Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“I think I found a favorite new dessert.”
Laughing, I zipped my pants and took the towel into the laundry room. When I returned, Haven was moving about the kitchen with a smile and a glow on her cheeks. I paused for a moment to take in the sight before me. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I could love someone as much as I loved Haven Larson. She was more precious to me than the air I breathed.
“Rolls are done!” she said as I walked up to the stove and stirred the soup.
“Soup is done as well. You get the bowls, and I’ll cut up an avocado.”
After eating, we went to the family room, where I poured two beers while Haven looked for a movie.
“How about The Polar Express?” Haven asked as she snuggled under a blanket.
“I haven’t seen that in years.”
She grinned. “So yes?”
“Sounds good to me. Do you want popcorn?”
“Do we have any Milk Duds?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “I’m afraid you’ve eaten them all.”
She frowned. “I’ll pass then.”
I handed her the beer, and she took a drink and set it on the table beside her.
Once we settled in and the movie started, I noticed Haven struggling to stay awake. She had to be exhausted after the shit day she had. I turned off the movie, picked her up, and carried her upstairs to our bedroom.
Our bedroom.
“Nate,” she whispered as I gently set her on the bed and covered her up.
“Shh, go to sleep, princess.”
She sank into the pillow and mumbled, “The movie.”
“Can wait until tomorrow night. Get some sleep.”
It didn’t take long for her to fall back asleep. I pulled the chair in the corner of the room closer to the bed and sat down. I was mesmerized by watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful and content. I wanted her to feel that way for the rest of her life. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before I got up and walked into my closet. Bending down, I pulled the small safe out and opened it. The first thing I saw was the blue jewelry box.
Reaching for it, I sat down on the floor and opened it. Twelve mine-cut diamonds surrounded the oval sapphire set in a platinum band. It was one of the most beautiful rings I had ever seen. I took it out of the box and held it up. My mother had given me the ring a year ago and told me to hang onto it for when I finally met the one woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Truth be told, the first person I thought of when she showed it to me was Haven. Her favorite color was blue, and I couldn’t help but think how stunning the ring would look on her finger. I had taken the ring without arguing with my mother. It had been her grandmother’s ring. Her father had given it to her, and she held onto it for me to give to the woman I wanted to marry.
I stood, the ring in my hand, and walked back into the bedroom. Sitting back in the chair, I watched as Haven slept. This woman had wrecked me in the most beautiful way. She was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and I knew that down to the depths of my soul.
Closing my hand around the ring, I stood and walked over to the side of the bed. Leaning down, I gently kissed her on the forehead.
“I’m going to marry you someday, Haven Larson. And I promise to love you with my entire heart, forever. Merry Christmas.”
Chapter Twenty-One
HAVEN
“Haven, we’re going to be late!” Nate called.
I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror and exhaled. “This is it. This is the moment.”
“Haven? We’re going to be late,” Nate said as he walked into the bathroom. “What’s wrong?”
My eyes met his in the mirror. “What if no one shows up?”
He laughed. “What are you talking about? You’ve already sold how many memberships?”
“A lot.”
“Yes, a lot. People are going to be there. Besides, it’s open for all the public today, so that means even more people will be there to see what it’s all about.”
Turning, I nodded my head. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’m just nervous.”
He took my hands in his. “I would be worried if you weren’t nervous.”
I forced myself to smile. “It feels like it’s taken forever to get here, and at the same time, it feels like the last seven months have flown by.”
Nate returned my smile. “A lot has happened, hasn’t it? Rose had Milly. Mackenzie had Tyson, and Lily is pregnant again and due in a few weeks.”
“Josh and Sophia are getting married in a few months. My mother and Doug got engaged,” I said with a slight laugh. “Lots of things have happened. I’m so happy Doug could get this done as quickly as he did with the winter we had.”