Chase nodded. His grandfather was right. This wasn’t over. “She’s cooking at the house this evening.”
“Really?” Andre said hopefully.
“Is that right?” Jacob added.
“I am a little hungry,” Daniel added.
Chase smiled. “I’ll let her know I’m having guests.”
Chapter 20
The concept of running late was not in Nikita’s mindset. If anything, she was always early. But today was a whole other story. Her mind was scattered just as it had been all morning and afternoon. By early evening she did what she had to do to get through the day without thinking about it. She was going to see Chase tonight—that was unavoidable. One night, one last time, she could do this. She shook her head, not believing her mistake. How could she have let this happen again? He used her and she let him.
At five o’clock she’d gotten word that Chase was having three guests for dinner. She agreed, knowing she was going to prepare a feast. He’d taken everything from her, but she refused to give him her talent. She unlocked the back door and walked into her brother’s house. It was the last day of the cooking contract. She looked around the kitchen, knowing instantly that she was alone in the house.
She brought her supplies in, prepped and cooked an astounding meal. She set the table, readied drinks, and then prepared sumptuous hors d’oeuvres.
At six-thirty she heard men’s voices in the front of the house. She stopped what she was doing and took a deep breath. This was it. She could do this, she assured herself.
A few minutes later the kitchen door opened and Chase walked in. “Hello, Nikita.”
She turned. “Good evening. Would you like to hear this evening’s menu?”
“What I’d like is to talk to you, to explain.”
“Why? You warned me, I didn’t listen. You were right all along. I didn’t separate business from personal, and you did. But tell me, why go through all the pretense when you were gonna get the government to take the land anyway?”
“I’m a Buchanan. I need you to see me for what I am, a Buchanan.”
“Don’t you dare hide behind your name.”
“I am a Buchanan,” he repeated. “I do what I have to do to get the job done.”
“And I was the job all along.”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“And you got exactly what you wanted in the end.”
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t get you in the end. Nikita…”
“Please. What can you possible say to me?”
“I love you.”
“You don’t love me. Remember this was all just a job. You got what you came for. You got everything. What could you possibly want now?”
“No, I didn’t. What I want is to be with you for the rest of our lives. Marry me, Nikita. Be my wife.”
She looked at him stunned. Tears filled her eyes. “Why are you doing this? You won, you have it all—everything.”
He shook his head. “No. I don’t have you,” he said softly.
She shook her head and turned around. He came up behind her. “Nikita, you once asked me if I had a relationship disaster, if someone had broken my heart. I said no, remember? I was wrong. I did this to us and I swear I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.”
“Chase.”
“There will be no eminent domain. The deeds are yours. The cottage, the café, the building next door. They were always for you. Say yes, marry me.”
For a few moments she didn’t say anything and Chase walked out. She turned around, seeing she was alone again. She looked down, seeing three envelopes on the counter. She picked them up. Inside were the deeds to the cottage, her café and the building next door. “What?” She hurried to the door and ran after him. “Chase, wait.” He turned to her. “What is this?” she asked.
“A wedding gift, I hope.”
Nikita noticed Andre and two other men standing in the dining room. “A what?”
“Nikita, this is my family. My grandfather, Jacob Buchanan. You already know Andre, my brother, and this is Daniel, my father.”
“She’s lovely,” Jacob said happily as he walked over to her. “Good evening, my dear. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you.” Jacob hugged and kissed her cheek. “Welcome to the family. It’s going to be grand getting to know you.”
“Umm, I don’t… Wait. Welcome to the family?”
“Yes, welcome to the family,” Daniel said, coming over to kiss her cheek. “We have a lot to talk about. You might want to reconsider the Stock Island property. We might still need it at a later date, but if you—”
“Daniel,” Chase warned.
“Of course, we’ll talk later. Welcome to the family,” Daniel said again.
Andre smiled and chuckled. “Welcome to the Buchanans.”
“Now, I understand the last time you received land instead of an engagement ring, so that won’t do this time. You must have a ring, as well. It’s tradition and I won’t hear of anything else. Oh, and Alaska is the perfect location for a wedding. Think about it.”
“A wedding?”
“She hasn’t agreed to marry me yet,” Chase interjected.
Everyone stopped and looked at Nikita, awaiting her answer. She was speechless. “Chase, could we go into the kitchen a moment?”
He followed her into the other room. “I’m sorry. They assumed you agreed to marry me. I’ll talk to them.”
“This is moving too fast.”
“No, it’s not moving fast enough. I want to start my life with you right now, this minute, this second. Say yes. Marry me.”
Nikita took a deep breath. She knew this was her happily ever after. “Yes.”
Chase grabbed her up in his arms and held her tight. There was a loud, rambunctious cheer in the other room. Apparently, her new family had been listening in. They came into the kitchen, cheering and applauding.
After hugs, kisses, congratulations and best wishes had been exchanged, Jacob stopped and looked around. “Good Lord, what is that incredible aroma?”
“Gentlemen, I hope you have an appetite,” Nikita said.
“I most certainly do. Coast-to-coast travel always makes me hungry. I must say, something smells simply fantastic. What’s on the menu?” Daniel asked.
Nikita smiled. “This evening I’ll be serving you four courses, beginning with assorted appetizers, then a savory French onion soup, afterward surf and turf with crab-topped filet mignon medallions and grilled salmon, rustic mashed potatoes and baby asparagus. And for dessert, my delectable delights.”
“That sounds delicious,” Jacob said, licking his lips and slapping his large hands together.
“Nikita’s food is mouthwatering. I can certainly attest to that,” Andre said.
“I’ll have your meal on the table in ten minutes,” she said.
“Suddenly I think I have an appetite,” Chase said, smiling and staring at Nikita. She knew exactly what he meant. “If you will excuse us, I’m gonna take my fiancée out this evening.” He took Nikita’s hand and guided her to the back door.
“Wait. What about the food?”
They turned. All three Buchanan men had descended on the stove and oven. They pulled the food out of the warmers and started taking the dishes into the dining room. “I think they’ll be just fine.”
Nikita nodded and started walking. Chase, still holding her hand, didn’t. He pulled her back into his arms and looked around. “This is where it all started for me. Just one taste was all it took to know I’d never get enough. I love you, Nikita Coles, now and forever.”
Nikita smiled. “I love you, Chase Buchanan, now and forever.” She couldn’t remember being any happier than she was this moment. All of her dreams were coming tru
e. Chase kissed her and she knew this was the beginning of her very own happily ever after—now and forever.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781459233676
Copyright © 2012 by Celeste O. Norfleet
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Just One Taste (Kimani Romance) Page 17
