“Please.” He puffed out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Hailey. This wasn’t how I’d planned on proposing.”
“You’d planned on proposing?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t ask if I hadn’t been thinking about it forever.” Okay, maybe for less than twenty-four hours, but every day she was away from him he’d thought about how much he wanted to wake up next to her every damn day.
“Carter...” She sniffed, and he finally had the courage to look into her eyes.
This time he was the one with insecurities. “Wait. I want to do this right.” He stepped away from her and rummaged through his backpack. He found the small bag he’d shoved in there earlier and clasped it in his hand.
When he turned around, he paused for a moment to take her in. The light from the table behind her cast an angelic glow around her.
“You’re an angel,” he said, moving toward her. He reached for her hand then dropped to one knee, praying he didn’t screw this up. Earlier, he thought about proposing over dinner, then he tucked that idea away so he could plan something more elaborate. While she went out for her work meeting, he’d stuffed the ring in his bag, worried he was rushing things.
“I wanted this to be spontaneous, but I figured you deserved something more planned, more elaborate. But then I thought that would make you more uncomfortable. I debated what kind of ring you’d want.”
“You bought a ring?” She hiccupped and covered her mouth with her free hand.
“Of course. I’m serious about wanting to spend the rest of my life with you, Hailey. God, I love you with this passion I never knew existed before. I’ve given my brother and friends hell for the past however many years for being so in love with their wives. I didn’t get it... Until I met you.”
He released her hand and opened the small white bag, taking out a ring. He closed it in his palm before giving it to her. Again, he doubted himself, his rush decision. He bought it from the heart, and he prayed it hadn’t led him wrong.
“You don’t wear jewelry, so I didn’t know.” He took her hand again, stroking each finger on her left hand. “If you don’t like it...”
“Carter.” She lowered herself to the bed and sat. “Will you hurry up and ask me again so I can answer?”
“Bossy much?”
“Actually, yes. Yes, I am. And if you’re going to be married to me, you’re going to have to get used to it.”
Carter smiled, the pressure lifting from his chest. He opened his hand and held the simple ring between his fingers. “Hailey May Webster, will you spend the rest of your life with me, bossing me around, kissing me, touching me, making love with me, laughing with me ... loving me? I promise to do the same, minus the bossing part.”
“Yes, Carter. Yes, I’ll marry you, and I’ll even let you pretend to be bossy from time to time as well, as long as you always stay the way you are. I love you.”
“God, I love you too.” He pulled her off the bed, and she stumbled in to him. They both fell to the floor, Hailey on top of him, and he kissed her with new awareness. With lightness and a flutter in his chest.
He squeezed her hips, and the ring pressed into his skin. “Wait.” He looped one foot over her, keeping her trapped on top of him, and brought his hand around to the small space between their bodies. “I ... if you would rather have a diamond, we can pick one out. I’ll buy you any ring you want. In the meantime...”
He held the small pink ring between his fingers. Hailey slipped her finger through it. “It’s perfect.”
“It’s a rose quartz. The lady at the crystal frou-frou shop said it represents love. If you wear it near your heart it activates the heart chakra. I don’t know what that means, but I didn’t have a lot of time because you were on your way to the hotel, so I went with it. She said it promotes self-love as well.”
“You got this today?” Her tears dropped onto the front of his shirt.
“Yeah. After the event. You can always wear this like a necklace, and we’ll get you something nicer.” He threaded his fingers through hers.
“I love this. So much.” She lowered her head to his and kissed him. “More than you’ll ever realize. I can’t believe you went into a crystal shop.”
“Trust me. Me either.”
“I think I love you more for that than if you went to a fancy jewelry store. I don’t need diamonds, Carter. This has so much more meaning.”
“I thought about the peridot.”
“No.” She shook her head. “That was for healing. This”—she touched the pale pink stone— “is for love. Thank you.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“I already said yes. So is this what I have to look forward to? A husband who doesn’t listen?” She laughed and kissed him again.
“What was that?” He rolled her under him and returned the kiss, touching her everywhere with his hands, his mouth, his body.
His heart.
EPILOGUE
“Thank you all for taking time to throw us an engagement party.” Hailey looked across the campfire at her new friends, and across the lawn at the guys playing a rowdy game of horseshoes. “Carter says it’s nearly impossible for everyone to get together at the same time. This means a lot to us.”
“Tuesdays are a weird party night, but they seem to work for the bulk of us.” Hope sipped her wine and rested her feet on the rocks around the fire. “It’s a bit slower in small business land, and Tristan, Grace, Lily and you work more on the weekends, so this fits us great.”
“And thank you for hosting,” she said to Grace. She’d made Hailey feel like part of the family months ago before she and Carter were even serious. The blonde bombshell outer appearance she and Lily had did not reflect their sweet souls.
Lily was genuine from her core to the tips of her manicured nails, while Grace put on more flash with her acrylics and fancy shoes, but she was just as sweet on the inside. She and Mia liked to pretend they were rough and gruff, something Hailey picked up on over the past few gatherings.
