning, so take it now, with me.” He leaped from the floor, pulling her with him. “Where is it?”
“Wherever my overnight bag ended up. Do we have to do this now? I can think of something much better we can do.”
“The bag’s in the kitchen. I’ll meet you upstairs.” He pulled her into his arms. “We’ll get to everything, I promise. But let’s find out if you’re pregnant first. I need to know.” He paused and looked at her soft blue eyes. “I want to know.”
* * * *
Ryan locked herself in the master bathroom, and read the directions three times before putting her sample where it belonged. She left the test strip on the sink, then pushed back the door.
“Well?”
“We have to wait five minutes.” She flung herself on her back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
“You’ve been in there for fifteen.” Jared rubbed the back of his neck.
“Read the directions a half dozen times. I don’t want to screw this up.”
“Like I screwed up my proposal?”
She slipped her hand under his shirt, rubbing his back, feeling truly at home for the first time in her life. “I didn’t know you asked.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “I mentioned it.”
“But you didn’t ask.” She smiled at his wide eyes. “And I certainly didn’t answer.” She scooted to the edge of the bed.
“You want me to do the one knee thing, huh?” He slipped off the bed and reached into his pocket.
Her breath hitched as she clutched her emerald necklace. She’d only been teasing him. She thought it was a given at this point, but she’d let him ask again.
He looked up at her from bended knee, holding up a sparkling diamond.
“Oh, my, God! Where the hell did that come from?” She reached for it, but he pulled it back. “Jared?”
“Stopped at the jeweler’s on the way home.”
She stared at him, her pulse beating fast and furious. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope.” He swiped at his eyes. “I think this is about as spontaneous as I can get.”
She gasped when he slid the ring on her finger. “It’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” He kissed her hand. “Regardless of what that test says, I want to marry you. Will you marry me, Ryan?”
“Yes,” she whispered, pressing her lips against his as he eased her back on the soft mattress.
He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. She felt his love right through to her core. How could she have missed it before?
“You’ve always been right in front of me,” he whispered.
“And that’s where I plan on staying,” she said, drawing his lips to hers, leaving the outside world. This moment would be forever ingrained in her mind as the happiest moment in her life. She’d once said she wanted it all, and now she had it.
And she’d never let it go.
Epilogue
Jared rolled his ring around on his finger, then glanced at the blue sky. No matter how long he’d been wearing the ring, he’d never gotten used to it. But he couldn’t bring himself to take it off. It reminded him of what he had almost lost.
“Da, Da!” Caitlyn squealed, stumbling down the pathway, arms flapping at her sides like a drunken sailor.
“I thought it was cute when she started walking. Not so much now that she’s running.” Ryan let out a sigh as she chased behind the little girl.
“Come to Daddy.” Jared knelt, holding out his arms. Caitlyn flung herself at him. He lifted her to the sky and twirled her around while she belly laughed like there was no tomorrow. “Say ‘Mama.’”
Caitlyn shook her head. “Da, Da.” She cupped his face, then planted a wet kiss against his lips.
“Mommy.” He pointed to Ryan, who smiled.
“She does this because you think it’s cute.” Ryan laughed.
“Onny.” Caitlyn pointed to the car.
“Did she say Johnny?” Jared stared at Ryan.
“Been working on that one all day.” Ryan pulled back the car door. “Show Daddy what you’ve got for Johnny.”
Caitlyn rummaged in the oversized pocket of her dress. “Ca.”
“Car?” Jared questioned.
Caitlyn nodded her head up and down in a wild motion.
“If you can say car and Johnny, you can say Mommy.”
“No.” Caitlyn pursed her lips.
“Come on. Let’s go visit your brother,” Ryan said, slipping into the car.
Jared buckled Caitlyn in her seat, then scowled at her. “Say ‘Mommy,’ please. It would make Daddy happy.”
Caitlyn pursed her lips, then tilted her head looking up as if she was deep in thought.
“That’s the daddy look.”
“I do that?” He glanced to Ryan, who just laughed.
“Mommy!” Caitlyn laughed, covering her face with both hands. “Onn! Ove Onny!”
“That’s ‘love Johnny.’ “ Ryan smiled proudly.
Jared never thought he’d be reduced to tears by two words a little girl could barely manage, but as he slipped behind the steering wheel, he had to wipe away the tears stinging his cheeks.
“I love you,” he whispered, reaching for Ryan’s hand.
She laced her fingers through his. “I love you.” She glanced over her shoulder. “So, you want more?” Ryan asked.
“More what?” He lifted his chin. “You’re not?”
“I think we need to stop at the drugstore on the way home and buy one of those tests,” Ryan said, her eyes dancing with joy. “But I’m pretty sure.”
“Really?”
“Baby!” Caitlyn bounced her arms and legs up and down. “Mommy! Baby!”
“I guess you and Mommy have been working hard today, huh.”
“She loves to play games.” Ryan shrugged.
“And my life just keeps getting better and better.” Jared cupped the back of Ryan’s head, heaving her toward him for a quick, but passionate kiss.
“Right back at ya, babe,” Ryan said, laughing.
Jared just shook his head, knowing life was as it should be, always having everything he needed, right in front of him.
THE END
Next book in the NY State Trooper Series
Dark Water
Other books by Jen Talty
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Imagine spending your entire life in search of the on woman you believed could solve the mystery of who killed your sister, only to find her in the most unlikely of places; in your office, as your new partner.
Local Sheriff Blaine Walker has spent most of his adult life trying to forget about the woman who broke his heart, but when he finds her hunched over her dead father’s body, not only does he lose his heart again, but now she’s the best suspect in a murder that doesn’t make sense. Blaine vows to find out who really killed Kaylee’s father and rekindle the flame that never died in his heart.
Short Stories by Jen Talty