Accept Me

by Marion Ueckermann

  Riley glanced over his shoulder from where he’d opened a cupboard to grab two mugs. “Only when I know you can get around better on your own. It’s still way too early for that.” He spooned chocolate powder into the mugs.

  When Riley brought Haddie her hot drink, she scooted upright. Placing a cushion behind her, she leaned back and wrapped her fingers around the mug.

  Riley moved to the other side of the bed and sat down near the foot end. “I’ve been thinking…”

  “Uh-huh…”

  “When you’re done with the crutches, physical therapy, and walking boot… Well, I was thinking—”

  “You said so.” Haddie smiled at him over the rim of her mug.

  “Come summer, once you’re totally healed and able to walk properly again, how would you like to fly to Michigan with me? I’d love for you to meet my parents.”

  He wanted to introduce her to the people who had made him the incredible man he was today? This was the confirmation she needed of just how seriously he was taking their relationship.

  “On one condition,” Haddie said.

  “Anything.”

  “After we’ve visited your parents, we fly from Michigan to Kentucky. I want you to meet my dad. And I know he’ll want to meet you too.”

  Riley’s face lit with a grin. “Deal. Because I definitely want to meet him. I have some things I’d like to talk to him about in person, but they can wait a few months.”

  What could a person’s boyfriend possibly want to talk to their father about face-to-face? Oh, the intrigue.

  Haddie finished her hot chocolate and turned to set her mug down on the nightstand. That drink would definitely help her fall asleep. For a moment, she stroked her empty ring finger. No… Could Riley be thinking about having that talk with her father?

  When she turned back, Riley had curled up at the bottom of the bed. She didn’t see his mug. Had he simply passed out, exhausted, as he’d leaned over to set the mug down on the carpet?

  “Riley?”

  No answer.

  She opened her blanket and covered Riley. For a while she lay staring at him. Her gaze drifted down to his shoes. She hadn’t managed to cover his feet.

  Her mind drifted to the Bible story of Ruth, lying at Boaz’s feet that she’d uncovered. While Riley’s feet weren’t covered to begin with, she couldn’t miss the spiritual significance of this moment. It was as if God had opened up the heavens, just like she’d opened that ceiling on Saturday morning, and was speaking to her.

  This is your guardian-redeemer.

  And Riley certainly was. Not only had he saved her life—twice—he’d ultimately been responsible for Haddie being reunited with her family. And there was no doubt in Haddie’s mind that when he did speak to her father, when he did pop the question, she’d answer with a resounding yes.

  Yes, I accept you to be my husband.

  Yes, I promise to love you and be faithful to you always.

  When he woke in the morning, she’d finish her conversation with him. She’d not had the time to tell him before he’d dozed off that they wouldn’t need to book a return flight from Kentucky to Portland. She still had a road trip owed to her, and a slow summertime one from Kentucky to Chapel Cove with Riley at her side sounded perfect. Perdy would be in a horse trailer behind them while the rest of her earthly belongings would be packed tightly in the new SUV she’d buy after she traded in her small car.

  Besides, by the look in Riley’s eyes tonight when he’d gazed down at baby Emma lying in her arms, Haddie was certain that sooner or later they’d need the bigger, family-sized vehicle.

  Yes, Riley, I will make my home with you in Chapel Cove.

  Already she had more than a handful of reasons to stay. Hudson, Julia, Emma, Heath and Reese and their little one to come. She hadn’t even started on her nephew, Huntington, or her oldest brother Hunter, whom she hoped and prayed would return to Chapel Cove once he was released. Then there was Ivy, the bookshop, Aileen’s Pastries, and The Pancake Shoppe.

  Chapel Cove had everything she needed.

  But most of all, it had the man she loved.

  It had Riley.