“Any excuse to party. I’m grateful for another female in the Marshall family. There’s a lot of testosterone around here, and Mama Bear Marshall ain’t no delicate flower.”
“I wouldn’t call myself a delicate flower either.” Hailey laughed. “I’m probably more like her than you. No offense.”
“Pshh.” Grace waved a hand in front of her face. “You’re exactly what the family needs. What Carter needs.”
“Amen to that.” Mia held up her glass in agreement. “I never thought I’d see that party boy settle down.”
“Says the party girl,” Alexis snorted.
“Look at us. All happy and in love. This is so nice. I’m glad Carter found you, Hailey, and brought you to us. You’ll have to join our book club now, to make it all official.”
“Hey. I think I deserve some credit here. I hired her to photograph my wedding. If it wasn’t for me, we wouldn’t have her and neither would Carter.”
Hailey sat back with a warm smile in her heart. Devon and Rebecca would always be close to her heart, but they lived so far away and had busy lives. For the first time since those few years in college, she had real friends who cared about her and wanted to get to know her better. She’d struck gold and would never take any of these advantages for granted.
Jenna got up and filled her and Hope’s wine glasses. “Would anyone like anything while I’m up?”
“I’ll take a water. Thank you,” Hailey said.
“You’re not pregnant, are you? Because drinking water is usually the sign around here.”
“Mia,” Jenna reprimanded.
“What? It’s not like you all weren’t thinking it.”
“I actually don’t drink alcohol.” It wasn’t Mia’s fault for not knowing.
“I’m sorry. We shouldn’t either.” Mia set her glass on the grass next to her chair.
“I really don’t mind you guys drinking. I don’t have a problem with it at all. I used to drink a lot more when I was younger. It was an escape from
whatever I didn’t want to deal with. I wouldn’t call myself an alcoholic. I stopped drinking when I wanted to. I just didn’t like who I became when I drank. Maybe things would be different now, but I’m quite happy with my life, and I don’t feel the need to cloud it over with alcohol.”
The air around the fire shifted, and she watched as the women lowered their glasses.
“Wow. I didn’t mean to sound so preachy. In short, I don’t handle my alcohol well. I wish I did because I love a good lemon drop martini. From what I’ve seen, you all handle your alcohol a hell of a lot better than I ever did. I’m not judging or offended by your drinking. In fact, I’d be uncomfortable if you stopped because of me.”
“Well, then, bottom’s up.” Mia held up her glass in a mock cheer. “To Hailey. The better person with higher morals than the rest of us.”
Hailey appreciated her humor. With reluctance, Jenna, Hope, and Alexis held up their glasses. Finally, Lily did as well. “To new friends and new beginnings,” Hailey said, adding to the toast.
“Have you started thinking about dates?” Grace asked. She’d been nibbling on cheese and crackers instead of drinking the toast. “Maybe this winter? Spring, summer, and fall seem to be the busier times for everyone. Me included.”
Hailey only held her new position for two weeks, but already she liked the change. Some weekend travel but only within a few hours, and most of her work could be done during the week online or over the phone.
“Winter weddings are beautiful,” Jenna said.
“What about Christmas Eve? Or New Year’s Eve?” Grace asked.
“That’s kind of close.” It was only August, and it wasn’t like she or Carter had a ton of family members to coordinate, but she’d need time to budget and plan.
“Oh!” Grace sat at the edge of her chair. “New Year’s Day. Start the new year off with a new life together. How romantic.”
“Mind if we crash your party?” Carter came up behind Hailey and dropped a kiss on her neck.
“Not at all. Pull up a chair.” There were plenty of lawn chairs scattered across the area. The women shimmied back from the fire to make room for the men.
“Who won?” Hope asked as she propped her feet up on Cameron’s lap.
“Carter and I smoked them all,” Cameron said.
“Bullshit. They cheated. Ben and Brady sucked, but Ty and I could have taken them down if they hadn’t cheated.”
“Take it easy, chef. You’re still sour because your wife thinks I’m better looking than you, but that doesn’t mean we cheated.”
Cameron laughed. “I don’t know. Your tactics were a little shady, Carter.”
“What does he mean by that?” Hailey twisted in her chair and gave her fiancé the stink eye.
“It means every time someone else was making a shot, he’d come up with some dumb snarky ass remark to throw them off the mark,” Ben added with a laugh.
“And that’s why you lost?” Alexis asked.
“No. Brady and I lost because we suck.”
“I like how you paired off by common first letter. Real fancy, guys.” Grace patted Brady’s leg. “And I still love you even though you suck at horseshoes. You’re good at plenty of other things.”
“Speaking of...” Lily reached for the cooler next to her. “Now that we’re all together. It’s time to make an official toast.” She pulled out three bottles of champagne. “Oh shoot.” She stopped and eyed Hailey with concern.
“I brought some as well.” Carter leaned over the arm of his chair and took out a bottle from his cooler. “Sparkling cider. Is this okay?”
“It’s more than okay.” She beamed at him, not the least bit uncomfortable.
“I’ll let you do the honors.” Lily handed the bottles to Alexis and Ben.
