Dom and Mackenzie sat at a nearby table, their son squirming in her lap. Dom was being particularly attentive, stroking her arm, whispering in her ear. Men could be so obvious when it came to wanting sex later.
Arianna explained how the sweet-home concept worked and fielded a few questions. All in all, everyone seemed really excited to finally have options when they ran across sweetbloods in their fields. It wouldn’t be a solution for everyone, but in cases like Krystal’s, it would give her a chance to grow up and learn the skills she’d need to survive. She looked out into the crowd and still didn’t see the two that she had invited. She’d drawn out her portion long enough. She couldn’t stall any longer. Which was too bad. They should’ve been on hand for this next part.
“And with that, I turn it over to Region Commander Tristan Santiago.”
She soon made her way back to her seat.
“Nice job,” Jackson whispered. “I can’t believe I get to sleep with someone as beautiful and intelligent as you every night.”
She gave him a quick peck. How did she get so lucky, to have a man like Jackson feel this way about her? “Thank you.”
Another quick glance around the room revealed that the people she’d invited still hadn’t come. At least she hadn’t told Jackson. It’d be better that he never knew about it.
Santiago nodded to someone offstage. Wearing a sundress and patent-leather shoes, Zoe trumped onstage and handed him a large wooden sign. A few people in the audience chuckled. With her chin cocked just so, Zoe glared at them and marched off.
Santiago looked over at Arianna first then addressed the crowd. “Arianna doesn’t know this yet, but we took a vote on what the first sweet home should be named. I’d like to present to you the Kristine Wells Home.”
The audience erupted in applause. Tears welled up in her eyes and threatened to overflow. Jackson squeezed her shoulder and kissed her.
“Surprised?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. They’d named the sweet home after her mother. Her heart swelled at the kindness and overwhelming support these people had given her. All of this meant so much.
“But that’s not all,” Santiago said in that gruff, gravelly voice of his. “I have one more important announcement to make.”
She started to turn around to give Santiago her undivided attention again when the back door opened and a distinguished older couple walked in. With light brown hair piled high on her head, the woman had her arm looped through the elbow of a man with a ramrod-straight spine and emerald-green eyes.
A lump of emotion formed in her throat, making it hard to swallow. It had to be them. Jackson followed her line of vision and his shoulders stiffened.
Oh, no, was he upset?
“Did you invite my parents?” His eyes glistened as he continued to stare in their direction.
She nodded. “I’m sorry. I thought they’d want to see this.”
His nostrils flared slightly. “I’m stunned they came. They’ve never shown an interest in anything I’ve done before. What did you have to promise them to get them to come?”
“Nothing. I told them a little about what you’d done and how much I loved you. When your mother asked a little about me, I told her. Everything. I think the part about growing up without a mother really had an impact on her. She said she’d talk it over with your father and try to see about coming up for this.”
A war of emotion flashed across his expression and he turned back around to face the stage. God, she hoped she hadn’t made a mistake.
Zoe tromped to the podium again, this time, carrying something wrapped in cloth. A few more people laughed as she handed it to Santiago. She grinned and didn’t seem fazed. When she didn’t exit the stage right away, Lily waggled her fingers at her, but Zoe pretended not to notice, choosing instead to bask in the attention.
“Pssst.” Alfonso, who was seated next to Lily, held out his arms. Zoe brightened, skipped off the stage and sat in her father’s lap.
Lily elbowed him playfully and he shrugged. “What can I say?” he mouthed to her. “She’s Daddy’s girl.”
“Jackson, would you come up here, please?” Santiago motioned him onstage.
His head snapped up. “What’s this all about?” he whispered to Arianna.
She smiled. “You’ll see.”
Jackson walked down the center aisle and climbed up onto the stage. Because she knew him so well, she could tell he was a little uncomfortable, but she doubted anyone else noticed. God, he looked great in that suit. It stretched broadly over his shoulders and was perfectly tailored so that you could see his trim waist and thick thighs. She couldn’t get him to wear dress shoes, though. He’d insisted on those cowboy boots. But that was fine. He looked really hot in them, too.
Santiago cleared his throat, and his voice boomed into the microphone once more, commanding everyone’s attention. Even Zoe seemed to be listening.
“While I can’t tell you many of the specific details,” he said, placing his hand on Jackson’s shoulder, “it is because of this man’s selfless act of heroism in the face of terrible personal danger to himself that I’m awarding him with one of the Agency’s highest honors for an active agent. On behalf of the Governing Council, I’m pleased to award Jackson Foss with the prestigious Night Brethren Award.”
For the second time tonight, the crowd erupted in applause.
Santiago whispered to Jackson and he nodded, taking the microphone. He glanced out into the crowd. “Mom, Dad, thank you for coming. It means the world to me that you made the trip up here.” Not normally an emotional man, he pulled out a linen handkerchief and mopped his eyes.
Arianna’s heart soared. Maybe inviting them hadn’t been a mistake, after all.
After saying a few words of thanks, he hesitated but didn’t let go of the microphone. “I was going to wait to do this later, but this seems like the perfect time. Arianna, would you stand up again?”
Me? If she could read his thoughts, she knew he’d be saying, No, the other Arianna in the room.
She stood and smoothed down her knee-length wool skirt.
What’s this all about?
He gave an imperceptible shrug that said wait and see.
“The first time I laid eyes on you, I knew you were an incredible woman. Not only were you the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen with a spirit and determination that I’d never experienced before, but also you saw something worthwhile in me that was hidden under all my flaws and imperfections. You believed in me when no one else would. Hell, you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. The best part of me is you, Arianna, and I can’t bear to live my life without you.”
The theater was quiet as the hundred or so audience members held their breath. Even little Miguel had stopped squirming.
Jackson stepped off the stage, reached into the inside pocket of his suit and got down on one knee. A roaring, rushing sound filled her head. She forced herself to concentrate so that she could relive every word, every nuance of this moment for the rest of her life.
“So, in front of all these people, including my mother and father, I want to ask you something very important.” He opened the box, revealing a platinum ring with diamonds and emeralds nestled inside.
She gasped. It was gorgeous.
“If the good Lord is willing, I want to make a life with you. I want to grow old with you. Have a home. And if the union is a good one…babies.” A couple of sniffles could be heard in the audience.
Oh, Jackson. I love you.
He smiled and she was pretty sure her cheeks were wet with tears now, too.
“I love you, Arianna Katherine Wells. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and…marry me?”
She reached down, tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and
said yes.
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781459222885
Copyright © 2012 by Laurie Thompson
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Tempted by Blood Page 30
