Lucas handed it over, relieved it didn’t appear he’d done any wrong. “I recently moved back, but I have my temporary registration attached that matches the address on my license.”
Beau’s address, that he would have to soon change again.
“Thank you. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Anxious to get to Serena, he watched in the rearview mirror for the deputy to return. The five-minute wait seemed to take an hour. The deputy strolled to Lucas’s open window and returned his paperwork. “Everything checks out, and I won’t give you an inspection ticket, but get it fixed.”
“I will.”
“Have a good day. Drive safely.”
“Thank you. You too.” After the deputy was in his car, Lucas carefully entered the road, the temptation to speed curbed by the sheriff’s car behind him.
He whipped into Serena’s driveway, ran to the door and slowed only once he reached the steps. Forgoing the doorbell, he raised his hand to knock, but Serena opened the door before he could. She wore black pants and a frilly pink shirt that fit her perfectly, but her eyes were swollen and red.
She let him in and closed the door behind them. “You didn’t have to rush over here.”
“You needed me.” He took a calming breath and let it out slowly. “Plus, I might be the reason you’re upset.”
“Huh?”
Plan B came into full view in his head. It wasn’t as romantic or extravagant as the original, but it would be heartfelt. “Can we go outside? It’s a nice day.”
She eyed him warily, but proceeded to walk through the living room, then dining room, and then the back door.
Lucas took her hand and led her to the pecan tree in the far corner of the yard. “Do you remember what happened here?”
A tentative smiled formed on her mouth. “Our first kiss.”
“I was so nervous.”
“I could tell.” She giggled. “You missed my lips and got my cheek.”
A lazy smile took over and he leaned against the trunk. “I’m pretty sure I made up for it.”
Her cheeks darkened with an adorable blush. “You did.”
“Do you remember what else happened?”
She breathed in a breath and let it out. “You told me you loved me for the first time.”
He nodded slowly. “I’ve never stopped loving you and would do anything to make you happy.”
Lightly touching his face, she leaned in. “I know that.”
“I’m the one who bought this house.”
She stepped back with widened eyes. “You did what?”
“This house means more to you than any other tangible item in the world. I couldn’t let it fall into the hands of anyone else.”
He clearly wasn’t doing a good job explaining because her eyes reflected confusion. “It will be your home, though. Not mine.”
Reaching out, he took her hands in his and shook his head. “It will be our home. Mine, yours, Cecily’s, and any other children who come along.”
She arched a brow. “Other children?”
“After we’re married this time.”
