Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold #19)(70)

Her car door opened from the outside. She stared up at Jonny.

“Madeline? What’s going on? I heard a car drive up. It’s practically a blizzard. You shouldn’t be driving. Are you okay?”

She flung herself at him. As she was wearing a seat belt, that didn’t go well. She had to unfasten it and fling herself a second time. She wrapped her arms around him and hung on.

“I’m sorry,” she told him. “I’m so sorry. I was wrong. No, I was scared and wrong. I didn’t give you a chance. I never told you the truth. I love you and that terrifies me. What if you don’t love me back? What if you start dating Julia Roberts? Or Jennifer Lawrence? Or some other perfect star? What if—”

He pressed his fingers to her mouth to quiet her. “Shh,” he murmured. “Let’s get you inside.”

She pushed his fingers away. “No. You have to understand. I love you. I want to be with you. I was so afraid. I lashed out and ran. Technically I pushed you away, but you know what I mean. I’m sorry.”

He stared into her eyes for a long time. “I was scared, too,” he admitted. “Scared of losing again. So I hid behind what I did because it was easier than admitting the truth. Even when Ginger tried to tell me, I wouldn’t listen.”

He smiled at her. “I love you, Madeline. I’ve been hiding from that for a while now, but I’m not going to anymore. I hadn’t figured out how to convince you to give us a chance, but I was working on it.”

“Really? You’re not going to marry Julia Roberts?”

“She’s already married and maybe a little old for me.”

“Oh, right. So Jennifer Lawrence?”

“I’m going to marry you, if you’ll have me.”

“What?”

Was it her or had the snow suddenly started spinning? Okay, it was just her.

He drew her to the side, then got in her car and turned off the engine. After collecting her keys and her bag, he got out and then put his arm around her.

“Let’s get into the house,” he said. “You’re shivering and I’m sure Raven is worried.”

“You proposed.” How could he be worried about something as mundane as cold when he’d just proposed?

“I did and I’d like an answer. But you’re here and you love me, so the rest of it can wait.”

They walked into the house. Raven greeted them both and then returned to her plaid bed. Jonny put Madeline’s keys and bag on the entry table, before pulling her close and kissing her.

“Thank you for coming to see me,” he said. “I was going to talk to you in the morning. I had no idea what I was going to say.”

“You could have said I was an idiot.”

“Probably not how I would have started.”

She smiled up at him, then wrapped her arms around him. “I love you and I’m not letting go.”

“Me, either. I love you, Madeline.”

“Even though I’m ordinary?”

“Because you’re extraordinary.”

Words designed to make a girl weak at the knees. Who was she to try to be different?

She kissed him. “Yes, Jonny Blaze, I’ll marry you.” She grinned. “You know, there’s a really beautiful dress just sitting in my office. Maybe I should try it on.”

“Not your style.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes. But whatever you choose, you’ll be beautiful and I’ll be the luckiest man in the world.”

He put his arm around her and led her into the family room. They settled on the sofa, near the tree, and hung on to each other. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“Let’s not tell anyone until after Ginger’s wedding,” she said. “About us. The day should be about her and Oliver. I don’t want to distract from that.”

Instead of answering, Jonny kissed her. He wrapped his arms around her and lowered her back on the sofa. As his body moved over hers, she knew that the sparks she felt were so much more. They were bolts of lightning...just like she’d been promised.

EPILOGUE

JONNY SMILED AT his sister. “You’re beautiful.”

“Thanks. I’m nervous. I didn’t think I would be, but I am.”

They stood in the alcove of the converted barn. All the guests were in place and music played. Oliver stood with his brother and Mayor Marsha, who would be marrying the couple. The woman had many skills, he thought.

“You’re sure about this guy?” he asked.

Ginger relaxed. “I am. He’s the one. I love him.” She hugged Jonny. “Thank you for my beautiful wedding. It’s perfect.”

He glanced at the twinkle lights and the flowers, the way the chairs were set up, the long center aisle, covered in rose petals. At the other end of the barn, the tables were ready. Candles glowed and the dishes were in place.

He knew that Madeline had already confirmed everything. That Ana Raquel and her husband were prepared with the food and the bar stations were stocked. Outside, ice sculptures gleamed in the clear night. Floodlights marked the path to the house.

“I’m glad you’re happy,” he told his sister. “I had a good time planning your wedding.”

She laughed softly. “You did an excellent job. It’s much less over the top than I expected. No fireworks.”