More than anything, Ben wanted God’s will in his relationship with Amelia. And if that meant waiting even longer, then he would do that, even though it would be the hardest thing he’d ever done.
The previous night, as he’d unpacked his things, he’d placed the ring he’d already chosen for her in the top drawer of the dresser. He had no idea when the right time might come to give it to her, but he was ready.
Though they might not have become an official couple yet, they had confessed their love for each other. As far as Ben was concerned, Amelia was the woman he wanted to marry.
He just hoped that she could understand that the love they shared would help build a foundation that was strong enough to face whatever came their way. Whether it was due to her health issues or something else. They were stronger together.
Her text that morning had revealed that she was having a high pain and fatigue day, though her emotional state was holding steady. He spent some time praying for relief for her, wondering as he did if she was aware that he was back at the estate.
Knowing the family grapevine the way he did, he suspected she might have heard of his arrival from someone. However, there was a way to let her know without him actually showing up at her door.
As he’d done on previous days when she’d been experiencing high fatigue or pain, he made plans for a delivery for her. Only this time, instead of using Brandon to take her the gifts, he’d use Luca.
With that in mind, he began to arrange what he wanted delivered to her.
It was just after five that afternoon when Luca pulled the SUV to a stop in front of Amelia’s building.
“Are you sure you don’t want to be the one taking this stuff to her?” Luca asked.
“Sure, I want to be the one,” Ben said. “But I can’t be. Not yet.”
“For a rather impulsive person, you’ve shown remarkable restraint over the past few months,” Luca said as he put the SUV in park.
“And it’s been one of the hardest things I’ve done,” Ben admitted. “I’m just glad she agreed to the limited contact we’ve had through texts and these deliveries. I probably would have lost my mind and caved early on if she’d cut things off between us completely.”
“Well, I’ll trust that you know what you’re doing now,” Luca said. “And go play Cupid for you.”
Ben chuckled as Luca got out of the SUV. The man opened the back door and retrieved the items they’d spent the afternoon gathering.
When Luca reached the security door, Ben could see that he was buzzed in right away. As the man disappeared from view, Ben glanced at Amelia’s balcony, his mind replaying the time they’d spent together there.
His heart thudded heavily in his chest as he waited for Luca to return. The delivery was more than just food this time. He’d bought her flowers and chocolate, too. But what he hoped sheenjoyed the most was a cozy onesie he’d found for her, which seemed appropriate, given the recent snowfall.
Luca seemed to be gone for an eternity. Ben hadn’t given Luca a message to pass on to Amelia beyond telling her that he hoped she felt better, so it shouldn’t have taken this long.
Eventually, the door to the building opened, and Luca stepped out and headed for the SUV. Ben looked up at the balcony again, his heart racing.
The curtain covering the door moved to the side, and for the first time in three months he saw Amelia’s face. The reflections on the glass distorted it, but he still knew it was her.
He lifted his hand in greeting, uncertain if she could see him. But when her hand pressed against the glass, warmth flooded him and gave him hope.
“How was she?” Ben asked as Luca slid behind the wheel of the SUV, bringing with him the crisp winter air.
“She looked good,” Luca said with a glance at him. “I have instructions to deliver you somewhere tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, really?” Ben felt a rush of excitement. “Where?”
“I’m not allowed to tell you that yet,” he said. “She just told me that I need to have you there at ten-thirty.”
“Oh, well, now I’m super curious.”
“Curiosity killed the cat,” Luca said dryly.
“Then consider me dead.”
Luca chuckled. “Don’t stress about it.”
“Maybe you should have waited to tell me about this meeting until tomorrow.”
