He took a sip and set his cup on the coffee table. She didn’t even bother with the pretense, just struggled to place her mug next to his without dropping it. Plonk.
“Brigit.”
She met his eyes. In the short time she’d been in the kitchen, he’d reined in his lust, no doubt waiting for her to announce the worst. And maybe she should.
No, her heart whispered. Don’t make the mistake you did at the Winters’ party. Listen to what he has to say.
“You left, Carter. No note. No text.” She hadn’t anticipated how hard this conversation would be. Tears pricked her eyes. “You just…left.”
He hung his head. “I handled that badly. I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry.”
He looked at her. “If I could go back and change things, I would. But I—”
“Finished the job and went back to Tampa.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Just like you said you would.”
“Yes. But I’m here now, darlin’.”
A derisive laugh pushed through her lips. “You’re here. And how do I know you won’t run again?”
He shook his head. “Damn, Brij. We were supposed to keep it light.”
“Just sex.”
“Yeah. But by the time I realized it was more, I was in so damn deep.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “Scared the shit out of me.”
“You think I wasn’t?” She held up her hand. “Oh, wait. You wouldn’t know that because you didn’t bother to talk to me.”
“You’re right.” He tapped a finger on his jean-clad thigh. “Jessica said as much. She called me a week after I got home. Said I was an ass.”
“You are an ass.” She blinked away the tears in her eyes.
“I’ll work on that.” He scooted to the edge of the couch. “But you need to know I’m here. For good.”
She frowned. “What?”
“I put my house on the market. Everything I own is in a truck somewhere on I-20, heading here.” He took her hand, twined his fingers with hers. “I found a house on Bravo River.”
“Y-you’re moving here?” Well, that put a new spin on things. “What about your job?”
“I quit. Jessica says she’s got plenty of work.” He squeezed her hand. “She told me you called to make sure she got the necklace.”
“When I couldn’t find you, I figured you’d used the fire as the perfect opportunity to get the necklace. But Randall’s house burned to the ground. For all I knew, you could’ve been dead.” Of course, finding all of his belongings gone had told her what really happened. And calling Jess had confirmed her suspicions.
“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
“But you got the necklace.”
“I did.”
“Good. At least someone had a happy ending.”
“We can, too.” Carter reached over and tucked a finger under her chin, lifting her face to his. “I’m done with living in the past. I’m letting go, moving forward. I’m here, and I’m not leaving. Tell me how to make you a part of my future.”
She stared into his eyes as he bared his soul. He’d told her his past, his fears, and admitted his mistakes. This man had broken her heart, and now, he was giving her his—something he would never do on a whim.
“Trust is a good start.”
“I will. And you’ll trust me.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers. “What else?”
“No more running.”
“Marry me.”
“What?” Shock jolted through her, his statement so far afield of their conversation. She tried to sit up, but he held her in place against the couch cushions.
“I’m here. For good. If you marry me, I’ll never run.” He dotted kisses along her jawline. “You’re all I want. All I need. Marry me.”
“I, um….”
Releasing her, he sat back to dig in his pocket, withdrawing a small velvet bag. Brigit’s heart hammered.
“You showed me what life…no, what love is supposed to be. There is no one else for me. I need you. Now. Forever.” He held a ring up to her. “I love you.”
She stared at the antique ring, the marquis diamond glinting amongst the emeralds, then she lifted her gaze to his. He wanted her in his life, and, God help her, she loved him more than she believed possible.
“Marry me, Brigit MacKay.”
“You need to ask my granddad.”
“Already did.” He smiled. “He said, ‘If you can love her and still let her fly, you have my blessings.’”
“He did? What about Aiden? You need to ask him, too.”
He chuckled. “It’s been a busy week, darlin’. Your brother gave his okay, but Kat? She made me pinky swear I’d never break your heart again or she’d kick my ass—a sentiment Jess echoed. They both seemed onboard.”
He’d asked her brother and sister? If he asked everyone important in her life, then he must really love her. Lord knew she loved him.
“Halfway back to Tampa, I could no longer deny the truth. I already had everything packed and the house on the market before Jess even called me.” Carter slid from the couch and dropped to one knee. He took Brigit’s hand in his as he gazed into her eyes. “From the moment I saw you in that hospital room I knew you were it for me, darlin’. I was just too scared to admit it. But I’m not scared anymore. Not only did you save my life, you healed me. You lit a fire in my soul.” He slid the antique ring onto her finger. “Please, Brigit MacKay, be my wife. Let me be your husband. Marry me.”
Leaping into his arms, she kissed him with all the hope and passion and love welling inside her heart. “Yes.”
About the Author
Though born and raised in the south, L.J. Garland has lived on both the east and west coasts. She adores traveling, the latest adventures added to her Bucket List: Machu Pichu and Australia’s Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.
Married to her best friend for over twenty-five years, she spends her time home schooling three rambunctious boys, editing in the epub industry, and writing stories that she hopes catches her readers’ imaginations as much as the characters and plotlines captivate her. In her spare time (what there is of it LOL), she has a multitude of hobbies, including building archery equipment from scratch and creating stained glass. She has a passion for anything that goes Boom!…from fireworks to high-powered combat rifles…it’s all good. She and her husband are both rated helicopter pilots and spent their 10th anniversary flying cross-country from east to west coast—an adventure she highly recommends.
L.J. loves hearing from her readers! You can contact her at: [email protected]
You can also find her here:
Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/L.J.-Garland/e/B007R4U57K/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Author Website
http://lj-garland.blogspot.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/LJGarland/
Twitter: @LJ_Garland1
Also by L.J. Garland
Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire & Rescue – Kindle Worlds
Hearts Afire
Sci-fi Romance
Dead or Alive
MechMan
On the Fringes – Coming Soon
Paranormal Romance
Victoria’s Destiny
Anthologies
Box of 1Night Stands: 21 Sizzling Nights
Sweet Christmas Kisses: A Sweet Holiday Anthology
L.J. Garland & Debbie Gould
Pararescuemen Series – Military Romance
In My Sights
Explosive Conditions
Do No Harm
Third Time’s the Charm
The Sentinel Series – Paranormal Romance
Waltz into Fire
Red River Series – Romantic Suspense
Sins of the Mind
Cursed Ink Series – Paranormal Romance
Love & Curses
ng His Fire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 5)
Dallas Fire & Rescue: Lighting His Fire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 5) Page 10
