“If you prefer, I’ll undress you and then propose.” Connor winked.
“But.” She ran her fingers through her wild hair and her heart galloped at blast pace. “You’re not joking, are you?”
“No joke, sweetheart. Let me get in position, and please, don’t interrupt until I’m finished.” He got on his knees and took both of her hands, holding them together. The dying fire reflected off his luminous blue eyes and his face was open and adoring.
She could only nod and wait. This moment would be as important as her first breath of life. No matter what happened, she would etch this in her mind, never to forget.
She focused on him and the intense way he was beholding her. He caressed her hand, reassuring her that he was serious, that this was real.
“Nadine Hunter Woo, before I met you, I was a man on the outside, but a coward on the inside. I was quick to bust heads, say ‘no,’ bark cuss words, and make rash judgments. I was also stubborn, so very stubborn. I had one aim, well, actually two. I wanted to be a firefighter, and I wanted this one girl who was a bright and shining star.”
Nadine’s hand tightened but she willed herself to stay strong, to gaze into Connor’s loving eyes, and to hear him out without interruption.
“I achieved both, but while my career is an achievement, love is not an accomplishment. It is not getting someone, or owning someone, or having them, or making them yours. It is simply being. Being still and sensing it as it happens. Not making it happen, forcing it, or working at it, no matter how much you want. I didn’t learn that until I met you.
“You let me be myself, and you didn’t ask me for anything. You trust me and believe in me. You opened yourself to me, your heart and your fears. I know I’m technically not in a position to propose to you, but I’m going to do this, because I never, ever in a million billion years want you to think for even a fraction of a second that you’re the sidepiece, that you’re number two, that you’re the secret lover, because that is so untrue. You are real to me, Nadine. You and I. We’re real. So, if you’re still listening to this, and if you don’t think I’ve dived off the deep end, and most importantly, if you love me and want to live your life with me, then I’m asking you …”
Nadine gasped and her fingers tightened. She was all too aware of the thudding of her heart and the way the room wobbled. Connor Hart had tilted her world off its axis and as crazy as it was, she knew without a doubt they were meant for each other—meant to love and cherish each other. She gave him a slight nod, eager for him to continue.
“I’m asking you, Nadine Hunter Woo, to be my wife.”
Her knees weakened and she sank onto the rug, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. “Yes, oh, yes, I will be your wife. I will.”
She smothered him with kisses as he held her close, rubbing her back and smoothing his fingers through her hair.
She felt him smile and then he broke the kiss. “Let’s do it now. Tonight. Let’s get married.”
A sense of foreboding washed over her joy, tinging her with a chill. Was he speaking metaphorically? Was this a ploy to get her in bed with him?
Connor picked her up and carried her to the four poster bed like he had the night before. Shadows played on his angular face, and his mouth was set with a grim determination, almost harsh, and so much in contrast to his gentle hands as he peeled back the quilt.
“Connor? How are we to get married tonight?”
He leaned over her and kissed her. “You didn’t think I was going to take what wasn’t mine, did you? Tonight might be too soon because I bet the wedding chapels in Reno are closed, and it’ll take us maybe two to three hours to get there in the morning.”
“So, we’re going to sleep?” Nadine wasn’t sure she could with all the excitement.
“Of course. I want to do the right thing, so I want you to sleep on it.” He kissed her lightly. Again, he tucked her in and smoothed the covers over her. “I’ll bring your kitty in for tonight, but tomorrow night, you’re going to be all mine. Good night.”
Wow. Just wow. Tomorrow she would be married to Connor Hart. Unbelievable. Incredible. Stupendous.
“Good night,” she barely breathed. “I can’t wait.”
“Me either. See you in the morning.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Connor’s truck twisted and turned its way toward Interstate 80. It was early, very early, but Nadine wasn’t sure if she’d slept a wink. A faint glow from the sunrise peeked between the trees and ridges of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Nadine shivered despite the heater blasting on her side of the truck. Even though Greyheart was safely ensconced in his pet carrier, Cinder insisted on hanging out the back window of Connor’s extended cab pickup.
