Midnight Kiss (Virgin River #12)(46)

Nonsense. She hugged the package to her as solemn blue eyes studied hers. “Am I too heavy?”

“Not a bit. I’m thinking I could be happy like this for a long while.”

Inside Jordan something eased, uncoiling when she hadn’t even known she was tightly wound. “We’re so different.”

“Yes.” He nodded, his smile solemn. “That’s us, sweet heart. The Odd Couple.”

But she didn’t have a sassy comeback this time. “Are we? A couple?”

His gaze never left hers. “I’m thinking yes.”

“But why, Will? I’m—”

“Shhh,” he whispered, placing one gloved finger across her lips. “’Tis useless to wonder the why of it, sweetheart. I’ll gladly speak with you for hours of what I love about you, but it isn’t your head you must be heeding—it’s your heart that needs to be heard.”

Love. No. “I don’t let my heart call the shots, and you shouldn’t either. You barely know me.”

“Ah, but you, my stubborn sweetheart, cannot tell my heart whom to adore.” He bounced her gently. “Now, will you open this present before I expire from the heat?”

“Sorry.” She was surprised to feel reluctant. Once she started opening the wrapping, it would soon be over, this special surprise. “Maybe I’ll wait until tomorrow, after all.”

He shrugged. “You may wait…but I’ll not be leaving until I see your face.” He stretched and yawned. “Best be getting the sofa ready, Jordan darlin’. It’s been a long day.” But his smile was wide as if he was certain she’d crack.

She hugged it once more. “Thank you, Will. This is a wonderful surprise.”

“As was my window.” Pleasure beamed from his face. “I hope you like what’s inside as much.”

For the first time, she understood that he was nervous, and somehow that settled her. She began to open it carefully.

“Hmm. I always pictured you tearing into packages, ripping paper with abandon.”

She shot him a glance, then grinned. “Oh, what the hell—you’re right.” She reverted to type and tore at the wrapping, eager to get inside.

Once she did, her heart stuttered. Lifting out the most exquisite wooden jewelry box she’d ever seen, Jordan gasped. “Oh, Will—this is beautiful.” She pushed the wrappings aside and settled the gift on her lap, running her fingers over the silky-smooth edges, the tiny golden hinges, the beautiful carving of a Celtic design with her name worked inside the coils.

She glanced at Will, who watched her closely. “I’ve never seen anything so exquisite. You made this, didn’t you?”

He nodded solemnly. “Don’t you want to look inside?”

“I do.” Barely able to tear her gaze away from his, she started to open the lid, but it didn’t immediately lift.

“Here, press this.” His gloved hand was too big, so he bared it, then pointed to a tiny recess.

Jordan marveled that those big hands could perform such delicate craftsmanship. With trembling fingers, she pressed against the recess and heard a click. The lid opened slightly, and she raised it to peer inside.

Jordan gasped again. Delicate as the air, a slender golden chain rested on dark blue velvet, a heart worked in hammered gold dangling from it, a blood-red ruby nestled inside the gold. She lifted it in her fingers and watched it catch the light, then darted her gaze to Will.

He looked less certain of himself than she’d ever seen him. Vulnerable. She thought she liked that, and she smiled.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

There was no way she could tease a man whose heart was in his eyes like that. No matter how much it frightened her or what accepting this might mean.

But she had to ask. “What does this mean, Will?”

“’Tis only a little trinket, nothing special.” But his eyes told the lie.

“Will, I…”

“Let’s see how it looks.” He shed his remaining glove, then took the necklace from her. “Turn around.”

Jordan obeyed, and he fastened it around her neck, then opened the top of the jewelry box wider so she could examine it in the mirror. The heart lay nestled just below the hollow of her throat, the ruby catching the light.

Will’s finger traced around the heart, and his touch burned against her skin. Their eyes met in the mirror.

Jordan swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “Will, I’m overwhelmed. The necklace… I’ve never had anything so delicate. And the box is incredible…. I can’t believe you made this. You shouldn’t be building houses. You’re an artisan. You could make a fortune on something like this.”

“Ah, but a fortune isn’t important to me, Jordan darlin’. I don’t want masses of people buying work I completed in haste to satisfy a banker. Money is not the measure—it’s the pleasure in the eyes of the recipient that’s my reward. The hours I spend are precious to me, and I will not invest them to be paying overhead or keeping my attention on the bottom line. This work is my joy, and I only ask to be present to see the reaction when my work is received.”

“Did you see what you needed tonight?” She couldn’t imagine the hours this must have taken.

He held her gaze in his. “Yes, darlin’, I did.”