by Irene Hannon
She reached for the tray, venturing a quick glance at him as she passed. “I brought us breakfast. Shall I put it in the kitchen?”
“Sure.” He closed the door. “Give me a minute while I run a comb through my hair and shave, okay?”
“Sure.”
By the time he returned, A.J. had put out plates and silverware. He also noticed the satin jeweler’s box sitting in the middle of the table. Blake’s grin faded, and his gut clenched. This didn’t look good.
“I already put some cream in your coffee,” A.J. said.
“Thanks.” He dropped into the chair across from her and took a fortifying sip. Then he glanced down at the satin box between them.
“There’s something I’d like to tell you,” he said slowly. “I had a call from my parents this morning.”
Anxiety filled her eyes. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. They just wanted to discuss business.”
She expelled a relieved breath. “I’ve been so worried about your dad.”
“Me, too. I’d like to tell you what we talked about.”
“I’d like to hear it. But I have some things I’d like to tell you first.”
“It might be better if…”
She laid her hand over his. “Please, Blake. I’d like to go first. While I still have the nerve.” She tried to grin but couldn’t quite pull it off.
Blake felt his stomach twist in knots. He didn’t even try to speak. He just nodded.
A.J. took a deep breath, and when she spoke her voice was slightly uneven. “A long time ago, that day in the storeroom when I was trying to put a box on the top shelf, you told me that I didn’t want to rely on anyone, and that’s why I never asked for help. Well, you were right. I was afraid of getting hurt again. I’ve done a lot of soul-searching these past few weeks, and had more than one conversation with Reverend Matthews. Because when I thought about it honestly, I realized that my fear about commitments, about putting down roots, about letting people into my life, reflected a lack of trust in God. It was ironic, really. I’d always thought my faith was strong. And it was, in a lot of ways. But I hadn’t been able to fully put my life in God’s hands.”
She looked down and began tearing her bagel into little pieces. “I was a lot like you, actually,” she said quietly. “Because of your experience growing up, you didn’t want to rely on anyone but yourself. So you methodically set out to make sure that your tomorrows were safe and that you were in control. I set out to do the same thing, in a different way and for different reasons. But the thing is, we don’t even know if we have tomorrow. All we have is today. So we just need to live each day the best we can, accept the gifts that the Lord sends our way, and trust that He will be with us if things don’t always work out as we plan.”
She reached for the box and flipped it open. The antique diamond blinked back at them. Blake noticed that A.J.’s hands were trembling. So were his.
“Just when I started to put down roots, to take a chance on tomorrow, you asked me to marry you and to tear out those roots, to start over again in a new place. That scared me, Blake. To be honest, it still does. But you know what scares me more? Not having you in my life. Because in these past few months, as I came to recognize what a fine and wonderful man you are, I fell in love. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t even want it. But it happened. And I’m glad. And very, very grateful. Because my life is so much richer because of you. So, as Ruth told Naomi, wherever you go, I will go. As your wife.”
Her voice broke on the last word. The tension in Blake’s shoulders eased as his heart soared. He was on his feet instantly, and when he reached for her she came willingly. He gathered her in his arms, sending a silent prayer of thanks heavenward. He knew that A.J.’s decision had been a difficult one. Because while he hadn’t doubted that her love for him was strong, he’d been afraid that her fear of being hurt again, of losing someone she loved, was stronger.
But her willingness to give up the life she’d created in St. Louis, as well as the shop she loved and had fought for, and follow him to a new place, illustrated the depth of her love. It was a gift he would always cherish. And now he could give her a gift as well.
He pulled back slightly, and gently traced the path of a tear down her cheek. “I didn’t plan to make you cry,” he said, his own voice none too steady.
“These are tears of joy, Blake.”
“Well, then I have some news that may unleash a flood.”
She gave him a quizzical look. “What do you mean?”
“You know that phone call I had from my parents this morning? They’re selling the stores.”
She stared at him blankly. “What?”
“They’re selling the stores.”
She frowned. “But…why?”
“They’ve had a good offer. And I think they figure it’s time to move on. They said the heart attack was a wake-up call. They want to travel more and write a cookbook and go out on the speaking circuit. And spend more time with each other.”
Slowly the implication began to dawn on A.J. “So they don’t need a business manager?”
“Only long enough to oversee the sale.”
“And then you’ll come back?”
He cupped her face with his hands. “Forever.”
“Don’t promise forever,” she said softly, her voice breaking.
He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “Forever,” he repeated firmly. “Because our love isn’t tied to earthly bonds. It will continue for always.”
