by T. L. Haddix
Chapter Fifty One
A couple of hours later, Hannah and Jason were married, and the wedding party had moved to the Lighthouse for the reception. Taking advantage of the long receiving line, Wyatt whisked Maria through a second door into the banquet room. From there, he led her out onto the restaurant’s deck. Though cold, the night was clear, a full moon providing plenty of light. The staff had set up heaters at intervals along the balcony, and the air was almost pleasant until the breeze picked up.
“Where are we going?” Maria asked.
“You’ll see.” In a few seconds, they’d reached a screened-off section of the deck. Moving the louvered screen aside, he ushered her inside a little nook tucked away on an isolated corner of the deck. Once the screen was back in place, he turned and pulled her into his arms.
“Finally! If I had to wait one more moment to feel you in my arms, I think I would have exploded.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled. “I know. I feel the same way.” She looked around the small area, taking in the small heater, the candles, and the table. “Did you have this set up?”
He grinned. “Maybe.” Bending his head, he kissed her. Several minutes later when he finally raised his head, their smiles were gone, burned away by the heat of the kiss.
“I wish we could stay here all night,” she said, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
Clearing his throat, he nuzzled her neck. “I was rather hoping you might be interested in going home with me tonight.”
“Really? Well, I guess I could let you twist my arm.” She sighed as he claimed her lips again. After a few minutes, she pulled back to ask, “When can we leave?”
Laughing, he picked her up and twirled her, causing her to grip his shoulders tightly. When he set her back down, he sobered. “I need to ask you something.” Drawing back, he pulled the box out of his pocket and carefully folded her hands around it.
Maria stared at him, stunned. Her voice was a bare whisper. “Wyatt?”
He nodded at the box. “This was my mother’s, and her mother’s before her. Mom gave it to me before she died. Julie never wore it; I never offered it to her,” he hurried to assure her.
With trembling hands, she opened the box. Inside, on white satin, was an exquisite antique ring. Gold was woven with a delicate touch around a ruby, with small diamonds on the band. The gems sparkled in the moonlight.
“I know this may seem sudden, but I feel more for you than I’ve felt for anyone in my entire life,” he said. “When we’re together, I feel alive and at peace at the same time. I don’t know how to explain it. Something inside me resonates when I’m with you.” He had to stop and clear his throat. “We talked about marriage on the phone, about what we wanted from life, and I think we both want the same things. I know that I want to spend the rest of my days with you. And if you want the same, I’d love to try to have children. I can’t guarantee anything—we may never have that opportunity—but I’m willing to try.”
As Wyatt knelt in front of her, she stifled a sob. For a long, long moment, he looked up at her and then, with a trembling sigh, he asked, “Maria Pace, will you please consent to be my wife?”
Laughing, tears falling, she eased down to her knees in front of him, the ring box clasped tightly in her hand. She nodded, wiping tears away as she held out the box to him.
His hands were shaking almost as much as hers, but Wyatt managed to take the ring out of its nest and slip it onto her finger. Maria’s face showed her surprise. “I had Stacy get your ring size for me, and had it sized to fit.”
Maria pulled him in for a kiss. “I love it. I love you. Oh, Wyatt.”
They held each other, pressing soft kisses and whispering promises, until finally he groaned. “My knees are too old for this, and it’s way too cold out here.” Standing, he drew her up with him. “All the pictures have been taken, all my duties as groomsman are finished, and I would very much like to take you home now. If you’re agreeable.”
Her response was eager. “Please?”
With one last kiss, he moved the screen aside and led her back to the door to the banquet room. He stopped before they went inside and turned her to face him, drawing her close. “I never thought I’d be this happy, love like this. Especially after the last few years. Thank you.”
“I never thought I’d feel this way, be this loved, either,” she told him, touching his face with her fingertips. “How’d we get so lucky?”
He shrugged and captured her hands with his. “I don’t know. But I’m glad we did.”
Also By T. L. Haddix
Secrets in the Shadows (2010)
Under the Moon's Shadow (2010)
Shadows from the Grave (2011)
Acknowledgements
An Extra Special thanks to Lula Gibson, who opened her heart and shared a true love story with me. Ciara really does have a special Mommy… Every little girl should be so lucky. The world would be a better place.
Also, thanks to Ruth Ann Rawlings, who generously answered questions for me about Hospice care, despite personal commitments that were demanding your attention at the time. It was only a few minutes, yes, but those few minutes really mattered.
About the Author
A self-proclaimed bibliophile, romantic suspense author T. L. Haddix has had a life-long love affair with the written word. After trying several different career routes, including medical transcription, genealogical research services and a very brief career as a sandwich artist, she finally took the plunge she had been avoiding for years and started writing. She is constantly creating, whether it is painting, drawing, designing house plans, cooking, baking, crocheting, knitting or quilting; the drive to create an intrinsic part of who she is.
A resident of southern Indiana, T. L. shares a house with her husband and their three cat children. She loves to hear from her fans. Hard at work on her next novel, she can be reached through her website at www.tlhaddix.com, at www.facebook.com/tlhaddix or at www.twitter.com/tlhaddix.