  Epilogue

  Five months later…

  IT WAS hard to believe the summer vacation with his parents, and then Haddie’s dad, was over. But after six long days, or rather nights, of driving, Riley finally pulled Haddie’s SUV and trailer into the parking area at Thornton’s stables. With Perdy in tow in the horse trailer, they’d had to take it slowly, driving in the cool of night and then sleeping the mornings away. In the afternoons, they’d explored the area wherever they’d stopped. Then they’d drive, sleep, explore, repeat.

  Before leaving Kentucky, Haddie had plotted out their route and found accommodation at horse farms along the way. So during the day, Perdy got to enjoy the pastures of Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon.

  Riley’s mom and dad had fallen in love with Haddie as instantly as he had. He prayed the feeling was mutual regarding him and Roy Hayes, Haddie’s father. Riley liked to think so. After two weeks in Kentucky, he’d finally plucked up his courage and asked Roy for his daughter’s hand in marriage at the fourth of July celebrations in Harrodsburg. One week ago today. With only a day left before they would road-trip to Oregon, he’d had to make his intentions known. To his great relief, the man had been happy to give Riley his blessing.

  Bluegrass Stud Farm had been beautiful. Such a tranquil way of life—just the bluegrass, blue skies, and oh yes, a black and blue butt from riding. But he’d stuck to riding daily with Haddie and soon had worked through the pain. It hadn’t helped much that in the last two months before they’d left Chapel Cove, he and Haddie often rode at Thornton’s stables, because the time in Michigan had almost put him back to square one. Tash was so busy and she’d been grateful to have someone ride her two horses for her. She didn’t find nearly enough time to do that, she complained, but was working on a plan to get her mother to return to Chapel Cove. With help in the tack shop, her time would be freed up to devote more of her attention to the stables and riding school.

  Almost a month away from Chapel Cove, but finally they were home. And despite the comfortable leather seats, now Riley’s rear end was sore again from too many hours in a car.

  Tash ran out to greet them. “Morning! Welcome home. I’ve missed you two, and so have Myrtle and Freckles.”

  Riley and Haddie both slid out of the silver vehicle then greeted Tash with a warm hug.

  “Hurry, show me Perdy. I’m dying to meet her.” Without waiting for them, Tash headed to the back of the trailer. She hitched herself up and peered in the opening above the doors. “Hey, beautiful lady. Welcome to your new home.”

  Perdy snorted.

  “Don’t worry,” Tash soothed like a professional horse whisperer, “you’re going to make some wonderful new friends here, just like Haddie did.”

  She jumped down off the trailer and turned to Haddie. “Her stable is prepared and ready. I’m sure she’d love to get out of her small living quarters, even though this is a pretty deluxe horse trailer you have here.”

  “A gift from Haddie’s father,” Riley said.

  Haddie smiled as she stretched her arms into the air and arched her back. “Deluxe or not, I’ve no doubt Perdy has had enough of life on the road. My poor baby. But it’s over now, and we’re home—all three of us—safe and sound. Thank you, Jesus.”

  Riley slid his arm around Haddie’s waist and gave her a squeeze. He shifted his attention back to Tash. “Do you mind if I unhitch the trailer and leave it here until tomorrow? And would you mind settling Perdy in her stable? Haddie and I are exhausted from the journey. Kentucky is a long, long way from here by road. All we want to do is get home.” Heath had said Haddie could store the trailer at his place, but if they stopped there first to drop it off, they’d never get away. And he had something important to do—not that either woman needed to know.

  Especially not Haddie.

  Cas had his
special envelope waiting for him at the coffee shop, and he had something priceless tucked away in the side pocket of his daypack.

  “Sure, no problem. Unhitch and be on your way. I’ll handle everything.” Tash was already opening the tailgate latches. “Let me just get this pretty lady out first.”

  “Thanks, Tash. We’ll be back tomorrow to pick up the trailer.”

  “Perfect.”

  Back at Ivy’s, Riley and Haddie unpacked the car. Maybe he should’ve taken some of Haddie’s stuff to his place. She would either need to store a lot of her things or find a bigger place to call home.