“We’re going to do this, right?” Nadine checked Connor’s profile. His face was relaxed and he didn’t appear nearly as stressed as she was.
“That’s where we’re heading,” he said. “Me, my truck, my woman, my dog, and our cat.”
“Wow, aren’t we being possessive?” Nadine snickered. “Bet you almost claimed the kitty.”
“I should. His last name is Hart.”
“Actually it’s H. E. A. R. T. Greyheart,” Nadine countered.
“I knew that, but I expect the kitty to change his name too.” Connor shot her a cheeky grin.
“Then maybe we should hyphenate, will it be Woo-Hart, or Hart-Woo?” She laughed when he cringed at both.
Bantering with Connor was a heck of a lot easier than worrying about what came next. Even though she was over the moon excited, and this was a dream come true, parts of her were still hanging onto nail-biting anxiety.
She’d never been married before. Never even had a boyfriend. Never had sex. Never been brokenhearted. All of these first times were passing so quickly. How had she jumped from surrogate to bride in less than forty-eight hours?
“Will you take my last name?” Connor glanced over, this time not as confidently. “Hart only?”
His question made her glow inside. Nadine would bet her left eye that Elaine would have refused to take his name. She was, after all, Dr. Woo, and attached to the family name.
“I’d love to.” Nadine reached over and touched Connor’s shoulder. “How does Nadine Hunter Hart sound?”
“Like a vampire hunter armed with silver stakes.” He chuckled. “I love it. Nadine Hart. Connor and Nadine Hart. Nadine and Connor Hart. Mr. and Mrs. Hart. Wow, I sound like my parents now.”
“About starting a family, what are your thoughts?” Nadine watched as the sign for Interstate 80 came into view. Reno was only ninety miles away. She might as well get the hard questions out of the way.
“Not right away. That was never my plan.” Connor stared straight ahead after merging onto the interstate. “Honestly? I’d want you all to myself for many years. You’re not in a hurry, are you?”
“I never thought about it until, you know, the surrogacy offer. I never even had a real boyfriend before …” Her voice trailed off. Maybe this was too much information. What if Connor thought of her as a freak or a dork? “I’m sure you’re wondering what’s wrong with me that I’m so inexperienced.”
“Stop putting thoughts in my head.” Connor patted her knee. “I’m happy you have no one else to compare me to, but I’m surprised because I’m a guy, and I know you’re hot. Didn’t you have guys fighting to get a date with you?”
“I did, but when you live with your mom, you don’t go out of your way to meet men.” Nadine flipped the sunshade down to ward off the morning glare. “I should tell my mom before we do this. She’s going to be so pissed.”
“Yeah, well, so will my parents. But I have two sisters who are getting married soon, so my mother’s got her head full of wedding talk.”
“Are we going to do this? For sure?” Nadine’s heart jittered and she squirmed in her seat. She shouldn’t have drank the coffee this morning because now she had to pee again, and she wasn’t sure if Connor would mind all the pit stops.
“You having cold feet?” Connor looked back toward his puppy. “Cinder, get away from the window. I’m going to put it up.”
“Sorry, puppy.” Nadine reached back and grabbed Cinder while Connor hit the power window control.
The puppy squirmed and barked, bumped into Greyheart’s carrier and knocked it on its side. She then took a flying leap over the seatbacks and landed squarely between Nadine and Connor.
Nadine grabbed the squirmy puppy who pawed at her and slathered her with hot, wet kisses.
“Maybe we should take a pit stop,” Connor said. “We’re on the highway and we should have cell signal. If you want to speak to your mother, now’s the time.”
“I’m sorry. You probably wondered why I haven’t offered to let you use my phone. But the truth is I can’t find my charger and my phone’s dead,” Nadine admitted. “I do have to pee again.”
“We can call her from the chapel when we get to Reno. I’m sure they’ll let us use their phone,” Connor said. “I’m putting Cinder in the carrier no matter how much she cries. But you, sweetheart, I’m hoping you won’t be crying.”
