Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Are you looking for something specific?”
“Yes, sir. I’m looking for an engagement and wedding ring set.”
He smiles widely. “I have a decent selection for you to choose from,” he tells me, waving toward the glass case near the register.
The moment I start to scan the display, my eyes settle on a pair in the back row. “That one,” I state, pointing to my choice.
Again, he grins, reaching into the locked case. “Excellent choice, young man. She’s going to love it.”
He places them in my palm and gives me a minute to inspect the two rings. My heart is beating wildly in my chest as I gaze down at the simple pear-shaped diamond set on a rose gold band with small diamonds set within both rings.
It’s perfect.
It’s her.
It’s the ring.
And I’m going to love seeing it on her finger.
“I’ll take it.”
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Faith
I’m getting married.
Tomorrow.
I have a dress. It’s a white spaghetti-strap summer dress with lace around the waist. It’s simple and elegant and could easily pass for a wedding dress. It’s perfect, and as soon as I laid eyes on it, I wanted it. I was sure it wouldn’t be my size, but as luck would have it, it was. I immediately tried it on, and was sold. First dress, first store. I was one and done.
Hannah and I then went to the local florist and were able to order a bouquet that the owner made while we waited. Once we told her I was getting married before my fiancé was shipped off, she insisted.
My fiancé.
Somehow, overnight everything in my life seemed to fall into place. I have the job of my dreams, and the man, the one I’ve been in love with since the moment we met, dropped to one knee to ask me to marry him. Sure, it’s temporary, but maybe, if I’m lucky, we can explore this connection we share, and when he comes home, we can skip the divorce and ride off into the happily-ever-after sunset.
I’ll make the house we’re assigned a home for him. For us. Chad and I have been dancing around this connection for far too long. It’s time to do something about it, and the moment he dropped to one knee, I knew my answer. I was going to say yes to him, and then fight like hell to make this marriage permanent.
My hands are shaking as I reach for the hotel room door. Chad is already back. I saw the rental car in the parking lot. My dress is in a bag, so I don’t have to worry about him seeing it. Not that this is a traditional wedding, anyway. Our families are not even going to be here. I hate that they’re going to miss this. I only plan to be married once. Maybe, once he’s home, we can renew our vows or something?
One step at a time.
Pushing open the door, I step into the room that’s been my home away from home, during my time here. “Hey.” I smile when I see Chad sitting at the small two-person dining table.
“There’s my fiancée. Did you find a dress?” He stands and greets me with a kiss.
“I did.” I hold up the garment bag. “And flowers.” I hold up the bouquet in my other hand.
“Perfect.”
“What are you doing?” I ask as he sits back down at the table.
“Filling out paperwork for the wedding and married housing. They’re going to expedite it, but they can’t until after the marriage license is signed. We’ll have to stop and drop all of this stuff off tomorrow.” He signs a few more papers before handing me the pen. “Your turn. Make sure you sign Faith Anthony.”
I freeze, my eyes locked on his. “Okay.” I slowly nod.
“Date it for tomorrow.”
My hand shakes just a little as I sign my name, my new name, next to where the forms require a spouse’s signature. We’re really doing this. I’m going to be Mrs. Chad Anthony.
Once I’m finished, I hand him the pen. “We’re all set. I have my dress blues; they’re hanging in the closet. Everything is scheduled for tomorrow. Hannah and Erik will be there as well.”
“Is there anything I need to do?”
“Yes, actually. I bought a car today. We need to go pick it up and then take the rental back so you don’t have to deal with it on your own.”
“You bought a car?”
“I did. You need a permanent means of transportation while I’m gone, and a long-term rental would have been expensive.”
“What did you buy?” I don’t know how I manage to speak the words with the lump in my throat. He’s going out of his way to make sure I have what I’ll need while he’s deployed. My heart swells to the point it feels too large for my chest.
“A Toyota Camry. It’s a couple of years old, but only has twenty thousand miles.”