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On the drive back, Richard kept one hand on the wheel and the other resting on my thigh. I watched the dark houses pass outside the window and tried not to think about Leanne leaving.

“You’re sad,” Richard said.

“I’m happy for her.” I sighed. “Yes. I’m a little sad.”

“Understandable.”

“She is my best friend. She has wanted this for years. I would never want her to stay here just because I’ll miss her.”

“That doesn’t make missing her easier.”

“Yeah. At least things went better than expected with Dad,” I said.

“I liked him.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. He’s protective of you.”

I laughed softly and leaned back against the seat. “He asked too many questions.”

“Don’t apologize for your father caring about you.”

I looked at him in the dim light from the dashboard. “You always sound so sure.”

“I usually am.”

“That must be nice.”

His mouth curved. “It has its advantages.”

The car slowed at a red light. He turned his head and looked at me fully, and the noise in my mind quieted.

“I’m going to marry you, Samantha Whitmore.”

My breath caught.

His certainty made the words sound final, a decision he had already made. For some reason, that didn’t scare me.

A reasonable woman might have laughed it off or told him it was too soon. A careful woman might have reminded him that we were still learning each other. I had always thought of myself as both reasonable and careful.

With Richard, I was starting to become someone else.

I smiled before I could stop myself. “Someday?”

“Someday…soon.”

The light turned green, but he did not move right away.

I leaned across the console and kissed him. When I pulled back, Richard watched me with a softness that made my chest hurt.

“You’re serious?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “You’re mine.”

Chapter 14

Maggie