Before Faith had the chance to utter a response, Essie turned to me. “Everything in this house stays with the house. Make sure you shower her with all of it. I have some very lovely pieces that might even do her justice.” She smiled at Faith and then accepted my assistance into the drawing room.
Patricia elbowed her daughter in the arm whispering frantically. “What did she mean it would be yours someday? You got her money? How? What did you do?”
Dale grabbed her and pulled her back. “Not tonight, Patricia.”
That was the only bump in an otherwise perfect evening. The champagne was flowing, the people were merry (even Faith’s sisters were behaving,) and Essie was so happy to have her house filled with people that it almost brought a tear to my eye.
So much had happened in such a short time. Some of it sad, but most of it wonderful.
I was a twenty-six-year-old man with the world at my feet. I had a family who loved me, a couple of close friends, and the girl of my dreams. The only thing that could make it any better was one word. Yes. That’s it, one simple three letter word.
It was crazy. I started out this whole journey thinking S.E.X. were the best letters of the English alphabet, but it turned out they just very well may be Y.E.S.
***
Essie had helped me set the stage. The night outside was only marginally cool with huge heaters sitting sporadically on the back porch to warm any cold spots.
Some people milled around the gardens while others sat at tables conversing, and still others simply mingled with the other guests.
“Oh, Joe. It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”
“It is.” I pulled her back against my chest, closer to me as our heads tipped back looking at the stars together. She wiggled her lovely ass against me.
“Do I need to check you again, Mr. Starling?”
“Um. I think maybe you do.” I turned to the right a bit, as she reached her hand behind her to check the hardness of my cock.
“Oh. Is that a gun in your pocket or …”
“Actually, it’s a box. Care to have a peek?” I was going to propose to her in front of everyone, but being alone with her in a darkened corner of the patio just felt right.
Still thinking I was playing with her, she replied in a throaty voice, “Oh, I’d love to have a peek. You show me your box and I’ll show you mine.”
I turned her around and planted my lips on hers. When she was thoroughly kissed, I placed the box in her hand. “I love you more than anything, Faith.” I got down on my knee. “More than anything. There’s nothing I won’t do to make you happy and keep you safe.” Shit, I was going to lose it. I cleared my voice, trying again. “I…” Shit. As usual, she saved me.
“Oh, my God. I love you too, Joe.” She got down on the ground with me. Others had noticed, so we were getting the audience I didn’t really want anyway.
“Open the box, dear,” Essie said from the window inside.
Faith opened the box and gasped. Inside was a perfect diamond. Not too big, not too small. It was surrounded by emeralds in an antique setting. She looked up, directly into Essie’s eyes.
“Isn’t this your ring?”
“No. It’s yours. I don’t need it anymore, dear. It brought me many years of happiness. I hope you have the same. Now kiss your young man and tell him you’ll marry him!”
Faith looked at me with a look I wanted to always remember. It was the same look I noticed on her when I knew she’d fallen for me. She thought I could rope the moon.
“I would be honored to marry you, Joe Starling. Honored.”
I gathered her up into my arms and allowed that stubborn tear to fall where no one could see me. Never would I have believed a woman would bring me to my knees like this. It was, by far, the best way to be brought down, and I knew, deep in my soul that we would have a happily ever after.
EPILOGUE
MRS. ESTHER COVINGTON
AS MIGHT BE expected, Joe and Faith were married in my home. I may have pushed them a little to get my way, but I’m an old lady and should be allowed to throw my weight around.
It was a beautiful late spring ceremony. The birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, and the couple loved each other to distraction. It was a time for great rejoicing! I can’t tell you how it felt to have such love in my house again. I’d been alone too long.
When I found Joe Starling, I knew he was something special. He treated me with the utmost respect from day one, and he didn’t have to fake it. He truly is that good of a young man. I always knew he was too good to be an escort.
Faith was just the thing for him. And he for her. She made him want to be a better man, and he showed her that what others thought was often wrong. I really believe they were put on this earth to find each other, but what do I know? I’m just an old romantic soul.
I didn’t last much longer past that New Year’s Eve party, but Joe and Faith made my last days the most enjoyable I’d had in many, many years.
They grieved for me, but I’m never too far away. I peek in on them now and then. I especially love when I see Joe III sliding down the banister as Joe Jr. instructs him on how to do it faster, all the while making sure Faith is nowhere to be seen. Oh, those two get into some trouble together—father and son.
Faith’s very round with their third child now. Their second was a girl and to my eternal delight, her name is Essie. I know it’s a bit old fashioned, but I hope she’ll grow to like it.
It seems like with each pregnancy, Faith gets one or two more curves. She curses them while Joe smiles and runs his hands over them in joy.
Oh, and all their lovelies! They have even more than I did. I believe they’re up to three dogs now—one of them missing a leg—two cats, a parrot, four turtles, and a large fish pond they had installed in the gardens.
They love my home, as I knew they would. Joe, being a full-fledged architect now, makes sure that the old building is always up to snuff. I couldn’t have made a better decision. I simply wish them all the best.
So I leave you with a toast. Raise your glass.
To Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Starling, Jr. May they fill my home with warm memories, loving moments, and a lifetime of carefree fun!
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My first acknowledgements are always to my betas. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “God. That would have been humiliating if they hadn’t found that.” You ladies are worth you weight in gold!
I’d also like to give a shout out to Nikki’s Puck Bunnies. You ladies support me and share me to your friends, and I appreciate every share.
I’m always thankful for my cover designer, David Goldhahn who NEVER says, “I can’t do that.” He always figures out a way.
I certainly can’t forget my editor, Rogena Mitchell-Jones. One thing I can’t stand is reading a poorly edited book. I don’t ever want to release one!
Last but not least, I want to thank Joe Starling for being my Perfect Ten.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle Craig is a pen name for Nikki Worrell.
Nikki has a B.S.B.A in Human Resources and works full time as a bookkeeper for a law firm in Philadelphia. She reads and writes in her spare time, with her laptop being her constant companion.
A country girl through and through, she lives in the Garden State of Southern New Jersey with her husband of twenty years. They both love animals to distraction, so you will always see some kind of critter in her books.
You can check out Nikki's other writings, which are primarily ice hockey romances at www.nikkiworrell.com.
You can also keep up on Michelle Craig news for future works at www.michellecraigauthor.com.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapt
er 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Perfect Ten Page 26
