The Value of Vulnerability (48 page)

“I was going to wait until your birthday next week,” he murmured, “but after
Jordy’s comment, I didn’t want you thinking it hadn’t been my idea entirely. Can I tell you how glad I am I was carrying it around with me?” He grinned widely, then sobered. “Will you marry me, Erin?”

She kissed him, her eyes glazing with tears. “Yes, Ford. I’ll marry you.”

He slid the ring on her finger, pressed his mouth to it and then to hers. Retreating enough to meet her gaze, “I love you.”

It was the first time he had said so, since that night in Fort McMurray when he declared that—based on provided parameters—he must love her.

She didn’t ask if he meant it. She knew he did. However he defined it in that dark and complex heart, it was enough. More than. Words were great. Action was better.

“I love you, too,” she replied simply, and wound herself around him. “Hells, I can’t believe this is happening.”

“
You
can’t? How do you think
I
feel?” His head jerked back and his look of astonished wry amusement had her dissolving in laughter.

At last she mused, “It’s bad form to name a foundation after oneself, isn’t it?”

“Probably,” he said, unconcerned. “It really was just the setup to the proposal. But the idea is still valid.”

She considered the wisdom of organising her fragmented volunteer work into one collective effort
, but she would miss the challenges of her career if she left it. That over-dedication to work wasn’t because she hated it.

She thought about it all for a few moments, and then sighed happily.

It didn’t matter how it all shook out.

She pushed back his boyish cowlick, watching the strands of silky black hair as they divided between her fingers and around the beautiful ring.

“All fixed?” he asked.

“All fixed.”

They made love, made plans, and eventually slept.

The End

All my thanks to my beta readers: Nicole, Katerina Baker, and Luccia Gray, all of whom gave invaluable feedback on early drafts; and Jen Warren of
The Source
on
Goodreads
, who
suffered patiently through the last drafts with me, proving her editorial skills over and over again.

Other Books by Roberta Pearce

For Those Who Wait

A Bird without Wings

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