The sick feeling in her stomach started to dissipate with that decision made. Mike was going to be the first call she placed as soon as they touched down.
She boarded the plane and headed straight to the galley to start prep work. But something caught her eye through the slit of the curtain. She pushed the navy blue material apart and her breath caught in her throat.
Mike was surrounded by roses and candles leaning casually against the leather passenger chair.
“What are you doing here?” she looked around to see what was going on and she saw Captain Howard give her a little wink as he stepped back out the door and walked down the steps.
Nikki’s head spun back around to Mike. Her fingers were tingling and the cement bag in her stomach had turned into a butterfly grudge match. Her palms grew damp as she shook her head in disbelief. “You are supposed to be in DC till tonight.”
A disarming smile crossed Mike’s face. It was more than just one of his patented panty-melting-forget-your-own-name smiles, it also had a distinct air of confidence and strength. Two things that Nikki needed right now more than she needed to take her next breath.
“I flew back yesterday,” his deep voice washed over her like a seductive wave.
“You did?” she asked lamely. In fairness to her though, she couldn’t really feel her tongue, or her arms or legs for that matter, so the fact that she was able to speak at all was quite an accomplishment.
“I did,” he smile grew bigger and somehow even sexier. “I had some housecleaning to do.”
Nikki’s brows furrowed. He came back to clean his house?
“I fired Phil and placed a restraining order on him. Not only was he the one that “leaked” the fabricated story, he also got Lizzie pregnant as insurance that I would go along with the engagement in hopes to avoid a scandal.”
“He got her pregnant as in he’s the father? Or he got her pregnant like he sent her to a fertility clinic?”
“He’s the father,” Mike confirmed.
Nikki’s face puckered in horror. “That’s disgusting.”
“Yeah,” Mike nodded. “He’s been sleeping with Lizzie for two years and my mother for ten.”
Nikki’s mouth fell wide open as she gasped, “Holy shit! Are you serious?”
Mike nodded as he moved away from his post against the side of the chair and took two steps, closing the distance between them. He stopped directly in front of Nikki. “I’m afraid so,” he said not seeming nearly as upset as she thought he would be.
Looking up into the dark pools of eyes as he gazed down at her, Nikki knew there was no question about it and no decisions to be made. She was all in.
“Sorry, I didn’t call you back,” she said in a soft voice.
He reached up tucking a stray hair that had fallen in her face behind her ear. The pads of his fingers brushed against the sensitive skin just below her earlobe and a shiver ran down her body. “It’s okay. I’m sorry about the story.”
“It’s okay,” she said and she meant it was okay. Because all that mattered was this. Her and Mike. That’s it. “You didn’t have to do all this to apologize,” Nikki waved her hand around.
“Oh, all this isn’t for an apology,” he said with a glint in his eye.
Nikki’s forehead creased as her brows raised in question. “It’s not?”
“No, I did all this for a proposal,” his lips turned up into a knock-your-socks-off-puddle-inducing smile as he lowered down onto one knee. His captivating gaze never leaving hers.
Nikki couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t move. All she could do was think two words.
Holy shit!
--- ~ ---
Mike had always thought that he would be a nervous wreck in this moment in his life. But he felt strangely calm. Before Nikki had got there, when he was waiting in the plane for her to come in, he’d definitely had a bad case of nerves but the second she stepped through the curtain and looked at him, a peace fell over him.
She was his peace. She was his calm. She was all he would ever need.
Looking up at her now, he saw the look of shock starting to subside as tears appeared in her eyes.
“Nikki, I love you. You are kind and generous. You say exactly what’s on your mind and you don’t apologize for it. You are smart and sensitive, honest and hardworking. Your inner-strength is balanced out with your vulnerability, which I think is what makes you so compassionate. Not to mention, you are sexy as hell. I go through withdrawals when I’m not with you.”
Nikki smiled and shook her head slightly.
“Since the moment I met you I felt like I’d found the missing part of me. You see me, and I see you. The real you. I know that you’re scared, and that’s okay. Because just like the elevator, I will be here and I will make sure that you are okay. No matter what challenges come our way, if we have each other, I know we can face anything.”
Holding out his hand, palm up he repeated the instruction, “Give me your hand.”
Her breathing quickened as Nikki placed her delicate hand in his. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the ring that he’d purchased earlier this morning. It was a three-carat princess cut diamond solitaire set in platinum.
“Nicoletta Maguire, will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife? Will you marry me?”
Nikki’s left hand was shaking in his and her right hand flew up and was covering her mouth. She didn’t answer, she just stared down at the ring he was holding. He’d had plenty of practice waiting for an answer from Nikki but Mike had to admit that the calm and peace he was feeling earlier was rapidly being replaced with nerves and maybe a touch of panic.
“Nikki,” he prompted.
She looked down at him as if he’d snapped her out of a daze. “Oh,” she took her hand off her mouth and he saw that she was smiling from ear to ear, “Yes! I love you. Of course I will marry you.”
He let out a breath of relief and was filled with indescribable joy as he slipped the ring on Nikki’s finger. Standing, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground as he crushed his mouth to hers.
“Can we come in yet?” a voice came from the door.