“I’ve got cups.” Jenna passed around plastic champagne flutes.
“And I have chocolate covered strawberries.” Tristan set out a tray of beautiful red strawberries on one of the side tables.
Some were dipped in white and others were dipped in dark chocolate. So much for her carb count today. Carter twisted off the cap to the sparkling cider and poured two glasses.
“You can have the real stuff, you know.”
“Maybe some other day. Today, we celebrate together.” He tugged at her hand until she had to get up or fall over in her chair, and then he pulled her down to his lap.
“I love you.” She kissed him as she nestled into his warmth.
“Hey, lovebirds. Can I have some of what you’re having?” Grace stood in front of them, her plastic champagne flute empty.
“The sparkling cider? You don’t have to...” Hailey’s jaw dropped as she looked up into her future sister-in-law’s eyes. “Are you...?”
Grace winked and sashayed over to Brady, sitting on his lap as well, making a big show of her drink.
“Wait, what? Grace?” Alexis squealed.
Hailey hadn’t known her for long, but she’d never pictured Alexis as the squealing type.
“You lying bitch.” Mia shot up out of her seat. “I asked you last week, and you looked me straight in the eyes and lied to my face.”
Grace shrugged.
“What’s she talking about?” Brady wrapped his arms tighter around Grace.
“Are you really, Grace? Oh, I’m so happy for you both.” Lily rushed over to give her and Brady a hug.
Hope and Jenna followed suit. Meanwhile, Brady sat there with an utterly confused expression on his face. “Will someone fill me in on what’s going on?”
“Before I make a fool of myself,” Carter whispered in Hailey’s ear, “I want to make sure I’m interpreting this right. Grace is pregnant, and my idiot brother hasn’t a clue.”
“That about sums it up.”
“I’m gonna be an uncle,” Carter shouted across so his brother could hear.
Brady, God love him, cocked his head to the side and stared across the fire at Carter before returning his gaze to Grace.
“You’re...” He blinked rapidly.
“I am.” Grace wore a smug expression on her lips as she took a sip of her nonalcoholic drink.
“You’re pregnant? I’m going to be a dad?”
“We’re going to be parents. We’re having a baby.”
“We’re going to be parents,” Brady repeated. “We’re going to have a baby!” He shot up out of his chair, nearly knocking Grace on the ground, and then he picked her up and swirled her around. “How long have you known?”
“A few weeks. I wanted to be sure before saying anything.”
“How far along are you?” Lily asked when they settled back into their shared chair, looking cozier than ever.
“I’m ten weeks.”
“Ten? When did this happen?”
Carter snorted and muttered, “If my brother doesn’t know how this happened—”
“Shh.” Hailey giggled.
“Spring planting. Remember the picnic I set up for us down by the row of Jersey berries?”
“But we used—”
“Okay, TMI.” Mia, always ready to toast, it seemed, held up her glass. “You kinda stole Hailey and Carter’s thunder, so let’s bring it back to them. To the newly engaged couple. May your sex stories be more spontaneous than your brother’s.”
“Nice toast, Mia.” Hope shook her head with a laugh.
“And to Brady and Grace. God bless you, woman, when you explain to your husband how babies are born.”
“When will the baby be born?”
“Early March. Which is why I was trying to convince Hailey to have a New Year’s Day wedding.”
“January first? I like the sound of that.” Carter kissed Hailey’s neck and threaded his fingers through hers, rubbing his thumb across the pink stone on her ring finger.
When the excitement died down, Hailey snuggled into Carter’s chest. “You’re going to be a wonderful uncle.”
“Mm, and you’re going to be the cool aunt who spoils your niece and nephew rotten.”
&n
bsp; “Quite possibly.”
“You’re going to be an amazing mother one day too. I see how you are with the children at your fundraisers. You’re a natural.”
Having children hadn’t been on her radar, but being married to a man like Carter and being surrounded by such terrific couples who were wonderful parents and people, she now envisioned their future as more than man and wife.
Someday they’d be Mom and Dad as well.
A family.
THE END
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Acknowledgements
This book was a bittersweet one to write. While I’ve anxiously awaited Carter’s story to evolve, it also meant the end of my Well Paired series. Thank you to my wonderful, fabulous readers for asking for MORE! I had planned on only three books in this series, but thanks to YOU, there are seven. So, thank you readers for insisting I write these stories. Crystal Cove, Maine is incredibly real to me, and I hope it is to you as well.
Once again, I must give a super loud shout out to Zorvino Winery in Sandown, New Hampshire for being my inspiration. The family-run winery not only has THE BEST and MOST CREATIVE wines, but everyone there is absolutely fabulous, and the vineyard itself is simply stunning.
While Coastal Vines is loosely modeled after Zorvino, the town of Crystal Cove is somewhat modeled after the beautiful town of Lincolnville, Maine. I fell in love with the small town when I did a book signing at the local bookstore, Beyond the Sea and from there I blended Zorvino and Lincolnville.
All of You (A Well Paired Novel Book 7) Page 25
