“You keep saying that. Mylifestyle. Yes, we participated in many social gatherings in support of my grandfather, but you make it sound like I’m a partier or a playboy. I’m neither. I never have been.” He moved his hand from Grace’s sleeping shoulder to her curls. “Butsheis my lifestyle now. I’m a family man, and I’d like to make you and Alex a part of my family. I want you to be my partner in life.”
“Oh, Carlisle, you know how to say just the right things.” Merry’s words made his spirits lift with hope, but she continued. “You sound so reasonable, but what about our life together here? What do you expect of me?”
Our life together.His heart beat even faster. She was at least considering it.
“I expect you to do whatever you wish. You’re in the process of becoming a partner in your salon, but you’ve said your friend Ellie will manage it. If you enjoy being a stylist, I imagine you would continue to do that. Or anything else you’d like to do.”
“What about school for the kids?” she asked, her voice heating up. He held up a finger, indicated the children, and she lowered her voice. “I know private schools are a big deal in some circles. I’m not sending Alex off to one until he’s old enough to decide he wants to go. And I’m not about to get a daughter just to send her away too.”
Carlisle had to bite back a smile. Did Merry realize she sounded like she’d made up her mind and was merely placing conditions? She met his gaze, but he forced himself not to interrupt.
“There’s so much to decide. I’ve known enough people who’ve struggled through terrible marriages. I understand being twitterpated by a guy won’t get you through the tough spots in a marriage.”
“Are you twitterpated by me?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Regularly, and you know it, but don’t change the subject.” Merry glanced away.
Why was she still resisting? He could see she wanted this too. Frustration nearly overwhelmed him now. Carlisle shifted his daughter’s legs and stood, finding he was a little stiff from having sat so long. He faced Merry to make it harder for her to look away.
“So whatarethe facts? You’re a hard worker. I’m a hard worker. You’re a single parent who’s centered your life around your son. I’m a single parent who’s centered my life around my daughter. You’re committed to stay in Huckleberry Falls to be a support to your mother. I mean to support you in that as I hope you’ll help me to look after my grandfather. I want a future with you.” Carlisle dropped to his knees in front of her and put a hand on each of the children’s heads. “I love you, Merry. I trust that we’ll work through any differences we have. More than anything, I want you and Alex to be my family. I suppose you must decide if you trust me to make a life together.”
Tears glistened in her eyes, and he could see both the love and the worry in them. Then Alex shifted under his hand.
“Are you going to be my daddy?” The little boy didn’t wait for an answer but rolled on his back to look up at his mother. “If Grace’s papa is my papa, does that mean she’ll be my sister?”
“Are you feeling better now?” Merry asked her son.
“I’mhungry.” But Alex wasn’t about to let his mother divert him. He sat up and shook Grace’s head. “My mom’s going to marry your dad.”
“I didn’t say that,” Merry argued.
“Papa?” Carlisle’s daughter reached out for him, and he picked her up, resigned to finish this negotiation later.
“You don’t feel as hot now.” He pushed her curls away from her forehead. “How’s your tummy feeling?”
“I’m hungry.”
Merry gave a soft laugh, and Carlisle met her gaze.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too.” She let out a breath. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Yay!” Alex cried as Carlisle set a squealing Grace next to him.
He pulled Merry to her feet. “Somehow, it seems fitting this should happen with our children here.”
While the little ones danced around them, he wrapped Merry in his arms and did his best to kiss her as senseless as she made him.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
“Sweetheart, you look so beautiful,” Linda Jackson said as she spread out the waist-length white veil.
“No, Mother. You outdid yourself on this one.”
Merry ran her fingers lightly over the intricate navy-colored appliques on the bodice. She loved how they flowed into the more transparent navy at the top of the skirt and into the white at the bottom of the gown.
