Completely thrown off my axis with this, I take a minute and remind myself that we share the same vision. “Then maybe it’s meant to be. Can we see it today?”
He turns around fully and picks me up. “Yeah, you want to go see it?”
He twirls me around and then sits me on the island. I can feel his breath on my face, and my heart flutters in my chest. With his hands cupping my face, he kisses me softly. Prickling spreads throughout my body. This man drives me crazy. He slides histongue through my lips, and it’s the most sensual kiss. It feels like he is making love to my mouth. Pulling away, he stares at me with those amber-rimmed eyes, and I’m done for—panties soaked. “I’ll make an appointment right now.”
The house door opens, and we step into the house. The property was perfect. It was a level lot, and we could build far enough away from the lake so we have an expansive yard that will lead down to the water’s edge. There is enough room to build a garage, which is a must have. The views will be spectacular.
“Should I put in an offer?”
Bouncing on my toes and grabbing his neck to hug him, I say, “Jude, it’s perfect. Yes!”
He’s my home, and it feels like we’ve been together forever.
“Why don’t you relax and read one of your books? I’m going to prepare some things in the kitchen, and then I’ll come sit with you.”
That sounds like a perfect way to spend the rest of the afternoon. Heading to the living room, I swipe my book from the couch and open the sliding glass door. The sun warms the air as I walk to my zero-gravity chair. I sit down, lean back, and enjoy the warmth before reading. It feels good on my exposed skin. Once I’m warm enough, I open my book and start reading.
I’m not sure how much time has passed, but I’ve almost finished my book. I thought Jude was coming out onto the deck. I close my book and make my way back to the kitchen.
What is he up to? There’s food all over the island, like he’s making dinner. I love it when he cooks for me. “What’s all this for?”
“I have a little surprise for you.”
“Full of those today, aren’t you?”
As he continues to prepare the food, it almost looks like he’s making chicken stir fry. My mind floods with memories of our breakup twelve years ago. My stomach aches and feels like it’s in knots, and I know it must be written all over my face.
He stops what he’s doing and rushes over to me. “Sweetheart, I want to start fresh tonight, and I thought if we could bring all this full circle, it would help us remember the wonderful memories and all the healing we’ve done.”
I can’t even with this man. He thinks of everything. “Okay, you’re the best.” I pause to kiss him passionately. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” After a quick hug, he’s back to getting dinner ready.
Having washed my hands, I help him make dinner, and everything is smooth as we work together. We finish dinner in record time, and I set the table to eat. The smell of chicken and soy sauce fills the house. Jude comes in with two beautiful crystal candle holders and white tapers. Then he lights them and dims the lights.
He’ssoup to something.
The food is on the table, and we sit. He is at the head of the table, and I’m on the side. He holds my hand and squeezes. We eat dinner and talk more about the land and what we want in our dream home. It’s a relief that we like a lot of the same luxuries.
“I hope it doesn’t take long to hear if our offer is accepted,” he admits, his voice is full of excitement.
He finishes first and excuses himself from the table as I take my last few bites. Just as I put my fork down, he comes in with dessert. Where did that come from? Sneaky guy! “Are you hiding desserts now?”
His head tilts back, and he laughs hard, then says, “Yes, hiding it from you. It’s your favorite—chocolate flourless cake.”
He places the dish on the table. My mouth waters. I can’t wait to dig in, but out of the corner of my eye, I see he takes a black velvet box out of his pocket. Ah, what is that? No, not yet. I want to marry him, no doubt, but I’m not ready for that. Sweat forms on my body, and I must have a face on again because he says, “Faith, it’s not what you think.” He hands me the box. “I wanted to surprise you with this to start our new chapter of love, promises, and our future.”
He is surprising me, that’s for sure. Slowly opening the box, my heart practically jumps out of my chest when I see it. It’s my promise ring I left on his dining room table all those years ago. He kept it. The sobs come full force, but this time they’re happy tears. I take the ring out, and he puts it on my finger. He places his hand on top of mine. He’s got his Claddagh ring on too.
“I promise to love you forever. I promise to treat you the way you deserve and make you the happiest woman alive. We are rewriting our love story, sweetheart.”
EPILOGUE
FAITH: 3 YEARS LATER
“Jude! Jude, come quick. She’s walking.”
He comes flying through the doorway just in time to see our daughter, Hope, taking her first steps. We are both cheering her on—and then she falls. He swoops in, picks her up, and spins her around over his head. I jump to my feet, and when they stop, I hug them both. Our lives have been nothing short of a series of miracles. When I found out I was pregnant, it was a day we will never forget, and now we’re celebrating her birthday.
