by Mari Carr
“And knocked you up.” Jade added her editorial commentary.
“Shhh…” Hope shot their cousin a death-ray glare.
Sterling would have squirmed if she wasn’t cognizant of the artist trying her best to pretend like this wasn’t happening in her chair. With no escape, she wasn’t prepared for what she thought he was about to say. To ask.
And she couldn’t bear to turn him down either.
“I love you too, Viho.” She squeezed his fingers.
“And because I think I know you better now, I just wanted to tell you that I’m not going to ask you to marry me. Not today. And not ever.”
“What the—?” Sienna sat up since everyone had abandoned the pretense of tattooing at that news flash. Actually, Sterling realized they were finished when the artists began to wipe the blood from their shiny new art.
Sterling smiled wider. No pressure.
“In fact,” he kept going, which was a lot of talking for Viho, especially in the presence of so many witnesses. “I don’t even care how we describe our relationship. I’d be proud to call you my fiancée or wife. But as long as you feel this connection as strongly as I do, that’s all that matters. The more I get to know you, the more I realize that you do. And this…what you’ve put on your arm, for my mom…for me… Well, you’ve blown me away. Today and every day, Sterling. I’m in awe that I’ve found a woman like you to spend my life with. Whatever we call that.”
She heard someone sniffle in the background and was afraid she might be joining them soon. Damn hormones.
“Getting her name tattooed on your ass might help your case here, buddy.” Clayton couldn’t help himself.
“No!” Sterling sat upright. “Don’t mess with perfection.”
Viho chuckled. “I do think my butt is my best feature.”
“It’s not.” She drew him to her for a kiss. “Your eyes are. And your giant heart. I’m sorry that I’ve trampled it a time or two. I promise I’ll try to trod lighter in the future. I’m sure I’m going to screw up a time or four-thousand, but I hope you’ll find some way to forgive me.”
“I will. Because I know you don’t mean it.” He sighed. “I wasted so much time focusing on everything wrong with my life that I might have missed out on good stuff too. It’s like when you start to see things through that negative lens, it all looks ugly. Since I’ve met you, you’ve helped me put things in perspective. Sure, things aren’t always roses and sunshine, but it’s how you cope that counts. Right?”
She nodded.
“Not to interrupt or anything,” Wyatt said, completely interrupting.
Hope smacked him, but he kept on going. “My Compass Girl taught me that what was doesn’t have to be what will be. I think that might be important for you to know too. Just because shit happened to you before, it doesn’t mean it will again. Or that you have to deal with it the same way. You’re older…way older…and wiser now.”
Viho flashed the guy a friendly middle finger. Then he said, “So just one more thing, before we wrap up all this sentimental bullshit and get back to regularly scheduled life…”
“Yeah?” Sterling couldn’t wait until they were alone and she could jump him. He was getting hotter by the second.
“I have something. I’m holding it for you. Refer back to the not-asking-you-to-marry-me thing. Okay? Promise?” He actually hesitated. After all the rest he’d said, this had to be a doozie.
“Sure.” She hoped she could keep that oath.
“Guess it turns out that Jake wanted to marry my mom before she took off. And as much as I loved her, I’m starting to see a different side of things the more I get to know him. Anyway, he had this. For her. But he never got a chance to give it to her.” From beneath his shirt, Viho withdrew an engagement ring.
It wasn’t super flashy or even that unique when she appraised it with her jeweler’s eye, but it was classy and perfect.
Absolutely flawless when she viewed it with her heart.
“Holy shit,” Liam whisper-shouted.
“You’re making us look bad over here, dude,” Clayton grumbled, though he was immediately shushed by the other Compass Girls.
“And he gave it to you?” Sterling reached out a finger to trace the circle of the ring Jake had kept safe all these years. He’d never surrendered it, or his heart, to anyone else.
“To us.” Viho smiled softly. “Along with his blessing. I guess he thinks I’m not such a delinquent after all. But I’m not giving it to you.”
“You’re really not?” Why was she suddenly plagued with disappointment?
“Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m holding it for you. Waiting for the right moment. Whenever that may come. The day you’re ready to accept it, all you have to do is say the word and it’s yours. Until then, I’ll keep it safe for you. Just like my father did for my mother.”
“What if I’m never ready?” Sterling worried out loud.
“Oh my God, Sterling.” Sienna smacked herself in the forehead. “You’re having his baby. You’re totally in love with the man. How much readier do you have to be?”
“It’s okay,” Viho reassured her. “I’ll wait. And figure out how to be a better partner in the meantime. I have a lot of learning to do. It could take a while.”
“As soon as I’m done with this tattoo…” Sterling began.
“You’re finished, honey.” The artist nudged her. “Put the man out of his misery, please.”
“Right. Help me up?” She peeked at Viho. As if she weighed no more than the bubble mailers she packed her jewelry in, he scooped her from the chair.
Hard to say if the room was spinning from going upright so quickly, the momentous events of the day, or simply being around the guy who would be the core of her new family.
“Viho.” Sterling would have sunk to her knees, but Viho didn’t allow it. Instead he parked her on his lap, where he could cradle her against his heat and strength.
