“No,” Terry said quickly. “It’s a warning. Victor Martin is not someone you want as an enemy. He’s ruthless, and he doesn’t give up. If he wants the inn, he’ll get it, no matter what it takes.”
“We’ll see about that,” Jane said.
“Please,” Terry said desperately. “I know I have no right to ask for anything. But if you care about your family, Jane, convince them to take the offer that’s coming. It’s generous. You, yourfather, and your grandmother will walk away with enough to start over somewhere else. If you keep fighting, Victor will find a way to take the inn anyway, and your family, Jane, will end up with nothing.”
“My father would never give up the inn,” Jane said firmly. “It’s been in our family for generations.”
“Then I’m sorry,” Terry said, and she sounded like she meant it. “Because this won’t end well for any of you.”
Gabe had heard enough. “We’re done here. You’ve said your piece. Now leave my mother alone. No more messages, no more attempts to ‘clear the air.’ If she wants to reach out to you someday, that’s her choice. But stop harassing her.”
“I will,” Terry promised. “Gabe, I really am sorry. About Trinity, about everything. I know it doesn’t change anything, but I am.”
“You’re right,” Gabe said. “It doesn’t change anything.”
He looked at Terry one more time, this woman who had been like an aunt to him growing up, who had come to his high school graduation and his wedding to Abi. And he felt nothing but disappointment and anger.
“Make sure my father signs those papers,” Gabe said. “That’s all I want from either of you right now.”
Terry nodded, tears still streaming down her face. “He will. I promise.”
“And Terry?” Gabe added. “Simon won’t be on my wedding list. I hope youunderstand.”
Terry gasped, her eyes going wide. She looked at Jane, realization dawning on her face.
But before she could say anything, Gabe took Jane’s hand and turned away, leading her back toward the parking lot.
They walked in silence until they reached Jane’s truck. Only when they were inside with the doors closed did Jane speak.
“Gabe, why did you say that?” Jane asked, her voice filled with surprise. “About a wedding? We haven’t even discussed that yet.”
Gabe reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal an antique ring. A beautiful sapphire surrounded by small diamonds in an intricate gold setting.
“Last night, my mother came to me,” Gabe said softly. “She gave me this ring. It belonged to her mother, my grandmother. Mom said she had no idea why, but when she was packing for this trip, she felt compelled to bring it with her. And now she knows why. She said this ring was meant for you.”
Jane’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at the ring.
“When Abi and I got married, she just wanted a simple wedding band,” Gabe continued. “She said the engagement ring wasn’t meant for her. At the time, I didn’t understand what she meant. But now I do. She knew, somehow, that this ring was waiting for someone else. For you.”
“Gabe,” Jane whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
“I know we’re taking things slow,” Gabe said. “And I’m not proposing right now. But I wanted you to see it. To know that when the time is right—and we’ll both know when that is—this is the ring I want to give you. If you like it, that is.”
“It’s beautiful,” Jane said, reaching out to touch the sapphire gently. “It’s perfect.”
“There’s just one problem,” Gabe said with a slight smile. “My grandmother had tiny fingers. So I thought, if you’re okay with it, we could stop by a jeweler on the way home. Get it sized for you. That way, when I do propose, it’ll be ready.”
Jane looked at him with so much love in her eyes that Gabe felt his breath catch.
“I’d love that,” Jane said. “But Gabe, I have to ask, are you sure? We’ve only known each other for a couple of weeks. This is fast.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” Gabe said honestly. “Jane, I spent six years running from my grief, throwing myself into danger because I didn’t think I deserved to be happy after Abi died. And then I met you, and for the first time since I lost her, I can imagine a future. A real future, with love and happiness and hope.” He took her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “You don’t have to feel the same way. You don’t have to be ready for this. But I needed you to know how I feel. That I’m in love with you, Jane Evans. Completely, irrevocably in love with you.”
“I feel the same way about you,” Jane said, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I never thought I could love againafter Darren. I never thought I’d want to. But Gabe, you’ve shown me that it’s possible to honor the past while still embracing the future.”
Gabe leaned across the center console and kissed her, pouring everything he felt into it. When they finally pulled apart, both were smiling through their tears.
“Let’s go find that jeweler,” Jane said.
