Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(87)
“Immediately.”
“Just like that?” She pulled her arm out of his.
He took her hand. “Can we talk about my initial idea of leaving the kids with you while I travel back and forth on the weekends?”
Her blue eyes grew luminous. Tears? She was taking this all wrong. His fingers tightened on hers. “I want to marry you. A marriage shouldn’t be spent mostly apart. Forget I ever mentioned that idea.”
Her lips parted, and her eyes crinkled in a broader smile. “I think that’s the most prosaic proposal I’ve ever heard of. What, no bended knee, no declaration of everlasting love?”
He grinned and took her by the shoulders, then turned her to face him. “I love you now and forever. I think you already know that. I’m not good with flowery words. But I’ll always be by your side, Kate. You’ll never have to worry about being someone you aren’t. I love you just the way you are. I love the way you try to take care of people. I love the fierce loyalty you show to family. You’re smart, funny, and beautiful inside and out. But I mostly love the inside beauty you show. You’re tenacious and strong. The girls will be too.”
She blinked and several tears rolled down her cheeks. “I think you’re pretty darn good with flowery words. I love you more than I ever thought I could love someone. I love you enough to leave Maine and go with you wherever you want me to.”
He was so busy trying to figure out how to tell her he wanted her to think about going to Boston that it took a second for her words to register. The breath whooshed out of his lungs. “What? Boston? Are you sure?” Idiot. He shouldn’t be trying to talk her out of it.
“I’m positive. Claire says it’s time for me to fly, and I think she’s right. I might be a little awkward like the puffins when they try to take off, but I’ll keep at it until I’m airborne. I’m not saying you won’t come home sometimes to find me crying, but I’ll be all right. This is what we need to do for us and for the girls.” Her grin slanted up at him again. “I take it that’s a marriage proposal too?”
Still stunned, he blinked and nodded, then grabbed her and swung her around. The feel of her in his arms was as right as the ocean foaming on the rocks. He was never going to let her go. He set her down and pulled her into a kiss. Her soft lips under his were warm and pliant, giving and taking as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
He pulled away and looked down into her face. “Soon?”
“As soon as I can get a wedding dress and plans pulled together. Don’t think I’m going to a justice of the peace, mister.” She wagged her finger at him. “I want a wedding with all the trimmings. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but I want us to get married in the blueberry barrens where I grew up with my sister standing up for me.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. How long?”
“Late October? I want us to savor our engagement. I’ll have to find a place to live.”
“There’s a house for rent in my neighborhood. I’ll snag it for you.” His chest felt as though it might explode from the bubble of joy expanding in it. He gave a whoop and lifted her in his arms again.
The girls looked up, then came running to them. Jackson barked and ran in circles around them.
“What’s wrong, Uncle Drake?” Emma’s hazel eyes were round.
“Kate’s going to marry me. She’s going back with us to Boston.” Drake set her on the ground.
Phoebe slipped her hand into Kate’s and looked up at her. “Are you going to be our new mommy?”
Kate knelt beside the little girl and drew her into a hug. “I wouldn’t want to replace your real mommy, and we’ll make sure we always talk about her and go to see your grandparents. No one can really replace your mommy and daddy. But I love you very much, and I’m going to take care of you the very best way I can.” She held out her other hand for Emma, who leaped into her embrace and put her arms around Kate’s neck.
Drake dropped to his knees, too, and embraced the three of them. “I know it’s going to take us a while, but we’re going to be a family.” The best kind of family—one that was held together by love.
FORTY
Kate peeked out the window of her bedroom toward the backyard. The autumn winds had stripped the color from the trees, but they’d subsided into blue skies and unseasonably warm weather for late October. It was over sixty today. The blueberry barrens stretched to the east and west in a carpet of red and gold. Her gaze lingered on the arch Claire had decorated for the wedding. Sprigs of red blueberry leaves contrasted with the white gauzy material. Guests already milled about the lawn, and she caught a glimpse of the girls with their flower baskets.
She turned from the window as the door opened, and her sister came into the room. “It looks so beautiful. Thank you for doing it. Are you feeling okay?”
Claire wore a blue dress that skimmed her curves and flared out at her calves. She was glowing. “Just fine. I’m way too excited to have any morning sickness today. Everything is about to start. Are you ready?”
Kate pressed her hand against her stomach. “I think I’ve got morning sickness for you. My tummy is flipping like a fish on the shore.” Was she doing the right thing? She shot a glance over her shoulder at the red fields. Could she really leave this place where she’d grown up?