“Yes?” He smiled softly at her.
“This poor ring has waited long enough to be worn by someone who appreciates it. I love Jake and if I’d known your mom I know I would have adored her too. But part of me is furious at them for wasting what they had. For hurting you in the process. I don’t want to make those same mistakes. I’m ready to put it on, to accept your promise and make vows of my own. I don’t want to miss out like Jake and Haiwee. What a tragedy that would be. I was wrong. So wrong. There’s nothing more to hold out for. You’re the man I’m meant to be with. Forever. Will you marry me?”
Sighs and ahhs echoed around them.
Until he surprised them all.
“Not any time soon. Nope.” He shrugged, and she knew what he was doing.
Not striking back at her, but ensuring she was certain. And she was. He made her more so with every exhibit he gave that he truly understood her.
“I meant it when I said the label doesn’t matter. We’re already living our life together. After we’re settled, once the baby is born and our life is routine…boring missionary sex on Sunday mornings…”
“Gah, gross.” Jade stuck out her tongue.
“Okay, maybe not that extreme.” He laughed, and Sterling joined him. Then he clarified, “But once we’re steady, then we’ll make it official. And not before.”
“For the record.” Sterling tipped his chin down so she could stare into his eyes. “I know you’re the one.”
“I’m sure too.” He stole a kiss, then continued, “And if we’re both right, then it won’t hurt anything to wait. It only changes things if we’re wrong.”
“Which you’re not,” Hope interjected.
“Right.” Viho treated them all to that rare, blinding grin that illuminated her soul with light and love.
“You’re the smartest man I know, Viho. And the handsomest.” Sterling kissed him while the other Compass Girls and their guy
s contested her assessment.
“If she wasn’t already pregnant, I’m pretty sure a kiss like that could have done the job.” Jade kicked their chair. “Come on, lovebirds. Vivi’s waiting. Now that we’ve done this, I can’t wait to show her.”
“She’s going to love them.” Sterling peeked at her arm before hugging the artist. “Thank you.”
They pulled out their wallets to pay, but the manager refused to accept their cards. “It’s on the house. You’ve given us enough by letting us be part of what happened here today. With those two… and with your grandmother. Vicky Compton petitioned for us to get our license when the rest of the town thought we were hoodlums. Without her, we wouldn’t even be here.”
“I’d forgotten about that.” Jade grinned. “Way to go, Vivi.”
“Tell her we say hello. And thank you.”
The Compass Girls and their respective guys left in pairs, plus a trio, but they’d never be apart again, joined by their matching declarations of their heritage.
Compass Girls for life—by blood, and by choice.
Chapter Fourteen
Sterling couldn’t stop staring at the modest round brilliant cut diamond on her finger as Viho drove them back to Compass Ranch. Well, it was a tossup between that and the colorful artwork decorating her arm, which peeked through her clear bandage, vying for her attention. They both meant so much to her, more than she could have expected a few short months ago.
“You know, you could reset the stone. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you made it your own.” Viho stopped just short of calling Jake “Dad”. Still, he’d quit referring to him by his first name. It was progress. And in time, Dad would come naturally—she knew it would.
Sterling reached across to squeeze Viho’s thigh.
He’d only been part of their lives for a quarter of a year, but a season was long enough to change a person’s entire trajectory. Hell, a single moment could do the trick if it was the right one. At the right time. Lived in with the right person.
A memory of Viho, standing on the side of the road with his arms behind him on the bed of that rusty truck flashed into her memory, and she grinned. He’d been there, just waiting for her to pick him up.
“No, it’s perfect like this.” There was nothing she would change. About the ring. Him. Their future.
They sloshed inside the Jeep as the vehicle pulled onto the gravel road leading into the heart of Compass Ranch where Vivi waited for them. She was the only thing Sterling wished she could change. The baby growing inside her would never know the woman who had done so much to shape Sterling’s life, her beliefs, her personality.
Except through the endless stories they would share about her.
“Do you think…?” Sterling cut herself off.
“Hmm?” Viho glanced at her before returning his attention to the road. He reached over and held her hand. “What were you going to say?”
She swallowed.
“If the baby is a girl, do you think we could name her after Vicky?” Quickly she realized that might be selfish. “Or something for your mom. Maybe both?”
“Of course.” The look he shot her was filled with gratitude and love. “What if I tell you the name of each of the flowers in my people’s language? You could pick something you like.”
“That’s perfect.” She blinked to clear the mist from her vision. “I want our child to learn your customs. Maybe you could teach me too?”
“You’d do that?” He peeked at her from the corner of his eyes.
“Yes. I want to know all of you. Understand your history.”
“I’m more concerned about my future.” He shrugged.
“Me too. But those things are part of who you are, and I love you because of them.”
Viho didn’t reply right away, but he toyed with the ring on her finger. “This is the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Well, technically, I did it for you.” She giggled as they pulled up to the house. Before she could climb out herself, Viho had jogged around and opened her door. He plucked her from the car and spun her around in his arms a few times before letting her slide down his sculpted body, pausing only to steal a kiss before her toes touched the ground once more.