Mike set Nikki down and she spun around just in time to see her parents, sister, brothers, Matt and Lily, step through the curtains.
“What are you guys doing here?” Nikki cried happily.
“Boyo here, came and saw me last night to ask for your hand,” Nikki’s father explained. “Then he asked if we’d like to go get some lunch on a cliff to celebrate.
“That’s why I couldn’t get a hold of you,” Nikki pointed accusatorily at Amy.
Amy blushed as she said, “I was scared if I talked to you, I would give something away. You know I’m a terrible liar. But, to make it up to you I brought you a change of clothes.”
“You are the best sister a girl could have,” Nikki squealed as she hugged her sister. She was glowing with happiness. Mike planned on doing everything in his power to make sure she stayed that way every day for the rest of their lives.
The cabin was a little crowded with so many people in it so Mike said, “There are cars waiting to take us to the Cliff House.”
Nikki’s head snapped up as her hands clutched at her chest. “We’re going to the Cliff House?”
“Well it was that or an elevator,” Mike teased.
Nikki threw her arms around him and kissed him in a very un-G-rated fashion.
“Alright now,” Nikki’s father said gruffly as everyone started moving to the door, “You’re not husband and wife yet.”
Nikki laughed and shook her head. As they stepped down the steps she said, “You were pretty confident for a guy whose phone calls I wasn’t returning. What would you have done with all of them if I had said no?”
“If you’d said ‘no’, they would have been here for moral support,” Mike explained as he placed his hand on her back as they walked the short distance to the sedans waiting to take them to the Cliff House.
> “Why would I have needed moral support?” Nikki looked up at him with her brows knitted together.
“Not for you. For me.”
Nikki’s head fell back as she laughed a deep belly laugh.
The phone in Mike’s pocket buzzed and he pulled it out.
“We are on our way,” Maribel announced happily. “I’m assuming she said ‘yes’.”
“She did,” Mike confirmed with a smile that he was pretty sure was going to be a permanent fixture on his face. “See you guys soon.”
He hung up and put the phone back in his pocket.
“Who was that?” Nikki asked as she and Mike stepped into the town car.
“That was Maribel; she, Jane, and Laura are on their way to meet us at the Cliff House.”
“Your cousin?” Nikki’s eyes lit up.
“Yep, I wanted our family to be here to celebrate with us.”
“Are your parents coming?” Nikki asked and Mike had to give her credit for not scowling while the question left her lips.
“No, they are my relatives not my family,” Mike assured her.
She nodded solemnly. “I’m, sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said leaning over and kissing her briefly.
Her face lit up and she lifted her hand displaying her engagement ring. “Soon, I will be your family. Legally!”
Threading his hands though her hair, he tilted her head and pressed his lips fully against hers. Kissing her with all the pent up love he felt for her. His body quickly responded to the kiss and must not have gotten the memo that they were in the back of a car with a driver up front. Before things got too hot for prying eyes, he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. Her sweet breath fanned his face as they both tried to steady their labored breathing.
“I love you, Nikki soon-to-be Gowan.”
There was a twinkle in her eye as she said, “Soon to be Maguire-Gowan.”
“I love you, Nikki soon-to-be Maguire-Gowan,” he revised.
“I love you too,” she sighed happily as she leaned against Mike’s shoulder while they drove to the Cliff House.
Mike knew he needed to schedule a press conference to set the record on his engagement straight, he would actually have to tell his parents, and he had to make a few phone calls explaining his leaving the session so suddenly yesterday. But that could all wait. All he needed to do right now was be with Nikki. And love her. Forever.
Sneak Peek: Let It Snow
THE HOPE FALLS SERIES
Available February 2014
“Why can’t we play one more game?” Courtney whined as she stepped up to Jake and pressed her hands flat against his chest. The flirtatious redhead had just gotten back from the bar, where he’d seen her give Levi her number. “You said you’d play one more game. You can’t leave.”
He would tell her not to get her panties in a bunch, but since she wasn’t wearing any, there was no point.
“Can’t. I’ve got to be at the station early,” Jake explained as he grabbed his coat off the bar stool.
“Please Jakey.” Courtney’s whine had turned into a full pout, boo-boo lip and all. “I just want to play one more game. I almost won last time.”
If she really believed that she’d almost beaten him in a game of pool then either her IQ was several points lower than he’d originally given her credit for or she was delusional. Either way, his decisions not to take her home tonight and to introduce her to Levi instead were looking better and better.
“Yeah, come on Jakey. One more game.” Randy put his bottom lip out. Chris and Peter folded their hands together in silent pleas.
Of course the guys wanted him to play one more game. It would give them more opportunities to look up Courtney’s too-short skirt and down her low-cut shirt.
“Nope, I’m tired. I’m headin’ home.” Jake pulled on his North Face down jacket as they were all booing.
“You’re no fun now that you’re a white shirt,” Chris yelled out.
Jake agreed that he had been different ever since his promotion to chief but only because it coincided with him buying the Shady Creek Lane house, which had been the true catalyst for his change in behavior.
“Old Jake just can’t hang anymore,” Peter goaded him loudly.