He reached for the ring and gently eased it out of its case. “We can have this reset if you prefer something more modern.”
“I like vintage things. Remember?”
He took her trembling hand in his and eased the ring over her finger, his gaze locked on hers. “I love you, A.J. Lots of things change in this world, but I promise that my love for you won’t. Through good times and bad, I’ll stand by your side. You can count on me.”
The ring slipped over her finger and settled into place. A.J. looked down at it. “It’s a perfect fit,” she said softly.
“Perfect,” he repeated.
When she looked back up at him, his gaze was fixed on her, not the ring. Then he sealed their engagement with a kiss filled with tenderness, joy, enduring love and the promise of their life to come.
A.J. gave herself to the kiss. But before she completely lost herself in the magic of Blake’s embrace, she sent a silent, heartfelt message heavenward to the woman whose legacy had made her happy ending possible.
“Thank you, Aunt Jo.”
Epilogue
“This looks like an important letter.”
A.J. glanced toward Nancy, who was sorting mail. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s from a law firm.”
A.J. reached for the letter and glanced at the return address. Mitchell and Peterson. Her aunt’s law firm. Seth Mitchell had called her a few days earlier to remind her that the six-month period in Jo’s will was over, and to find out whether her aunt’s stipulation had been met. She’d happily informed him that not only had she and Blake carried through on their business partnership, they planned to make it a permanent—and much more personal—arrangement. He’d offered his congratulations and said he’d be in touch shortly. This must be the follow-up.
She ripped open the envelope and quickly scanned a brief note that was attached to another, smaller envelope.
“Ms. Williams: Your aunt asked that I forward this to you after the six-month period specified in her will. My congratulations again to you and Mr. Sullivan. I wish you great happiness.”
A.J. glanced at the smaller envelope, written in her aunt’s flowing hand, and addressed to both her and Blake. She went in search of him, and found him in the romance section, putting a stack of books on the shelf.
“Look at this,” she said, holding the letter out to him.
He set the books down and took the envelope. After a quick glance, he looked back at her, puzzled. “This is from Jo. I recognize
her handwriting. Where did you get it?”
“Her lawyer, Seth Mitchell just sent it. Go ahead and open it.” She handed him a letter opener she’d brought from the back.
Blake slit the flap, and A.J. moved closer as they simultaneously read Jo’s note.
My dearest A.J. and Blake, please accept my congratulations on your engagement. I am overjoyed that the two of you have fallen in love. It’s what I had hoped for, you know. That was the reason for the stipulation in my will—to bring you together.
Much to our regret, Walt and I never had children. So A.J., you and your sisters have always been special to me. As I grew older, I knew that I wanted to leave each of you something of lasting value. I have always found great solace in books, and Turning Leaves helped me turn over a new leaf in my own life when Walt died. It went a long way toward filling the void his absence created. I hoped it would do the same for you, and that you would come to love it as Blake and I do. But I also wanted to leave you a more lasting legacy.
I felt the same way about you, Blake. I treasured your support and guidance these past few years, as well as your friendship. You have always held a very special place in my heart.
So I wanted to give you both the best gift of all. Namely, love. I am glad that you have found this priceless treasure as a result of my bequest.
I hope that both of you will forgive an old lady for her interference in your lives. But please understand that it was done out of love, with only the best intentions. I am delighted that the ending to your story is a happy one. May your future be bright and filled with faith and love.
A.J. and Blake finished reading the letter at almost the same time. When they glanced at each other, A.J. noted that Blake’s eyes were suspiciously moist. As were hers.
“Did you have any idea?” she asked softly.
“None.”
“But…how could Aunt Jo know this would happen?”
He shrugged. “She was a very insightful woman. I guess she knew us better than we knew ourselves.”
A.J. put her arms around Blake’s neck and gave him a teasing grin. “Maybe. But I plan to get to know you a whole lot better.”
Blake put Jo’s letter on the shelf beside him and then looped his arms around A.J.’s waist. “Why do I think that’s exactly what Jo had in mind?” he responded with a smile.
“Then let’s not disappoint her.”
Blake leaned toward her, and just before his lips touched hers, A.J. caught a glimpse of the title of the new book he’d been shelving.
“The Best Gift.”
Yes, she thought dreamily, that’s exactly what Aunt Jo had given them.
And this time, with the Lord’s help, it would last forever.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0490-4
THE BEST GIFT
Copyright © 2005 by Irene Hannon
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*Vows
†Sisters & Brides
