Her rounded stomach pressed against his. And Robert hoped they’d get to have a honeymoon before the baby came.
“But I told you at the hospital I didn’t want to rush this.”
“Yep.”
Jessie looked at him through half-closed lashes. “What word am I supposed to say?”
“What do you mean?” Robert's heart leapt in his throat.
“A few weeks ago, you said all I had to do is say the word, and you’d put your ring on my finger and book the church. Or was it Vegas?” She gave him a smile so big his heart stumbled. “But I don’t know what word I’m supposed to say.”
“Please don’t toy with me, Jess. I’ve waited way longer than any man should have to wait to marry the love of his life.”
“I’m not toying with you. I’m confident with who I am now, and I know what I want.” She smiled again, and his heart raced again.
“Are you sure? It might kill me, but I can wait until you’re ready.” He puffed out his chest in a show of bravado.
Jessie rolled her eyes. “Tell me the word I need to say.”
Robert couldn’t hold back a grin. “Tell me you love me and promise to never leave me again.”
“That’s...” She thought for a minute. “Like ten words.” But before Robert could comment, she cupped his face and gazed into his eyes. “Robert Blake Winters, I love you with all of my heart. And I promise I will never leave you again. Ever.”
She leaned in to kiss him, but Robert leaned back. He was so thrilled he couldn’t resist teasing her. “That was a lot more than ten words.”
“Well, now you know I do a good job of making a promise. And I intend to kee—.”
Robert couldn’t wait any longer. He crushed his mouth to hers. He kissed her long and hard, letting his lips communicate his desire for her.
They were both breathless by the time he pulled away.
“Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Robert rushed to his bedroom and pulled out the drawer where he’d kept the ring he bought for Jessie over five years ago. In his excitement, he pulled too hard and the whole drawer fell out. He caught the sidearm he stored there before it hit the floor. But everything else scattered at his feet.
“Shoot!” He set his gun on the dresser and dropped the drawer.
“Is everything okay?” Jessie called from the other room.
No, everything was not okay.Robert didn’t see the ring box anywhere. “Yes, I’ll be right there.”
He dropped to his knees and looked under the dresser. Too dark. Heart in his throat, he pulled the cell phone from his pocket and turned on the flashlight.
No ring box, but he definitely needed to move the dresser and vacuum under it. Robert’s heart sank.Where did it go?It was there just this morning.
The bed was far enough away, he didn’t think the box could have rolled that far, but he crawled over anyway. He shined his flashlight. It illuminated a black velvet ring box.
“Yes!”
“Robert, are you okay?”
He grabbed the box, sprang to his feet, and darted back to the family room. “I’m great!” He took Jessie’s hand and led her to the sofa. “Have a seat.” Dropping to one knee in front of her, he opened his mouth, but his mind went blank. He couldn’t remember a single word of the proposal he’d rehearsed so carefully five years ago. He couldn’t even remember other variations he’d been considering for the past few weeks.
Robert took a second to catch his breath, then he cleared his throat. “You’d think with thirteen years to prepare for this moment, I’d have something eloquent and profound to say, but all I can think of is: It’s always been you. Only you.” He squeezed her hand. “I love you, Jess. Way more than I did five years ago, and I want to reclaim your heart. Will you be my wife, my friend, and my partner forever?”
Robert opened the ring box to reveal the solitaire surrounded by smaller diamonds.
Jessie gasped, and tears filled her eyes. “You’ve had this beautiful ring for five years?” He nodded, and she smacked his shoulder.
He fought the urge to wince. His shoulder was still tender from the bullet wound.
