“But you did find her.”
“I did. I literally walked into her store to buy baby gifts and there she was. It took some convincing to get her to go out with me.” He looked both ways and grinned, leaning toward Marnie. “Mary’s a cougar.”
Marnie laughed so loud she covered her mouth with her hand, shaking her head.
“It’s true. She’s older than I am and she thought that would matter to me. It didn’t. How could it when I knew the moment I saw her that she was the woman for me. She’s always been the woman for me and I wouldn’t change a damn thing about our lives.
“She gave me Wes, Marc, and Georgie. Three of the most beautiful children in the world. More grandchildren and greats than I count. . My world is Mary. Mary and our beautiful family.
“I was like Mitch. I was bold and declared that she was the one for me, way too soon. I scared her but what she didn’t know was that I was scared too. Terrified in fact.”
“Why? I mean, I can look at you and see that you’re a handsome, strong man. She’s beautiful but I would be intimidated by your looks as well.”
“Well, thank you,” he smirked. “But that was the problem. She thought that because of the way I looked and that she was beautifully round, curvy, and luscious, I wouldn’t want her.”
Marnie smiled at the man realizing just how much he truly loved his wife.
“But what if Mitch sees or wants something else in a year?”
“He won’t.”
“But what if he’s on a mission and is approached, out of sight out of mind?”
“He won’t.”
“What if…” He grabbed her hand, stopping her mid-sentence.
“Marnie, he would never, ever do that to you. He has said to all of us that you are the woman he’s been waiting for. His one and only. Now, the question becomes do you have feelings for him? Beyond physical attraction.”
“I-I’m not… I don’t…. Yes. I don’t understand any of this, but yes. He’s sweet and kind, he’s certainly handsome and beautiful to look at it but it’s so much more. He’s smart. Like the kind of smart you can’t get from books. And he’s funny. He makes me laugh.”
“Well, then,” he said standing. “Sounds like you’re about to have a date for tonight. I have it on good authority he’s planning to ask you out. Why don’t we take a walk in the gardens and go visit Gwen’s shop and pick up a new dress?”
Marnie stood and took his arm, smiling up at him. He had beautiful eyes, lines telling her of years of wisdom, laughter, and living. The long scar on his face did nothing to deter from his good looks. In fact, it only added to it.
“Alright, Mr. Jordan.”
“Angel.”
“Alright, Angel. But if he breaks my heart I’ll come crying to you.”
“If he breaks your heart I’ll kick his ass, family or no.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Should I be worried about that?” frowned Mitchell as he watched his great-grandfather and Marnie walk toward Gwen’s store.
“I hardly think he’s hitting on her, Mitch,” laughed his dad.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it. He might be telling her about all the stupid shit I did as a kid.” His father laughed, shaking his head.
“Mitch, you didn’t do anything stupid as a kid other than stupid kid shit. We all did that! Grandpa is making her feel better about herself. He’s telling her about Grandma and him. And, if I had to guess, he’s taking her to get a new dress for your date tonight.”
“My date?”
“Yes, you idiot,” laughed Brooks. “We’ve prepared a surprise for the two of you. A date for you beneath the gazebo near the river gardens. All your favorite foods, and hers too. So dress in something other than cargo shorts.”
“I have other things,” he said shyly.