  When Riley had set the last box down in Haddie’s small apartment, he drew her into his arms. “I have an idea. It’s such a beautiful morning, what do you say I grab us two slices of cake and coffee to go from the coffee shop and we take a drive to the beach and enjoy them there?”

  Haddie gazed up at him with those beautiful deep blue eyes of hers. “I’d love that. Although it was wonderful being back in the bluegrass of home, I have missed the ocean and the beach so much. It would be an amazing way to end our summer holiday. But I’d love to first take a quick shower and change my clothes, if you don’t mind.”

  He didn’t mind at all. He wanted Haddie to feel her best for what he had planned.

  He kissed Haddie’s cheek then turned her around, giving her a gentle nudge. “Go, get ready. I’ll meet you in the coffee shop when you’re done.”

  She grinned and walked toward the bathroom. “I’ll be ten minutes, tops.”

  At the coffee shop, Cas handed over the envelope she had for him. Riley paid her then took it to Haddie’s SUV. No way did he want to risk spilling coffee on that envelope. Cas had promised to prepare his coffee order and pack two large pieces of today’s special, carrot cake with walnuts.

  Riley retrieved his daypack from the trunk then slid the envelope inside. He moved the bag to the floor behind the driver’s seat. Once he was done, he returned to the coffee shop and awaited his true love.

  He hadn’t been waiting long before she strolled in wearing a white summer dress. Together, they headed for the car, Riley carrying the coffee and Haddie the small boxes of cake. She was as excited as a small child as they drove toward the ocean.

  Sitting on the soft sand, Haddie and Riley enjoyed their cake and sipped their coffee, the warm summer sun shining down on them. Above their heads, seagulls cried and in front of them waves crashed to the shore then rolled up the beach.

  Once they were done, Riley set the empty cake boxes and disposable coffee cups down in the sand next to him. His heart pounding in his chest, he reached for his daypack.

  “I have something for you.” Riley handed Haddie the envelope he’d retrieved.

  “Oh. What’s this?” A puzzled look crossed her face.

  “Open it.”

  Haddie obliged and pulled out the watercolor painting he’d asked Cas to paint from a photograph he’d emailed—one he’d taken at the beach the day Haddie’s walking boot came off. She had worn the same outfit as the day he’d spotted her weeping on the beach. That was a day he wanted to remember always. In retrospect, it was the day he’d fallen in love with Haddie.

  Haddie’s finger traced the single C in the corner of the painting. “Cas did this.”

  Of course she would know the young talented artist’s work—her paintings hung all around the coffee shop.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.” She leaned over and slid her hand around the back of his head, drawing him into a kiss. “It’s so beautiful.”

  “Just like you.”

  Her eyes widened. “Y–you think I’m beautiful?”

  “I do. Do you still not realize your worth, Haddie? You’re like that painting…priceless.” He slid his hand into the side pocket of the backpack and folded the small box into his hand. Rolling over onto one knee in front of Haddie, he sank into the soft sand.

  She began to laugh. “What are you up to?”

  He held out his hand. The small box balanced on his palm. He flicked it open and the diamond ring inside glistened in the sun. “It was your mother’s. Your dad wanted me to have it to give to you when I asked for your hand in marriage. But if you’d prefer to choose your own ring, then—”

  Haddie grasped his fingers. “No. I love it. I’ve always loved that ring.”

  He took the precious piece of jewelry out of the box and squeezed her hand. “In that case, Haddie Hayes, will you marry me?”

  Haddie scuttled onto her knees in front of Riley and flung her arms around his neck. “Yes, Riley, I’d love to marry you.”

  Riley slid the ring onto her finger. Then, gently holding her chin, he tilted her mouth towards his and kissed her.

  When their lips finally parted, Haddie sank back down onto the sand and gazed at the diamond. She drew in a breath and looked up at Riley. “There’s only one thing…”

  “Yes?”