Jake smiled, shaking his head while lifting his hands and flipping both Chris and Peter the double bird as he turned to leave. Before he’d even made it a step he was stopped up short.
His brother Eric was headed his way, and he was in uniform, which meant he must be covering someone’s shift. Now that he was the Police Chief, he normally dressed in a suit and tie. The stone-faced expression he wore made Jake’s chest tighten.
“What’s wrong? Are the girls okay? Mom and Dad?”
“Everyone’s fine.” Eric moved closer to him and lowered his voice, his tone in full 'cop' mode, “Dispatch received several calls about a car swerving in the rain out on the highway. One caller said that the vehicle turned into JT’s parking lot. I arrived and found the vehicle that matched the caller’s description parked in front and I ran the plate…” Eric paused.
Jake waited, but Eric didn’t say anything else. Maybe working all these doubles and planning his and Lily’s wedding had fried Eric’s brain. Slapping him on his shoulder Jake cleared his throat, “That’s a great story bro. You feelin’ alright? How much longer you got on your shift?”
Eric narrowed his eyes and sighed, “The vehicle is registered to-”
“Did you find the bathroom okay?” Jake heard Courtney’s annoyingly high pitched voice from behind him and felt her fingers wrap tightly around his bicep.
What the hell?
He turned to see what Courtney could possibly be talking about and why she was touching him and when he did he came face to face with…
“Tessa Hayes,” Eric said quietly.
Jake’s heart slammed into his chest and his body went completely numb. He stood perfectly still, not moving a muscle. He didn’t even blink out of fear that if he did she would disappear. Again. She didn’t, but in that moment the entire bar disappeared. The entire world disappeared. All he could see, all that existed was Tessa.
She hadn’t changed much in the thirteen years, seven months, two weeks, three days and about ten hours since he’d seen her last. Not that he was counting.
Her hair was a little shorter now, falling right at her shoulders, where it used to flow down to the middle of her back. Her cheekbones stood a little more pronounced on her rounded cheeks. She still had crystal blue eyes outlined with long dark lashes, a button nose, and full lips that his body instantly responded to without getting permission from his brain.
“Hi, Jake,” Tessa spoke softly, the way she had when they’d gone camping and she’d woken him up in the tent to tell him that she wanted him to be her first, and then after, when she’d asked him never to let her go.
Her voice washed over him like the heated flames from a structural fire. Hot and consuming. Jake couldn’t speak. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe.
“Hey, Tessa,” Eric moved beside Jake.
Tessa blinked, as if his brother’s words had snapped her out of a trance. “Oh, Eric. Hi,” she said, shaking her head as the corner of her mouth turned up in a half-smile, the way it always did when she was feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. Her eyes widened and she asked, “Wow, so you’re a police officer?”
“He’s the Chief of Police,” Courtney chimed in. Even through his jacket Jake could feel her nails dug into his bicep. She gripped his arm tighter as she extended her free hand and in a not-so-friendly-tone introduced herself, “I’m Courtney, by the way.”
“Oh, hi. I’m Tessa.” She lifted her hand in a little wave and then turned to Eric. Jake watched, captivated, as her face lit up the same way it had when he’d scored the winning touchdown at Homecoming or when his little sister Nikki had learned to French braid her own hair. Tessa genuinely cared, no matter how small or big the accomplishment. “Police Chief. Wow, that’s great.
Congratulations.”
“Thanks. How have you been Tessa?” Eric asked warmly.
The light that had just sparkled in her eyes dimmed slightly. Maybe no one else would even notice. But Jake did.
“Oh, you know. Hangin’ in there,” she said with a tight smile, glancing between the three of them. Jake wasn’t sure if she was just uncomfortable with the current situation or if it was more than that.
As she continued talking to his brother, Jake’s eyes traveled down her body. A loose, long-sleeved white cotton shirt that was wet clung to her form, showcasing the curves that his body still ached for. She wore light blue jeans with a hole in the knee and pink sandals. Her delicate toes were painted a deep shade of purple.
Purple. That meant she was sad.
Jake’s eyes flew to hers and he noticed things he hadn’t at first glance. Dark circles under her eyes. A small wrinkle in between her perfectly arched brows. Her skin was paler than usual.
“I’m sorry for your loss. When did she pass?” His brother’s question cut through the Tessa-induced-fog that had taken up residence in Jake’s brain.
“Almost nine months ago,” Tessa’s voice wavered and her eyes filled with moisture.
“Adeline passed?” the words came out of Jake’s mouth before he could stop them.
Tessa sucked in a barely audible breath as her head jerked up to meet his gaze. Her vivid blue eyes wide and mouth open as she stared silently at him.
Shit. He couldn’t believe after all this time those were the first words he spoke to her. Before he had a chance to say anything else Tessa swallowed hard and confirmed, “Yes.”
“I’m sorry,” Jake’s hands fisted at his sides. His first instinct was to pull her into his arms. To hold her and tell her that everything was going to be okay. That he would make sure of it. But, last time he’d done that, she'd left, and she hadn’t come back until today. His need to touch her, to comfort her, was so strong he had to actively stop himself from reaching out to hold her.
Snowed In Page 24
