Trusting Jack (35 page)

             
She goggled when he came back with the plates.  “James made this?”

             
Jack grinned.  “One of his many hidden talents.”

             
“It’s phenomenal.  Now I’m doubly impressed.”

             
Jack poured two glasses of champagne with hands gone damp with nerves.  His legs felt weak.

             
It was time.

             
He sat both glasses beside Emma’s plate and

reached into his pocket.  He waited until she raised her

eyes to his with a puzzled smile.

             
Her breath caught when he went to one knee and opened the ring box.  Her hand fluttered to her throat.

             
“I love you, Emma, with all that I am.  I want you to be my wife.  I want to give you a fairy tale, a happy ever after.  Will you trust me with your heart?  Will you be my wife?”

             
Her eyes filled with tears and she began to tremble.  “Oh, Jack, Jack.  Yes.  I do, I will.  I love you.”

             
His own hands shook as he slipped the ring on her finger.  “It fits,” he managed.

             
“Because it’s right, we’re right.”

             
He pulled her to her feet and kissed her, slow and sweet.  Then he scooped her up and carried her to his bed.

Chapter 47

              They finally walked hand in hand into the VIP room at Tristan’s, looking decidedly rumpled and grinning like idiots.

             
“Looks like you two partied already,” Norah remarked dryly.

             
“Oh, you know how it is.”  Emma waved her left hand airily.  “A little food, a little champagne.  A little after-proposal sex.”

             
“After—“Norah spied the ring and pounced on Emma’s hand, squealing like a ten year old girl.  “Oh, my God!  It’s gorgeous!  That’s some serious bling,” she told Jack with a grin.  “Good job.”  She hugged him, and then snatched Emma into a tight embrace.  “It’s beautiful!”

             
“It is, isn’t it?”  She wiggled her finger and the ring sparkled.  Everyone crowded around, offering congratulations.  “It’s antique,” she told them happily.  “Commissioned in 1884 by Lord William DeVane for his bride, Mary.  It’s been handed down, and Lady Cecily inherited it.  But she passed last year, and there’s no one left.  Which is sad, but now it’s mine.  And I love it.”

             
“James was right,” Jack commented wryly.  “She loves the history more than the ring.”

             
“Do not,” she retorted.  “It’s just interesting.” 

             
“I thought I’d have to drag her off of him when we stopped by his place on the way here.  She latched on like a leech and went on and on about his culinary skills.  Made me think twice.”

             
“Shut up. I love a man who can make a fabulous desert.”  Her eyes melted when she looked into his face.  “I love you.”

             
“Looks like we’ve got a lot to celebrate,” Alison said.  “I’m going to get my party on.”  She kissed them both and led Jacob onto the dance floor.

             
Emma walked with Norah to the bar and ordered champagne.  “Mama cried,” she told her.  “Great big sobs, and demanded we come see her.”

             
“When will you?”

             
“Jack said he’d clear everything on his schedule and change my ticket.  So we can leave Sunday.  After that, we’re going to New York so I can show off my bling to Chris.”  She wiggled her finger again and grinned.  “He’ll be jealous.”

             
Norah sipped.  “I’m happy for you, Emma.”

             
“I’m not leaving you.  I still want to be your assistant.”

             
“Friend first, honey.  But I’m glad you’re going to stick around.”

             
“After New York, he’s taking me to Rome.”  She sighed dreamily.  “My fairy tale is coming true.”

             
Norah smiled in response as Jack walked up and slipped his arm around Emma’s waist.  “Dance with me.”

             
Emma nodded and drifted into his embrace, knowing this was the first night in a lifetime of happy ever after.

∞

About the Author

Beth has always had a passion for the written word.  When s
he’s not working at her day job as an E911 dispatcher, you can find her busily writing.  Trusting Jack is her first novel.

Beth lives in a quiet town in Mississippi with her husband, children, and a variety of pets.  She is currently working on her next project.

You can connect with her on
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(Beth Hale-Author)
and on twitter: @BethHale224