“On the happiest day of my life?”
“As long as you’re sure.” Connor pulled into the parking lot of a gas station with a convenience store. “Because this is who I am, nothing fancy, nothing bright. Just a regular guy with a truck, a dog, and a big ol’ heart.”
“Your big ol’ heart is all I want.” The entire package wasn’t bad either. He definitely deserved better than her heartless sister. Despite the thought, a twinge of guilt crawled over her. Elaine had thought so little of Connor, she’d actually encouraged her to pretend to seduce him. Get some compromising photos, she’d told Nadine before handing her the car keys. Then when you get pregnant, Dad will freak.
Nope, Connor definitely deserved a woman who’d love him entirely and not play games with him. Her heart fluttered warmly, and despite the puppy wiggling between them, Nadine unstrapped herself and snuggled into Connor’s side of the truck. He wrapped her in a warm hug while Cinder tried to get a lick in here and there.
“This is the happiest day of my life, too,” Connor said. He kissed her, closing his eyes and smiling. “It’s also the first time I know I’m doing the absolute right thing. I love you, and with us, love is enough.”
“Love will always be enough with us.” Nadine kissed him, cherishing the firmness of his lips and the invigorating scent of his aftershave. “I’m sure as long as you’re sure.”
“I’m more than sure. You’re the life I didn’t know I was missing. Now that I know, there’s no life without you, no joy when you’re not around, and no love in the entire universe unless it’s with you.”
Connor’s heart beat erratically as they drove down the main drag through Reno. Every hotel, motel, casino, souvenir shop and florist shop had a sign proclaiming it to be a wedding chapel. From the looks of it, even pawn shops could function as wedding chapels. At least they were conveniently located with signs proclaiming cheap diamonds, fast cash, and T-shirts all in one place.
Now that he had his bride ready and willing, he had to find the right chapel.
“Did you have any particular wedding theme in mind?” he asked as they drove from street to street.
“If my cell phone was working, I could be looking it up,” she said. “Maybe we should ask at a gas station?”
“Or, I could punch it into the navigation system and we can choose by name.”
“Great idea. We can drive by and see if it’s ‘us’ or not. I don’t really like the look of that one.” She pointed to a gigantic arch with bells on top. “It looks too kitschy.”
“Let’s keep driving.” He brought up his navigator and directed it to another chapel.
“Nah, that one looks like a funeral parlor.” Nadine sniffed as they peered through the window at the antique furnishings with angels hovering above.
Minutes later, they drove by an upscale casino with glittering spheres and fountains.
“Bet they won’t let Cinder and Greyheart in the ceremony,” Nadine said.
Connor resolutely searched for another chapel. This was Nadine’s special day, and he would make it special for her. “You know we need two witnesses, although at most of these chapels the other couples waiting in line help out.”
“How do you know?” She rolled her eyes at him. “You ever eloped before?”
“No, but I looked into it.”
“You and Elaine?” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought up the E-word.”
“It’s okay. That was right before she pulled that dirty trick on me—the one where she had me walk in on her and my best buddy.”
“What the eff?” Nadine slapped the dashboard and gaped at him. “She slept with your best friend? How did you forgive her?”
Connor rubbed his jaw, flinching at the raw memory. “I didn’t know it was fake, that they ambushed me and were acting it out, scrambling for clothes. All I knew was the punch to my gut, and the way I begged her to let me marry her, that I’d get a job, and she cut me down to my balls. Said I had no clue how expensive Boston was, that I wasn’t ready, that she no longer loved me.”
He didn’t mention his mother’s engagement ring digging into his pocket, or the way his friend had looked at him, full of pity.
“Oh, Connor, I’m so sorry. How could she hurt you like that?” Nadine rested her head on his shoulder. Her touch soothed him, and he drew in a slow breath, comforted.
“I’m over it now. Way over it.” He browsed to another entry in the navigation system. “How about this one? Wildwood Flower Lodge. It’s a little further outside of town.”
