Our little girl.
Jake’s eyes went wide as he stared at Cass, unable to drag his gaze away.
He was wearing dark denim jeans that hugged his thighs, a tight white T-shirt that was frayed around the neck, but somehow, he made the distressed look sexy, but it was his boots that made me smile. Jake was a country boy. Always had been. Always would be. He’d always worn boots, but they were usually scuffed, muddy boots on his feet. Today, they looked brand new, polished to within an inch of their life and immaculate. Guess I wasn’t the only one feeling like I had to impress.
“Hi,” he mumbled as he dropped to one knee.
I’d imagined this moment. Dreamed about it for most of my life. I’d always thought Jake would propose on the top of the hill on his property at sunset. In our spot. I’d convinced myself he’d take off his hat, ruffle his hair the way he always did as the breeze floated around us. He’d take my hand and lead me from his truck, waiting until the right moment before dropping to his knee and asking me to be his forever. I’d imagined he’d pull his grandmother’s ring from his pocket before slipping the emerald and diamond ring on my finger. Then he’d kiss me, a kiss like no other we’d shared. This one would be the start of something of our happily ever after.
Seeing him on bended knee was making me think crazy thoughts. Jake wasn’t here for me. He was here for his daughter. Our daughter.
Pulling his arm out from behind his back, he held an adorable bunch of white daisies tied with a sparkly pink ribbon.
“Hi, Cassie. These are for you,” he offered, and Cass hid behind my leg.
It wasn’t unusual for Cass to be standoffish with new people, but she always came around. I just hoped Jake didn’t get disheartened by the first stumble and think less of her.
Bending down, I tugged Cass around to face me. “Hey, sweetheart, this is Jake. He’s come over to see you.”
“Me?” she exclaimed, sounding surprised, despite the fact we’d talked about him all week. I thought I had a few more years before she started ignoring me but obviously not.
“Yes. He bought you those pretty flowers. Can you go and say thank you?” I encouraged.
Pushing back to my feet, Cass took my hand and moved toward Jake. He looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. I wish I knew what he was thinking. His eyes were darting back and forth between Cassie and me. I could see the sweat beading on his forehead as he rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand.
“Thank you for my flowers,” Cass said politely, taking them from Jake and bringing them to her nose before taking a deep breath, only to pull away and sneeze.
Her cute little sneeze was exactly what we all needed. Something normal to break the overwhelming moment we were in.
“You’re very welcome, sweetheart,” Jake croaked, his voice thick with emotion.
“They’re very pretty flowers, Cassie. Why don't you come help me put them in water?” Mom offered, holding her hand out for Cassie.
With her face buried back in the petals, Cass ran over to Mom, took her hand, and let her lead her into the kitchen. It wasn’t until they’d vanished that I felt like I could breathe again.
“Jake—” I started, only to be cut off.
“She’s beautiful,” he forced out as a tear ran down his cheek.
I had no idea what to do. Should I hug him? Should I give him space? This was bullshit. It shouldn’t have been this hard.
Jake pushed up to his feet and buried his hands in his pockets, looking everywhere but at me.
I didn’t think.
I walked toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my head against the solid wall of his chest.
I didn’t mean to cry, but as soon as I felt his arms cocoon me against him, I couldn’t help it. All the fears, the anxieties, and the worries I’d been carrying with me from the moment Cassandra had been born, knowing one day this moment would come, were waterfalling from my eyes and drenching Jake’s shirt. When I felt him shudder in my arms, I knew I wasn’t the only one overwhelmed by the moment.
“Thank you,” he whispered, holding me close.
He smelled like heaven. Like musk and sandalwood and man. My man. Jake smelled like home, and I never wanted to let go.
“What for?” I asked, releasing my hold on him and stepping back, wiping away my tears, embarrassed by my snotty nose.
“For… for everything,” Jake said, turning away and wiping his eyes.
“I’ll go check on Cass. I thought we could take her to the park,” I offered, slipping out of the room and giving him a minute.
