"I don't know how to thank you," he said at last. "This means more to me than the most expensive present in the world. Thank you, Darcy."
He leaned across the chairs to kiss her. He meant to kiss her on her cheek, but she turned her head and his lips ended up on her ear.
"Now we've finished opening presents, what shall we do for the rest of the afternoon?" Darcy said brightly to hide the tears which threatened to spill down her cheeks.
"Daddy!" Brooke sounded as if she was telling her father off.
"Oh yes, my present to Darcy." Travis grinned. "It's that flat one, Brooke."
With a frown for her father, Brooke picked up the parcel her father had indicated and handed it to Darcy.
"Thank you." Darcy stripped off the wrapping, eager to see what Travis had bought her.
"I saw the way you looked at the one I bought for Brooke, so thought you might like one, too," Travis said as the paper came off and a long slim box with a picture of a scanner emerged.
He watched her spirits visibly drop and wondered if she'd expected something a bit more personal.
"Time for another walk to get rid of all that turkey." Travis winked at his daughter, who made a funny face and rushed off to get her shoes.
TRAVIS PUT BROOKE TO bed that evening and Darcy heard a lot of whispering coming from the bedroom, but when he came and sat down beside Darcy on the sofa, he seemed unconcerned by his daughter's obvious impatience.
"You were disappointed by your present from me, weren't you?" He took hold of her hand.
"Don't be silly, I told you seeing Brooke was enough present for me." She tried to pull her hand away but he held it fast. The last thing she wanted was for him to realize how upset his gift had made her. His present had been so impersonal, it had proved to her that he had no strong feelings for her.
"Darcy, when I asked you to marry me, I forgot to tell you I love you." Frantically she tugged at her hand, but he wouldn't let go. "No, you are staying here until I've said what I have to say. Brooke told me off. She said you have to be told something or you don't believe it's true." He stared intensely into her eyes. "Darcy, I still want you to marry me. I love you, Darcy. I came to claim my daughter, but you crept into my heart."
For a moment, she allowed herself to believe his words, but then her common sense took over.
"Travis, I know you mean well, but I also realize you're only saying that to try and persuade me to marry you — but I can't. You wouldn't have thought of telling me you loved me if Brooke hadn't put the idea into your head. I won't marry you just for the sake of Brooke. I have to love the man I intend to spend the rest of my life with."
"Maybe this will help you believe I'm telling the truth."
Darcy had been staring at her clenched hands, unwilling to look into his eyes. Now he pulled them apart and covered her left hand with one of his own. She felt something slide onto her finger, and when he drew back, her ring finger blazed with a dazzling display of light.
Slowly she lifted her hand to her face, her eyes wide with disbelief. She glanced across at the smiling Travis and knew he'd thought he'd done the thing she wanted. He didn't love her at all. It was obvious he'd do anything to keep Brooke happy, even go to the extent of a loveless marriage. She'd have to refuse. Frantically she pulled at her finger, trying to dislodge the ring.
"I can't accept it, I can't." Her voice rose hysterically. "I won't marry you. I don't love you."
TRAVIS ALMOST GAVE up. Almost, but for both their sakes, and also Brooke's, he had to give it one last try. He stood and pulled her to stand in front of him. Holding her squirming body tightly in his arms, he kissed her.
At first she fought him, fists pummelling against his shoulders as she tried to make him let her go. Gradually, exhaustion forced her to relax and her lips softened and responded to his embrace. Her arms reached up and twined around his neck pulling him closer to her. Travis loosened his tight grip and one hand caressed her back, her neck and then reached up to gently trace a finger round her ear and down her chin.
She gasped and their kiss became more explosive as she demanded more from him, but he pulled away from her, although his hands still held her by the upper arms.
"Don't you dare say you don't love me." He gazed deep into her eyes. "That kiss proves your true feelings. Why won't you marry me, Darcy?"
TIRED OF ALWAYS TRYING to be one step ahead in the ongoing argument, Darcy sank to the sofa. As Travis released her arms and sat beside her, she started to speak, slowly at first, but the words came faster and faster as if she was trying to get them all out before she changed her mind.
"You're right, I do love you, but I can't marry you, Travis. You only asked me because you felt it would be a good solution to the problem of Brooke's custody. It's not necessary. I've already signed the change of custody papers. In any case, your plan would only work for a while. Eventually, you'd meet someone else and we'd end up in the divorce courts or tearing each other to pieces because we'd feel unable to separate because of Brooke. I can't do that to Brooke or myself, or you, for that matter."
"Darcy, you're wrong, I do love you."
"Stop it, Travis! I know you're trying to be kind but how can you possibly love a nobody like me? I haven't got money and don't move in the same circles you do. Besides, I'm not sure I want to leave my home and go and live in America. I like living in Timaru." Darcy had no more to say and the tears had been flowing for some time. Travis cradled her in his arms, talking to her quietly as he waited for the tears to stop.
"Darcy, when will you accept I love you as you are? I know you love me — you can't deny that — but I love you, too. I love the way you don't let me get away with anything. I love the way you've brought Brooke up. I even love the way you insist on having the last word. Tell me the truth. Do you honestly want to stay in Timaru for the rest of your life?"
"Do you really love me?" Darcy raised her tear stained face and looked at Travis.
"Yes, I love you." Travis spoke softly, careful not to frighten her.
"It's not that I don't want to ever leave Timaru." Darcy sniffed to get rid of the tears. "But I don't like the idea of uprooting myself to dash off to America. I'd rather get to know each other first. What happens if we find in six months we've made a mistake? I'd have nothing, and I'm not being selfish. When I say nothing, I mean I wouldn't have you or Brooke."
At first she thought Travis was mad at her. He had lowered his head into his hands and his shoulders were shaking.
"Travis. I didn't mean to make you angry. I'm sorry." She placed a hand on his shoulder and he raised his head and looked at her.
"I'm sorry, Darcy." He couldn't keep the laughter in any longer and it exploded in a loud guffaw.
"What's so darned funny?" Darcy demanded. "Here I am pouring my heart out to you and all you can do is laugh at me?"
"I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at the circumstances." Travis made a definite effort to calm himself, and he wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes before he continued. "You see, several months ago, before I even realized I had a daughter, I put in a bid for a job here in New Zealand. A few days ago, I had it confirmed in writing that the job was mine. I'll be working in New Zealand for at least the next twelve months, so that shoots down the last of your arguments. Now then, woman, will you or won't you marry me?"
"Well." Darcy pretended to think about it, although her heart was singing with joy. She quickly stopped pretending when he growled menacingly at her. "Okay, okay. Travis Denton, you are the most infuriating man I've ever met. You make me so mad at times, but then you make my knees go weak. You want to know if I'll marry you. The answer is — yes."
"Yes!"
They grinned at each other as Darcy's answer was repeated out in the hall, followed by a gentle thumping. Darcy put her finger to her lips and the two of them crept over to the partly opened door. In the hallway Brooke was doing a jig of happiness with a big grin on her face. Brooke saw they were watching her and she caught hold both
of their arms. Darcy saw Brooke's face glow with happiness as her niece looked happily up at her father and her aunt.
"Now we can be a real family," the child announced.
About Sue Perkins
Sue Perkins was born in England, and her husband’s job enabled them to travel around the world. After their children were born the family moved to Kuwait and then on to New Zealand.
Sue and her husband still live in the South Island of New Zealand. Sue’s first novel was published in 1997, followed by several more fantasy and romance books over the ensuing years. Many more stories are clamouring to be written, so look out for Sue Perkins books and enjoy.
Read more about Sue at http:www.sueperkinsauthor.com
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