Winterfall (18 page)

“Hey.” He rolled her onto her back and hovered, his expression worried. He cupped her face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She smiled through her tears and nuzzled into his hand. “I’m happy. So damned happy.”

He grinned. “Good. So am I. Happier than I’ve ever been.”

Sex was wonderful, but the lightness and completeness in her soul overshadowed it all.

“What happens in our lives from this point forward?” she asked.

“We take this crazy world one day at a time. One step at a time.”

“That’s all we can do, isn’t it?” she asked.

He nodded. “But I’d rather tackle it with you than anyone else in the world.”

She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Me, too.”

“Stay with me here. Now,” he said softly as he sobered.

Because it was what she wanted more than anything, despite the chaos of what their lives might be now and in coming years, she had no trouble answering him. “Yes. Absolutely yes.”

February

Valentine’s Day

Gentle music played in the dining room in the hotel on the coast of Maine. Isolated from civilization in general, the Victorian hotel offered refuge for those needing a break from the rigors of regular daily life. Several couples already danced slowly on the floor across the room near the fireplace. Juliet sat at the small table with them and wondered what was taking Mark so long. After dinner they’d lingered, because soon their weekend break would be over and they’d return to Buckleport and back to working a new contract for Sentry Security.

Many challenges had faced everyone with Sentry Security over the last year, but many wonderful things had also happened. Mally and Adam had married at Christmas time last year, while Penny and Ian had married on New Year’s Day. And, if she admitted it, she wanted the same thing for herself. She ached with love for Mark, and while they hadn’t talked marriage, they were, for all intents and purposes as close to married as they could get. She’d stayed at Sentry Security, eventually renting out the house to an older couple who’d fled Arizona during Long Valley’s eruption.

The world was changing day by day and step by step. Some for the good as nations tried working together to solve economic and environmental issues. The United States struggled with so much of the country disabled and the fact so many hundreds of thousands had died over the last several months. The world, and the U.S., had a long way to go before true peace and mending could take place. In the meantime, Juliet returned to volunteer firefighting.

Her father had recovered from the stroke that had rendered him partially disabled. He lived in a small apartment of his own and worked odd jobs here and there to make a living. While they hadn’t totally reconciled, her father seemed to have been rehabilitated while in jail. She hoped one day they might be closer, but for now what they had would work.

Mark reappeared in the dining room, walking toward her with a confident stride. Tonight he wore a form-fitting sweater that showed off his excellent torso and jeans that didn’t hide his muscular body, but weren’t too tight. Warmth stirred within at the sight of him. Every day he grew more and more handsome to her.

When he got to their table, he reached for her hand. “Come upstairs.”

A little thrill jumped around in her belly. “Oh?”

He pulled her gently to her feet as he smiled. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Really?” She followed him out of the dining room and upstairs to their second floor room.

When he opened the door and urged her inside, he closed the door and locked it. Before she could ask him why they’d rushed here, he went to the dresser and snatched up a—what was that? A little red box? Her stomach did a little flip of excitement. So he’d gotten her a present for Valentine’s Day?
How sweet.

She walked over to a wine bucket where a bottle of champagne was nestled and two glass flutes sat. “Wow. Champagne? This is romantic.”

He snatched her into his arms with a flourish and dipped her. She squealed, and he kissed her. A deep, delicious kiss that made every part of her tingle.

When he let her up for air, she laughed and smoothed her palms over his broad chest. “Okay, what was that for?”

“Have a seat my love,” he said, smiling as he gestured to the bed. “And it will all be clear. I’ve been planning this for months.”

“Months? Valentine’s Day?” She knew she sounded doubtful, but she did as he asked. “What have you got there?”

He got down on one knee in front of her, and her heart did a backflip. He smiled, his eyes filled with love, and every fiber of her being went taut with anticipation. “It isn’t just Valentine’s Day. I love you, Juliet.”

“I love you, too.” She ruffled his hair. “Okay, if it isn’t Valentine’s Day then what’s with the champagne and fuss?”

He flipped open the velvet box and nestled inside was the most beautiful cushion cut Morganite ring nestled in an antique-looking rose gold setting and sparkling with white diamonds.

She couldn’t hold back the gasp. “Mark!”

“Marry me, Juliet. Make me the happiest man alive. I’m gonna die if you won’t have me.”

She flung her arms around him. “Yes. Yes.”

They fell into a deep kiss.

They’d said I love you many times over the months, usually more than once a day. They certainly never left each other’s presence without reassuring each other of that love. Now they could seal it with a promise that would bring the greatest happiness they’d ever known.

When they drew back from the kiss, he was already working at the buttons on her shirt, and she went for his belt buckle.

“Horny?” he asked huskily. “If I’d known this would work on you, I’d ask you to marry me every day.”

As her shirt fell open and she rolled down the zipper on his jeans, she said softly. “Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“Every day?”

“Every day.”

The End

Publisher’s Note

Please help this author's career by posting an honest review wherever you purchased this book.

Denise A. Agnew is the author of over 60 novels. Denise has written paranormal, romantic comedy, contemporary, fantasy, historical, erotic romance, and romantic suspense. Archaeology and archery have crept into her work, and travels through England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have added to a lifetime of story ideas. Denise is also a paranormal investigator, Reiki Master and Certified Creativity Coach. Visit Denise’s websites at www.deniseagnew.com and www.creativepencoaching.com