  “Just how much of a hurry are you in to get married?”

  He’d marry her tomorrow, but he didn’t want to scare her off. They’d only known each other a few months, and he’d understand if Haddie needed a longer engagement.

  “Haddie, you name the date you’re comfortable with.”

  “A year from now, maybe? We do need to give Cara and Dad enough time to make plans to be at the wedding—they can’t just up and leave whenever they want to. Plus, I do selfishly want to devote more time to my newfound family without the responsibilities that come with marriage. Once we’re married, you’ll be my main focus. Not that you aren’t already the most important person in the world to me right now.” She pursed her lips. “Am I making any sense?”

  Riley leaned forward and placed a finger on her mouth. “My love, I get it. And I understand. You have twenty-eight years of catching up to do. So take the time you need, but please, don’t take a lifetime. I could wait that long for you if I needed to, but I really don’t want to.”

  She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

  Haddie fiddled with the ring, unable to leave it alone, or to stop looking at it. “There’s also the matter of the house…”

  “The house?” Of course they’d need a place to live and raise a family. Neither of their current situations would be suitable, at least not long term. He’d need to start saving harder to provide that for Haddie. Could he accomplish that in even five years, let alone one or two?

  “The old house behind the stables.” She smiled. “I’ve been sitting on some news for the past week or so myself. When we were in Kentucky, my dad told me that my mother had left a considerable amount of money to me in her will. Seems it’s not only my dad that’s well off. I never knew my mom had brought her own wealth into the marriage.”

  “H–how much money?”

  “Enough to put in an offer on that house—you know how much I love the place—and then some to renovate and restore it to its former glory.”

  “The old gem definitely needs restoration. The last time I looked, there was a hole in the upstairs bedroom floor and the parlor ceiling.”

  Haddie laughed. “Hmm, I think I remember that. Seems someone fell through the floor.” She sucked in a breath. “And we’ll have to make sure when we renovate that we have a library.”

  “Haddie, you can have a library, a conservatory, a study…whatever you desire.”

  “Thank you.” Her eyes twinkled with excitement. “Why don’t we plan to coincide our wedding date with moving into our new home? We could maybe even have the wedding right at Ramshackle Mansion.”

  “Ramshackle Mansion?”

  “That’s the name I’ve given the old place. Do you like it?”

  “It certainly fits. Yes, I love it. And I love you.” Riley settled down beside Haddie and took her hand in his. How good it felt adorned with the symbol of his love and the promise of his commitment to her. “You do know that house needs a lot of work.”

  Haddie gazed into his eyes. “I realize that. But all things worth keeping need work.”


  That they did. Never before had a Chapel Cove citizen needed him to save their life twice within a month. But Haddie had been worth it.

  “Haddie, my love—no, my fiancée, my future wife—I would love nothing better than to make a home with you at Ramshackle Mansion, raise children—”

  “And horses.”

  Riley squeezed her hand. “And horses. One or two.”

  Haddie stared at him, jaw dropped, one brow raised. “Riley, honey, would you be satisfied with just one or two kids?”

  Would he?

  Heck no. That house was big enough to fill it with half a dozen. “If you put it that way, we can have an entire herd,” he said, laughing.

  Haddie’s mouth curved. “Kids? Or horses?”

  Trailing his fingers through her hair, Riley drew her closer then lost himself in her kiss. Finally, he managed to speak the one word needed to answer her questions.

  “Both.”

  THE END

  From Marion…

  Did you enjoy Haddie and Riley’s story? Then chances are you’ll like the other Chapel Cove books too!

  Next up is Adore Me by Autumn Macarthur. To know when this and future Chapel Cove Romances are released, follow the series on Amazon (just click the yellow “Follow” button on the left of the Amazon page).

  Scripture References

  Dear Reader:

  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

  ~ John 16:33 (NIV)

  Chapter 2:

  “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

  ~ 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

  Chapter 6:

  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.