“Oh, come on already.” Jade stood at the top of the porch stairs. “You can molest each other later. Everyone’s here. And I can’t wait anymore to show these bad boys off.”
“All right, all right.” Sterling took Viho’s hand and raced up to join her cousins and the men who loved them. Together, they went inside, careful not to slam Vivi’s screen door.
It did seem kind of crowded inside, like all of their relatives had showed up at once. She should have figured that their parents would be nosy and want to see their tattoos as soon as they were complete.
The four Compass Girls held hands as they walked toward Vivi’s chair, linked.
But when they approached, they noticed Jake, standing behind it with one hand on her shoulder. Beyond them, the rest of the family milled around, none of them looking especially interested in the big reveal.
“What’s going on?” Jade asked Jake.
“Vivi’s taken a bit of a turn.” He stopped before saying a turn for the worse, as Sterling expected. “Dr. Martin left a little while ago. He feels the change could be permanent.”
Before they could draw more information from him, Vivi turned toward them and smiled. “Hello there, pretty girls. Aren’t you a bunch of sweet ones?”
Stunned, Sterling didn’t know what to do. Viho hugged her from behind, his hands over her belly. Each of the other Compass Girls stood similarly in shock. Supported by their guys but reeling together.
This couldn’t be! She had to see their tattoos. To know them and understand how much they loved her.
“It doesn’t matter, Sterling,” Viho whispered in her ear, “Your Vivi knew what she meant to you. The art is really for you, sweetheart.”
Still, when Jade went to her knees on the floor before their grandmother, each of the Compass Girls followed suit with their guys standing tall behind them.
“What happened to your arm, dear?” Vivi asked Hope.
“It’s a tattoo.” The tears were evident in her voice.
“Did it hurt so much?” Vivi tipped her head. “I’ve always sort of fancied getting one myself. Ever since my boys got matching tattoos. Big, fancy things. Takes up most of their backs. They’re great pieces art, showing their devotion to Compass Ranch and to their father, JD.”
None of them dared interrupt when she seemed so happy. It hammered home to Sterling how proud and honored she would have been by their gesture.
“My cousins and I all got a similar design.” Sienna gestured to the other ladies around her. “Would you like to see? They’re kind of like your sons’. But ours are for a very special woman. Our grandmother. She loves flowers.”
When Sienna got too choked up to continue, Jade took over pointing out the finer details they’d etched into themselves while their parents looked on from Jake’s side of the chair. Though their smiles were watery, they clearly approved.
“What a coincidence!” Vivi clutched her hands to her chest. “I adore those too. I have a garden. My husband planted it for me. It’s the most beautiful thing to sit there, surrounded by all the blooms. I especially love this.”
She pointed to the magnolia at the center of the bunch that represented herself.
And not one of them could keep a dry eye.
“Those are fantastic, girls. The colors are so vibrant and lifelike. Except they’ll never wilt.” Vivi looked closely, engrossed. “You know, I’d love it if you’d stick around a bit. Would you join me and my husband, JD, for dinner? He would enjoy hearing your story and I’m sure he’ll love your tattoos too. Pretty art for pretty girls.”
Sterling looked up at Jake, who nodded, encouraging her to play along. �
�Sure, we’ll stay.”
“Terrific!” Vivi smiled so wide and bright, Sterling knew she’d never seen that much happiness radiating from her grandmother. And that was saying a lot. “He’ll be home as soon as the evening chores are finished and the animals are taken care of. Wait until you meet him. He’s a handsome devil and smart too. I’m the luckiest woman in Compton Pass.”
Sterling couldn’t stand it a moment longer. She bolted to her feet and ran into the kitchen, where Vivi couldn’t witness her tears of disappointment.
Viho held her, rocking her as a sob broke free of her chest.
It wasn’t long though before soft footfalls indicated someone joined them.
“Who are you crying for, Sterling?” Jake asked from across the kitchen. “If it’s her, don’t bother. She’s finally happy again and will be until the disease claims her body as well as her mind. It’s a blessing.”
“How can you say that?” Sterling cried. Viho held her arm, steadying her as she rounded on his father.
“Look at her. She’s radiant.” He smiled softly and with more than a little envy in his gaze. “Finally, she doesn’t remember being alone. She has JD back. The impossible has happened.”
Sterling watched as Vivi rambled on about what they would have for dinner and how hard JD worked growing the ranch. She was filled with pride and excitement.
“It’s time to let her go.” Jake approached. He wrapped her in a hug. “It’s selfish of us to keep her with us longer. I hope she never remembers. That she never suffers from that loss again.”
For once, it seemed like Jake would get his wish.
It was then, as Sterling covered her face with her hands, that he noticed the flash of light on her finger.
“Well, look at that.” He whooped as he took her hand in his.
“I think the news is out,” Sienna said to Daniel as she plugged her ears.
And as if they had supernatural powers, Cindi and each of her aunts picked up on the excitement, swooping in for a closer look.
“It had been a while since we had a proper wedding around here. Now we’re going to have a few in a row, huh?” Aunt Lucy smiled as she glanced around the room. “Never get tired of those.”
