Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Dom
We walked around the empty house, Cherry chewing the inside of her cheek. I felt her worries and nerves kicking into overdrive as she opened cupboard doors, peering in and shutting them, only to open the same one again.
“Cherry,” I murmured. “Talk to me.”
“I love this house.”
“I know you do.”
We were viewing the same two-story place she had loved so much. It was our third visit. Since the day she’d been to the garage, our future together seemed to be moving ahead. Getting a house together was the next step, and I knew how much she loved this one. I wanted her to have it.
“But?” I prompted as she opened the cupboard again, looking inside at the empty shelves.
“Do we need all this space?”
“I think we can fill it. Especially if Josh comes for visits. You can bring the garden back to life. Josh can kick around a soccer ball, or maybe one day, we’ll add a pool.”
She turned and faced me fully. “And what if nothing happens and there is no Josh?”
I blew out a hard breath. “Then it’s me and you, Cherry. We can make this place ours. You’ll make it our home. Josh is the cherry, but you’re the whole cake and the icing. You love this place. I can afford it.”
“I’ll be part of the purchase. I want to share in this,” she insisted.
“Fine. We’ll go to the bank and do all the paperwork and buy it together. It will be ours. But you have to say yes to that…” I paused. I’d had no plans on doing this today. Here. Now. But the timing was perfect. “And you have to say yes to this.” I pulled a ring from my pocket, holding it up. Cherry’s eyes widened as I took her left hand in mine and slid it on, being careful not to hurt her arm. “Marry me, Cherry.”
“Marry you?” she repeated.
“Yes. Hannah gave me her blessing. I want you to marry me and move in to this house with me. We’ll build a life together. With each other.”
“It’s so fast.”
I laughed. “Once you were in my heart, Cherry, it was full throttle. I know what I want, so why wait?”
She looked at her hand, flexing her fingers gingerly. The oval emerald flanked by two smaller diamonds twinkled in the light. She furrowed her brow.
“You can have it all, Cherry. Us. A home. A life here close to Hannah. Me,” I added. “We can have it all together. All you have to do is say yes.” I lifted her hand and kissed it. “You don’t have to be alone anymore. Neither do I. Please, Cherry, marry me.”
She looked up, tears glistening. “Yes.”
I captured her mouth, kissing her.
“Let’s make an offer.”
CHERRY
Dom’s hand around mine was akin to a vise grip wrapped around my fingers. I squeezed his hand, leaning close as we waited for Halton.
“I need that hand, Dom. It’s the only working one.”
Instantly, he relaxed his grip. “Sorry.”
I smiled at him. “It’s okay. I understand.”
He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. “I know you do.” He frowned, glaring at the door. “I wish you could come to this meeting.”
“I know,” I soothed. “But I can’t. Though, I’ll be waiting for you when it’s done.”
Halton walked through the door, his head up, shoulders back. He looked ready to fight. He stopped in front of us, shook Dom’s hand, and bent, kissing my cheek. “How are you?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
“The arm giving you trouble?”
“I get an air cast tomorrow.”
“Good news. I understand congratulations are in order as well.”
I smiled, feeling the color creep under my skin.
Halton chuckled. “You crazy kids. I love it. A house. Engaged. Moving ahead. Perfect. It bodes well for this meeting.”
“How?” Dom asked, his voice tight.
“You’re settled. Getting married. Buying property. I have glowing character references from your employers, current and past. Excellent credit history. Personal references. All of this shows a stable, eager father. Judges, especially this judge, love that.”
“But Cherry can’t come in with me?”
“No. Roxanne can’t bring in anyone but counsel either. Why don’t you take Cherry to the coffee shop and get her settled, and I’ll meet you up on three, okay?”
Dom huffed, and I met Halton’s eyes. They were filled with understanding and determination. He lifted an eyebrow in encouragement.
“I’ll be fine. I have my Kindle, and I would love a coffee. I’ll be waiting.”
Halton nodded. “Great.”
Dom carried a tray, guiding me to the back of the crowded shop. A couple agreed to let me share their table, and he slid the tray down, helping me off with my coat. He dug out my Kindle and phone, fussing with the lid on the coffee and the package of cookies he’d insisted I needed.
I covered his hand. “I’m fine. Go upstairs and fight for your son. I’ll be right here.”