The Billionaire's Matchmaker(38)

He laughed. “No. We’re lucky not to have that kind of trouble here.”

“What about in Afghanistan.”

“I was MP. Military Police. And I wasn’t about to shoot one of our own guys.”

A confirming gasp rippled through the room as if they were little patriots who understood, and his heart lurched. He only ever saw kids at family functions, and usually they were as bored and crabby as he was in his parents’ sterile mansion. But these kids were real. Normal. In their own environment, they were fun. Funny.

And they got to him. This was what Marney wanted. Not just sex, but a life. The life he’d wanted before his ex had cheated on him. That was why he’d felt so odd the night before and this morning. He might have made rules, decisions, but his heart had always had other plans. He’d tumbled into love without even realizing it.

“Do you have a dog?”

“No, but my friend has a dog. His name is Charlie.”

He’d had the dog in his hands that morning as if life—or Charlie—was giving him a second chance.

But he’d dropped the ball. Because he was afraid.

The big, tough policeman these kids looked up to was afraid.

…

Marney stared at her computer screen, refusing to let herself think about anything but jewelry. A knock sounded on her door.

Without looking up she said, “Go away, Claudette. I need another six hours with this piece before I’ll be happy with it.”

Claudette said nothing, but the door opened. She looked up to politely remind her staffer that she didn’t wish to be bothered, but she didn’t see anyone.

She did, however, hear a bark. Then Charlie scampered over and nudged her ankle.

Claudette’s shaking voice came through the crack of the open door. “The Sheriff’s here. He wants to talk to you.”

Her pulse raced. He was here? Oh, Lord. She didn’t want to break down in front of impressionable Claudette. And she definitely would break down if he tried to explain again why he didn’t love her. “Tell him I’m busy.”

Claudette didn’t say anything else. She simply closed the door. But Charlie tugged on her pant leg.

“Stop that!”

He barked, grabbed the hem of her pants again and tugged again.

“Stop!”

He barked, grabbed her hem and tugged.

“For the love of pity and peace! Stop, Charlie! I’m not leaving this room.”

The door opened a crack. “I know from experience he isn’t going to stop until you do what he wants.”

Her head snapped up. There was no mistaking the masculine sound of Dell’s voice.

Charlie began barking like a crazy dog. With a sigh, she rose, walked to the door and opened it completely. Then walked back to her desk and took her seat again.

Hat in hand, Dell strolled in. “I need to talk to you.”

“I think we established this morning that you’ve already said everything you want to say.”

“Yeah, well, that was before I went to first grade this afternoon for career day.” He paused. “I saw a little girl who looked like what you probably looked like as a little girl.”

“Peachy.”

“And a little boy who looked like me…and acted like me.” He shook his head with a laugh. “Our kids would be incredible.”

She peeked up at him. “Our kids? With me raising them alone because you keep secrets?”

“I don’t want secrets anymore. Yes, I’ll still be sheriff, but there’s no reason to hide my roots—especially if I’m going to raise our kids with you.”

Her heart stalled and blood rushed to her head. But she’d made wrong assumptions before. She wouldn’t make one again. “Are we going to share custody, shack up, or are you asking me to marry you?”

“I’m asking you to marry me.”

Shock froze her in place, but the warmth in his eyes quickly melted it. He meant it. He wanted to marry her. And he wanted kids. He wanted a life together.

She burst off her chair and into his arms. “Yes!”

He caught her face between his hands, his gaze searched her eyes. “My heart knew last night that I’d fallen in love with you. It just took those kids to remind me of who I was and what I wanted. A real life…with you.”

She squeezed her eyes shut then popped them open again, just to be sure this was actually happening.

He still stood in front of her, holding her.

He laughed. “Having a little trouble believing this is real?”

He knew her so well. She should have known better than to close her eyes.

He reached into his back pocket, pulled out a little box. “Maybe this will help.”

He opened the box and presented her with a two-carat diamond surrounded by little diamonds that made a square.

“Oh, my God.”

He dropped to one knee. “Since we’re doing this, let’s do it right. Miss Marney Fields, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

The tears that backed up behind her eyelids this time were happy tears. “Yes.”

She held out her hand, and he slid on the ring.

The earth shifted. She swore she felt a click. The past was gone. The future was ahead of them. And he was hers.

Forever.

“Wanna go home and make some soup?” She grinned.