Real Men Knit(87)

Finally, she looked up at him, eyes glistening, and nodded. Lord, could he breathe again?

“I thought I told you I’m nobody’s girl.”

“Oh Miss Kerry, I know it, but can’t you make an exception for me? Throw a dude a bone? Say, trade Kerry Girl in and become my woman. Let me be your man. However you’ll have me or want me. Please let me be that or die happily trying?”

She stared at him for a long time—or, who knew, maybe it was just a moment—before she smiled, and it was as if the sun finally shone on him again. She blinked, and he saw the tears in her eyes. “You don’t have to try to be anything you’re not, Jesse Strong. Don’t you know I’ve always loved who you are, that it was more than enough for me?”

It took all he had not to pass out in the middle of that crowd of kids. But shit if he didn’t feel his whole world spin forward, backward, tilt and then right itself again. He may have actually swooned too, because there was Lucas’s hand for a moment, righting him, and Kerry laughing as she wrapped an arm around his neck, her fingers lightly caressing his nape.

She grinned playfully then and held up the shawl. “Still, it took you long enough,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for a handknit gift from you forever.”

He let out a breath and laughed. “And I’ve been waiting to tell you I love you for forever.”

And just when he thought the noise couldn’t get louder, Kerry told him she loved him too and kissed him.

“Get it, Miss Kerry!” a girl whooped.

“I’m gonna take up knitting!” a little boy said.

“Okay, cut it out,” Val said in Jesse’s ear. “I just got this good job and now I’m gonna have to deal with angry letters from parents. Damn you, pretty-assed Jesse Strong!”