“You think they’ll let our pets in with us?” Nadine asked, wondering how many other dirty tricks Elaine had pulled on Connor. “I wish my mother were here. Wildwood Flower is her favorite song from Tennessee. Let’s see what they have. I’d like to get married in the middle of a creek holding hands on stepping stones with the water trickling downstream. Always steady like the stones, but always changing like the water.”
“I love the image you’re painting. We’ll have to have your mother with us then.” Connor hated the thought of waiting a minute longer, but he would not start his marriage off on the wrong foot. It had to be perfect and memorable. “Let’s check out this Wildwood Flower Lodge and call her from there.”
“I’d like that.” Her smile told him how attached she was to her mother.
“I would never want to come between you and her.” Connor gave Nadine’s shoulder a squeeze. “It’ll take her four hours to get here, and maybe we can plan something nicer than a quick Sunday morning ‘I do’ at a drive-through chapel.”
“Then we’re set,” Nadine said. “She can bring my wildfire tie-dye dress and white calfskin boots. Is there anything you want her to fetch?”
“Uh, the less people who know, the better.” Connor almost missed a turn. “Although I do want my family to be here, too.”
“Oh, of course. You’re very close to them.”
“I am, except I won’t hear the end of it. They all have their opinions and they’re very vocal.” He shrugged and took a deep breath. “We are supposed to be eloping.”
“Yes, we are, but with our families in tow.” Nadine seemed happy and satisfied with their decision.
“In that case, I want my Stetson, my turquoise bolo tie, my sheepskin jacket, and Timberland boots.”
“Then I want my straw cowgirl hat with the turquoise in silver headband.”
“Oh, in that case, Cinder should have a turquoise studded collar.”
“And is Greyheart going to be naked? He should wear a diamond pendant on his collar. Speaking of diamonds.” She blinked expectantly at him and giggled. “Don’t worry, I’ll take a big rain check.”
“You won’t have to wait long. I’ll ask my mother to bring hers. She promised to give it to me when I’ve found my true love.”
Nadine gasped and her eyes widened. “You mean you didn’t gi
ve it to …”
“Of course not. Let’s just say it was too small and antique.”
It was also the ring he’d begged his mother to let him give to Elaine. Thankfully, it had never left his pocket that evening in Boston—a blessing in disguise. He’d tossed the roses and turned tail, ran all the way down the Charles River and thrown himself back on the subway. The ring box had stabbed him every step—a reminder that Elaine was not the woman it was meant for. Now he knew.
“Oh, but it’s more special. I’m honored.” Nadine’s words underscored to him exactly how perfect she was for him. “You’ll really give it to me?”
“Absolutely. You deserve it.” He pulled over in front of the Wildwood Flower Lodge. As soon as he cut the engine, he swept Nadine into his arms and kissed her. “My mother will love you too, I promise. Everyone will love you because I love you.”
“No, they won’t.” She pulled back, her eyes wide and watery. “They’ll love me only because I love you wholly and completely.”
When she put it like that, there was no room for arguing. Connor caressed his bride’s blushing cheek, hardly daring to believe that in a few short hours, he would finally be a complete man—one whose heart and soul belonged to this fascinating and wonderful woman.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“You’re what?” Nadine’s mother shouted across the telephone line. “Where are you? Why didn’t you return my calls? I was so worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Mom, just calm down.” Nadine fanned her chest while Connor flipped channels on the TV in their small motel room. The Wildwood Flower Lodge was a cute little inn on a large wooded lot with a meadow full of spring flowers.
From the little bit of exploration they did while taking Cinder on her bathroom break, this place was perfect. There were two art galleries, several artists in residence including a community studio, and bluegrass musicians living in the cabin next door.
Luckily, the desk clerk hadn’t blinked when they’d asked if their pets could stay with them. At the moment, Cinder was playing tug of war with the ratty bedspread and Greyheart was grooming himself on the windowsill.
Spring Fling Kitty: The Hart Family (Have A Hart Book 3) Page 15
