Unveiled Treasures (25 page)
Stunned by the depth of their lovemaking, he held onto her until their breathing slowed to a normal pace. He backed away from her a little and hiked his pants back in to place. Bending over, he retrieved her black thong and held it out for her.
“Thanks,” she said suddenly very shy and vulnerable.
“Rachel, we need to talk,” Todd said as he tried to guide her to the sofa.
She crossed the room with him but instead of sitting on the couch, she hastily wrapped her coat around her for protection’s sake. She stood motionless, staring at him like a startled doe.
“Fine, you can stand then. I was jealous. The thought of you being with another man was more than I was prepared to deal with. I ran with that emotion instead of listening to my heart. I lashed out at you instead of listening to what you had to say. I love you, Rachel Hardy. I’ve been absolutely miserable and going out of my mind for the past month without you. I know it may be too soon but it feels so right. I was meant to be with you. I want to wake up in the morning and find you beside me. I want to come home at night and find you working on a new book or tinkering around the house or anything…I just want you.” He stopped talking and looked at her.
Rachel’s startled expression warmed into a smile. “Todd, I came over this morning to tell you I love you and I’ve been miserable without you, too.”
“You did? Then what was all this about ?” he asked confused.
She nodded her head, afraid to speak as the tears welled up in her eyes.
“Stay right here. Don’t move,” he said, running up the stairs.
Rachel stood in the living room of his house wearing a black lacy bra, matching thong, a leather trench coat with a baffled expression on her face.
Todd ran back down the stairs with a much worn, very small leather box in his hand. Rachel‘s eyes went wide as he got down on one knee and knelt in front of her. “This was my grandmother’s wedding ring. She gave it to me on her fiftieth wedding anniversary. She said I would know who the right woman was when I found her. Rachel Hardy, I would be honored if you would accept this ring and become my wife,” he said, opening the box.
Rachel gasped as she looked at the ring Todd held out to her. A marquis cut sapphire sat snuggled inside a small cluster of diamonds on top of a twisted gold band. “Oh, Todd, it’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen in my life. I would love to be your wife.”
Todd stood up and slipped the ring on her finger. “It is a perfect fit,” he said, smiling down at her. Drawing her into his arms, he held her close and breathed in the scent of exotic night flowers. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Rachel let the happy tears fall against his chest. She looked up into his eyes and held his gaze. “Todd, together we have unveiled a treasure of the greatest kind; a love that will last a lifetime.”
He smiled down at her and kissed away her tears. “I plan on making the most of my lifetime…with you.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“Like many authors, I started writing as a child. Writing short, creative stories was an outlet for my imagination. I also loved to read. My mom bought me the
Apprentice Adept
series by Piers Anthony because the first book in the series had a black unicorn on the cover and she thought I would like it.
I now live in sunny Peoria, AZ with my husband, two kids and two Great Dane dogs. When I’m not writing, I’m helping my husband run our family business. I’m a lucky woman, my schedule is very flexible and it gives me plenty of time for creating new stories.”
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