He cleared his throat. “Uh, can I see you for aminute?”
Rachel set the spatula down and wiped her hands on atowel. “Sure.”
As she followed him into the living room, her heart beat wildly. Something was seriouslywrong.
Brady paced back and forth in front of the couch. “Uh, pleasesitdown.”
She did. “Iseverythingokay?”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I just don’t know where tostart.”
Her heart dropped. “Look, ifyou’re—”
“Wait, let me get this out.” He stopped pacing and knelt down in front of her. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one for me. I made a bad decision when I abandoned you to join the Marines, and you made a bad decision when you didn’t tell me about our son. But that’s all in the past now. When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t imagine living my lifewithoutyou.”
As he shifted to kneel on one knee, her breath caught in herthroat.
He continued, “Last night, sitting out on the porch, I knew that I’d be a fool to ever let you go. I love you, Rachel. I’ve loved you since the day I met you, and I loved you every one of the days we spent apart. I never stopped loving you. I couldn’t. You’re my mate and we’re destined to betogether.”
She choked out a sob as he pulled a black velvet box from his backpocket.
He said, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you and with our son. I want us to be a family. So if you’ll have me, I’d love to have the honor of making you my wife. Will youmarryme?”
The tears of joy she’d been holding back spilled down her cheeks. “Yes. Oh, God. Yes. I love you so much. I’ve loved you forever and I want to spend the rest of my lifewithyou.”
As he slid the ring onto her finger, the huge diamond glittered in the light from the Christmas tree. She leaned forward into his embrace and they sealed their commitment to each other with a long, sensual kiss that she felt all the way tohertoes.
“Does this mean you’re going to be mydaddy?”
She turned to find Jimmy, June, and all of Brady’s brothers standing open-mouthed at the entrance to thelivingroom.
Brady released her and held his arms open for his son. “Yes. I’ll be your daddyforever.”
Jimmy ran forward and Brady locked him in a tight embrace. Rachel joined the two most important men in her life in their firstfamilyhug.
Over Jimmy’s shoulder, Rachel locked gazes with Brady. Tears of joy ran down her face. “Iloveyou.”
“I love you too.” Hekissedher.
Mack said, “I guess we’d better get ready for awedding.”
Brady laughed and helped her to her feet. “The sooner thebetter.”
Jimmy beamed. “This is the bestpresentever.”
* * *
Hourslater after the celebratory breakfast, Brady joined Mack on the porch. “You seem upset. Is it about thewedding?”
“No, not about the wedding, I’m really happyforyou.”
“Then what is it?” Bradyasked.
“With Sarah gone and the opening weekend of the bed and breakfast coming up, we’re in serious trouble. I can’t manage the ranch and take care of the bed and breakfast at thesametime.”
“Can you hiresomeone?”
“Where would I find someone on such shortnotice?”
