A Life Worth Living
Page 38
With a finger to her chin, he lifted her head from his shoulder and locked his gaze on hers. “Do you trust me?”
Her answer was a very slight nod. He ached to be able to kiss away her fears, to instantly heal what hurt inside her. If there were a way to make her father and her prior boyfriends pay for what they’d done to her, Matt would have made sure it happened. She didn’t deserve to be hurt the way she had. God willing though, he’d make up for what they’d done.
Without looking away, he said, “You once called me stubborn.”
“And opinionated.” Her voice quivered.
“Yeah, that too.” He flashed a quick smile before turning serious again. “I mean it, Abby. I love you. I want to share my life with you. And your mother, too.” He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “I’m going to marry you, Abby. I’ll wait, no matter how long it takes until you’re ready. I’ll be right here for you and nothing’s going to change that.”
A tear slid down her cheek.
“Will you marry me?”
She looked away. He could see her wrestling between her heart’s desires and her brain’s need for protection. He wished there was a way to prove right now that it wasn’t just words, that his love was real. She’d see, though. If it took twenty years, he’d spend every second of those years showing her how much he loved her.
“You don’t have to answer now, honey. Just promise you’ll give me a chance.”
She slid off his lap and turned away just enough to send a signal he didn’t like. She was scared, that’s all. Just trying to protect herself.
“Milwaukee isn’t your home,” she said. “Fuller Lake is. It’s where your family is. Call your dad. Take the job.”
He worked hard to keep himself passive when inside he was a jumbled up mess. He knew she loved him. What he wasn’t sure about, though, was whether her love was stronger than her fears. “Fuller Lake is nothing but a dot on a map. My family will still be my family, whether I’m here or there. And the job may be one hell of an opportunity, but it’d be meaningless without you. I’m not going anywhere without you and your mom.”
Still turned away, her arms slid around her waist in a hug while her head tipped back. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and protect her from everything horrible in the world. He held his ground only because he knew she needed space to work on whatever she was wrestling with inside her head.
His heart pounded at every pressure point, trying to make its great escape. She had to say yes. That was the only outcome he’d accept.
She lowered her arms, and he knew his wait was over. She didn’t look at him. He shook his head, silently protesting the obvious.
“Fuller Lake is your home,” she said. “It’s your life.”
No!
She turned and looked at him. “I want it to be my life, too.”
The words hung precariously, like if he breathed too hard they’d blow away. His words tiptoed from his mouth. “And me? Do you want to be my wife?”
She nodded. Her mouth bent into her buy-these-gloves smile. “In a heartbeat.”
He held out his arms and she came to him. She nestled on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m still scared, but I trust you.”
The sweetest words he’d ever heard. He tightened his arms around her and smiled when she melted against him. “Know what our house is going to need?”
“Our house. I like that.” She rubbed the back of his neck, tracing her finger over his scar. “What does our house need?”
“A big, floppy-eared dog. Named Fido. What do you say we go to the pound tomorrow and pick him out?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“No backing out.” Not concerning Fido. And most certainly not concerning their relationship.
Her fingers stopped moving and she lifted her head from his shoulder. His breath stalled.
“Matt?”
He couldn’t breathe.
“Do you think you could use your connections and get a room for Mom in the group home your dad just built?”
He let out the breath. “Honey, if I have to, I’ll have him build a whole group home just for her.”
She leaned close and brushed her lips against his. “I love you, Matthew Lucas Huntz.”
He guided her lips back to his. Such sweet heaven her kiss was, filling his entire being. This life that he now had certainly wasn’t what he’d ever planned, but with Abby in it, it sure was one heck of a life worth living.
The End.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lorrie Kruse has always been drawn to books. She remembers the excitement when the Scholastic book pamphlets were handed out way back in grade school. She immediately started circling all of the books she wanted. Little did she know that one day she would write her own book. Being a creative person, it’s only natural that her creativity would creep out in the form of writing.
Lorrie’s reading interests have shifted over the years. Once she hit the teen years and moved past kids’ stories, she moved on to horror stories. (Three cheers to Stephen King’s wife for pulling his manuscript out of the garbage.) She’s also been a fan of romance, medical mysteries, suspense. Some of her favorite authors are Janet Evanovich, Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, Jane Porter, and John Sandford.
Lorrie is many things besides a writer. By day she’s a legal secretary (not to be confused with the illegal secretary of her evening hours). She’s a wife (to a wonderful prince of a husband, Brian) and a mom (to a non-furry two-legged critter (Tyler) and a very furry four-legged critter (Token, an Alaskan husky). Lorrie rarely sits idle. If she’s not doing one of the aforementioned activities, then she’s probably making jewelry or crocheting another pair of socks (much to the dismay of her hubby who says why don’t you just buy socks at Walmart). And, if there’s a wayward teddy bear in need of a home, Lorrie’s your go-to-gal, as long as that bear doesn’t mind living in a log home in the country in often-chilly central Wisconsin.
Lorrie hopes you’ve enjoyed reading this book. She would love to hear from you. Her website is: lorriekruse.com or email her at lorriekruse@gmail.com.