Page 78 of Hearts Don't Lie
Mac reached behind her, surprised to realize she was trembling. Her eyes adjusted as she blinked. The patio was aglow with dozens of votive candles in jelly jars. Numerous arrangements of a fiery mixture of orange roses, billy buttons, goldenrods, sunflowers, and thistle graced white tablecloths covering tables.Ah, that’s where the table got moved to.
Hardin laced his fingers with hers and dropped to one knee in front of her.
Mac felt as though she was going to faint and swallowed. Was this really happening? She felt and saw how he trembled.
Hardin took a deep, shaky breath. “McKenna Rose Vesley Eliot.” He another deep breath, swallowed, and smiled. He spoke slowly and clearly with purpose. “Mac. Twelve years ago, I asked you to not forget about me. About us and our love. I believed our love would carry us through separation and challenges. At that time, I had no idea what we would face, what that might mean. Neither did you,” he whispered, dropping his eyes and shaking his head, then gazing at her again. “But we said we would love each other forever. And I do. Love you. Forever. You are my heart. My home.” Hardin paused again, stilled his trembling fingers. “I want to spend the rest of forever with you. Our incredible son has given me his blessing. Will you marry me?”
The most joyful tears erupted from her heart, from Mac’s soul, and rained down her face, dripping off her chin and onto Hardin’s hands clasping hers. All she could manage was to nod and smile like a lovesick fool, because she was head over heels for this man.
“Mom! Answer Dad!” Stowe demanded, stepping forward from the shadows.
She swallowed her tears, and an enormous smile split her face. “Yes! Forever yes!”
Hardin stood and lifted Mac, swinging her around, kissing her unabashedly in front of their son and their family and friends, who appeared from the shadows and circled Stowe. He put her down and extracted something from the front pocket of his jeans—a small emerald-green velvet bag.
He opened the bag and inverted it. “I gave this to you once.” The thistle necklace dropped into his hand. “I’m not sure what you might want, honey. In lieu of a ring, I want to give you this again, with the understanding that you will have a ring and soon.”
“Something simple?”
“Whatever you want.”
Mac turned and lifted her hair, allowing him to clasp the necklace around her neck. She hadn’t worn it since she’d left Illinois, but she had kept it because it had been one of the most heartfelt gifts she’d ever received. Obviously Hardin had noticed that it hung over a framed photo of that which was most precious to them—Stowe, her holding him after his birth.
“To the sweetness after the challenges,” she said, turning her head to the side and pinning his eyes with hers before planting a long, passionate kiss on him.
“Ew!” Stowe complained while everyone else clapped, cheered, and cried. “That is so gross!”
Hardin pulled their son between Mac and him and grinned. “Sport, remember this moment as an I told you so. Someday you’re not going to find kissing gross.”
Stowe shook his head adamantly.
Mac’s smile was brilliant as her gaze swept over her family and friends, then Stowe and Hardin. “How?” She shook her head. “How?”
Hardin hugged their son into his shoulder. “Stowe was a huge help despite being laid low with his injuries.”
“Yeah, Mom. Dad and I divided and conquered, as only Team Ambrose can do. We devised a plan. I made the calls and Dad ran a bunch of errands while you were at your book club.”
“You two…” She ruffled Stowe’s hair and kissed Hardin again.
Doc cleared his throat. “If everyone would, please, I wish to begin the toasts. Adults, grab a glass of wine or champagne. Kids, help yourselves to the sparkling apple juice.” He waited until everyone had a glass of something. “To Kenna, the daughter of our heart. To Mac, the woman of Hardin’s heart. And to Hardin, the man who loves this wonderful woman as his equal, who never stopped looking for her. God bless you, son. God bless you both. May you be happy forever.”
He raised his glass and drank. The others lifted their glasses and sipped.
Issa stepped forward. “Kenna. You have graced our family with joy, love, and laughter. There isn’t a day I don’t thank Carol for calling me to help, for allowing us to be there for you, to bring you and Stowe into our family. We love you. We love our Stowe. Hardin, we eagerly look forward to loving you. Congratulations!”
Mac leaned into Hardin and sipped along with everyone else.
“Other than Hardin, I have known you the longest, my dear Kenna. Our meeting was by chance and brief, but oh, how it has unfolded.” Carol blinked her full eyes. “Your heart is pure, as is that of the man you are marrying. The two of you are the epitome of true love, and Stowe, you are the embodiment of that. I couldn’t be happier for you and I wish you the very, very best.” She raised her glass of champagne to Mac and Hardin and the others followed. “To forever.”
Wedding planning began as soon as the toasts were over. Kai, Emory, Cori, and Ronni sat Mac down as soon as they had helped Issa and Carol unwrap all the food. Hardin was surrounded by the men, including Arlo, who decided he’d be extending his stay. He had no intention of missing the wedding, and there was a woman whose company he was enjoying.
Stowe had yawned several times during the past half hour. He looked half-asleep on his feet.
Mac motioned to Hardin that the party needed to wind down. She was tired herself despite all the excitement.
“I’ll get him to bed, dear,” Carol said.
Issa stood and began directing everyone else. “It’s been a long, wonderful evening. People are tired and need to get to work tomorrow. Let’s help Hardin and Kenna get things put away so they have some alone time.”
