Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
His lips curve downward into an angry frown. “Didn’t we just have this discussion, Ava? About your family paying my insurance claim? I don’t take charity.”
“This wouldn’t be charity, Brendan. This would be a gift. A gift from me to the man I love.”
His features soften then. “You’re so generous, baby. But I can’t take your money.”
“What if…”
“What if what?”
“What if… What if we got married? Then it wouldn’t be my money. It would be our money.”
He drops his fork, and it clatters against the ceramic of his plate. “What?”
“For God’s sake, Brendan, don’t make me repeat it.”
“Ava, the man is supposed to propose marriage.”
“Says who?”
Brendan smiles then. A great big one that splits his face. “You, Ava Steel, would break with every tradition in the free world, wouldn’t you?”
“When it’s a stupid tradition that makes no sense, then yes, sir, I would.”
“You’re very sweet, Ava. But paying off a debt is no reason to get married. We’ve talked about this. I all but proposed already, and you turned me down.”
I look down at my plate. He’s right, of course. I clear my throat. “I didn’t turn you down because I don’t love you. In fact, I do want to marry you. I just want to get through all my family stuff first.”
“You’re not through that yet, Ava. I’ll repeat myself. Paying a debt is not a good reason to get married.”
I meet his gaze. “Being in love is.”
“Yeah, I reckon it is.”
I laugh. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say the word reckon.”
“I may be a townie, but I suppose there’s a little bit of cowboy in me.” He snorts. “That’s a lie. I think that is the first time I’ve used that word.”
“Let me level with you, Brendan.”
“I sure wish you would.”
“I didn’t think I was ready for marriage. Not for a long time. But now?” I gaze at his handsome face, his fair skin, his marble jawline, his full lips. And that fabulous red mane of his. “You’re the one. I don’t think I’ve ever doubted that. And even though I originally thought we’d wait a few years, I really do want to get married to you. And no, not just so I can pay off your debts.”
“Good, because Ava, I’m not going to let you pay that debt.”
“Once we’re married, it becomes my debt.”
He shakes his head, chuckling. “Then I reject your proposal.”
I shouldn’t be surprised. And I shouldn’t let my heart break. But it does, just a bit, because I do want to be married to Brendan. I really, really do.
“Tell you what,” he says. “Why don’t we get engaged, Ava? I’ll get you a nice ring.”
“How can you—” I close my mouth.
I was about ready to ask how he can afford to get me a ring when he’s in debt up to his eyeballs, but then I thought better of it.
“All right, Brendan. But I don’t need a ring.”
“Well, you’ll get one. It just so happens that my mother has my grandmother’s engagement ring, and since she has no daughters, she told me when I found the woman I want to marry, I should give it to her. And I found her, Ava. I found you.”
Warmth spreads through me, like a giant hug. “Oh, Brendan.”
He rises then, pulls my chair away from the table, and then swoops me up over his shoulder as if I’m nothing more than a sack of potatoes.
A moment later, I’m naked, in my bed, Brendan on top of me, kissing me deeply.
Until I gasp at a sharp pain.
“You okay, baby?”
“Yeah, it’s just my hip…”
He pulls away, looks down at the transparent covering on top of my new tattoo.
“Wow. A triquetra split with a lightning bolt. There’s got to be a story there.”
“I just got it. That’s why it still has the bandage. And yes, there’s a story.”
“Did it hurt too badly?”
“It hurt like a mother, but it was good pain. Pain I needed.”
“I see.”
“Do you?” I sigh. “I’m not sure I did until this very moment. All this time I’ve been thinking I was being challenged for who I was, but I believe my grandmother was trying to manipulate me into thinking I’m something I’m not. This tattoo reminds me that there will always be challenges to my balance, but if I’m secure in who I am, they won’t matter. I know who I am, Brendan.”
“You’re Ava. Sweet, simple Ava.”
“Simple?” I chuckle.
He traces my lower lip with his finger. “I mean that in a good way. You know who you are. You always have, and nothing changes that. Not your newfound knowledge of your genetic makeup, and not the fact that your grandmother reached out to you.”
“I know, and now I have this tattoo to remind me that sometimes life will throw me curveballs, but that doesn’t have to change anything.”