Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
“What’s going on?”
As Harbor rushes from inside the house to the outside deck where we’re all waiting, Loch turns and caresses my neck. “There’s no doubt in my mind that I want to marry you, but I should have given you a heads-up about my brother’s announcement. It was arranged five minutes ago. I understand how you could think I was making one of my own.”
Latching onto his wrist, I smile. “It’s no big deal. Really. Don’t worry about it.” It’s ironic that I ran from my last wedding, and now I’m running toward this one with him as fast as I can. I need to learn patience. I continue, and say, “I’m just feeling the love being with you and your family. My heart just got away from me. It’s all good, though.”
“I love you.” He turns so my back is to his chest. His arms hold me as Harbor calls Lark to join him.
“My beautiful wife,” Harbor introduces her with a smile that’s a mile wide like we all don’t already know who she is. Lark curtsies under a laugh and a roll of her eyes. She waves.
We clap, always the supporters when it comes to family.
He takes her hand and turns to her. “You are the love of my life, so I feel honored to not only be called your husband but the father of your child.”
Lark melts against him, her head tucked against the man who stole her heart.
Throwing her arm in the air, Lark says, “We’re having a baby.”
While her dad and the family circle them, I turn to Loch. “They’re having a baby.” I laugh at myself as happiness for them washes away any awkwardness I felt about this not being an engagement. “Did you know?”
“Yeah. I should have told you.”
“No, you’re right. This isn’t the time. This is their moment.” I hug him. “You’re going to be an uncle for the first time.”
Kissing me, he then says, “And you an aunt.”
I roll my eyes just like Lark. “Charmer.”
“It’s not the title I’m going for,” he replies, reminiscent of a conversation we once had.
While he brushes flyaway strands away from my face, I ask, “What title are you after, then?”
Loch once replied with such confidence that he wanted to be my boyfriend. Even then, the title didn’t feel enough for what he had already become in my life. “Husband and father of your children.”
It takes me a second and a few blinks to see the determination in his eyes to realize what’s happening. But it’s spying my parents coming out the large sliding glass door that has me covering my nose and mouth with my hands. Tears spring to my eyes. “You are not . . .”
“I am.” Loch lowers to one knee as I hear the oohs and aahs behind me.
“You had this planned all along?”
He laughs, wiping his hairline with the back of his hand. “You going to let me do this?”
Tears spring to my eyes as I drop my hands, cupping them around his and the box. “I’m nervous. I don’t know what to do.”
The light roll of laughter behind me has me laughing as well. Loch asks, “How about this? I’ll say what comes from my heart and then pop a certain question. You can answer from your heart, we kiss, and then live happily ever after.”
Although it’s all in jest, he comforts me like he always does, protecting me from the unknown because he knows I’m not that big on surprises anymore. He gets me like no other. “That sounds like a good plan.” My nerves have calmed, and I clasp my hands in front of me. “I’m ready.”
“Good girl.” Damn, he knows how to get my attention. He holds his hand out for me, and I happily take it without hesitation. “I wasn’t looking for love that random Tuesday in October, but it found me anyway. From that day on, I was a changed man for the better.” He looks down, seeming to get as choked as I am. When his eyes return to mine, he says, “If I’ve learned anything from what we’ve been through, it’s that we shouldn’t wait to start our lives when we know how we feel. We must act in the moment, make the most of every day, and love to our fullest capacity. That’s what you are to me, Tuesday. You’re love. You’re life. And I’d be honored if you’d grant me the privilege of being your husband and you, my wife. I promise to spend my life and after loving you forever. Will you marry me, Tuesday Céline Vivienne Schroder, and make me the happiest man alive?” He nods and peeks to the right. “No offense to my brother.”
I nod, the words not coming. He pulls me to sit on his bent leg and then opens the blue box that makes every girl’s heart skip a beat. “Loch,” I gasp again.