“I’m glad you’re both wearing sneakers. Ready?” Rick asked when he returned, looking between me and Morgan. She grabbed my hand and held on to it tightly.
“Blake, I’m not so sure about this.”
I stopped and turned her so we made eye contact. Cupping her face in my hands, I asked, “Do you trust that I would never put you in any danger?”
Her teeth dug into her lower lip, causing my dick to jump slightly in my pants.
“Of course I do.”
Hearing her say that made my chest warm with even more love for her, if that was possible.
“Do you believe me when I say I would walk through hell if it meant keeping you safe?”
“Yes,” she answered softly.
“You will enjoy this. I promise, baby.”
Reaching up on her toes, she kissed me on the lips. “I trust you.”
Hearing those three words meant more than anything. After everything she had learned about Mike over the last few months, I knew having her trust wasn’t something I would ever take for granted.
“Come on, let’s go explore.”
THE STEPS LEADING down to the cave entrance felt like they went on forever. My hands were sweating I was so nervous. At the entrance, Rick turned to face us.
“Ready?”
I nodded. Blake placed his hand on my back and I instantly felt more at ease.
“It’s narrow as we walk down into the cave, but then it will open again.” Blake said.
“Okay.”
Goodness, why in the world is my voice shaking?
As we walked deeper into the cave, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.
Rick’s voice pulled my gaze from the walls of the cave.
“Longhorn Cavern is a rare form of cavern. You’ll notice there aren’t a lot stalactites.” He paused and looked at me. “I guess you’ve never seen a stalactite before.”
I shook my head, and that was all it took. Soon Rick was pointing out stalactites, a bat, hidden caves, a lipstick wall women used to kiss back in the 1920s when they were down here dancing and having parties.
“They had parties down here?” I asked, twirling around in a giant chamber.
“Yes. It was a speakeasy for several years. They still have weddings and events down here. Over there is what’s left of the original wooden dance floor.”
“That is amazing. I bet it’s beautiful down here when they have it set up for a wedding,” I said, letting my gaze roam every inch of the cave. The sound of trickling water was so peaceful. Everywhere I looked I saw something even more breathtaking than the last place I looked. “It’s breathtaking,” I whispered. “Utterly stunning.”
Blake took my hand in his. “I told you.”
“I’ve been missing out.”
He grinned. “Ready to go explore a wild cave? Maybe an underwater one?”
I scrunched my nose. “Underwater cave? Have you done that?”
He nodded, and I felt my stomach drop. I would never tell him to stop doing things he loved, but the thought of something happening to him made me feel nauseous and for a moment, and the idea of losing him made me dizzy.
“Hey, you okay?”
I nodded.
“Then why did your face go pale?”
“It’s silly. Never mind. Let’s enjoy our time down here. I’m in awe with this place.”
I started to walk toward Rick, but Blake held me back. His eyes met mine, and my entire body tingled. The way this man looked at me was like nothing I had ever experienced before. He could communicate so much to me with one simple look.
“Talk to me, Morgan.”
Swallowing hard, I averted my eyes. “It scared me for a minute, thinking about you doing something dangerous. Something that might take you away from me.”
Blake’s strong hands cupped my face. He lifted my chin so our gazes meet.
“I wish I could promise you that nothing will ever happen to me, but life doesn’t work that way. I can promise you I will never knowingly put myself in a dangerous situation.”
“There is no way I would ever ask you to stop doing the things you love to do. Never.”
He smiled and my stomach fluttered. I wanted him to take me back home this instant and make love to me.
“I know you wouldn’t, and I love you even more because you said that. My life is different now. I have different priorities. Making you my wife someday, having kids, designing and building your dream home. Those are the things I want in my life. Okay, and maybe talking you into exploring one wild cave before you’re too pregnant to do it.”
It felt as if the entire cave was moving under my feet. This was the second time Blake had mentioned marriage and kids. Tears pricked at the back of my eyes—tears of pure happiness.
“I can’t believe you think about those things.”
Kissing my forehead, he softly replied, “Every single day.”
“Oh Blake, I love you.”
He drew me into his arms and held me.
“Come on, you two lovebirds. There’s another tour that is about to catch up with us.”
The rest of the cave tour was fascinating. Rick was the perfect guide, and I loved hearing him and Blake talk about other caves they had explored. As we climbed the stairs back above ground, I missed the peacefulness of the cave. I had snapped a few photos on my phone, and I couldn’t wait to get back and put it onto a canvas.
“Did you enjoy the cave, Morgan?” Rick asked.
“I did. I have no idea why I’ve been so afraid all these years.”
“The unknown, probably. You’re not the first to be worried. I’ve had people ask me what happens if we have a flash flood or an earthquake or any of that kind of thing when we’re in the cave.”
“Um, I hadn’t thought of those until you mentioned them.”
Blake and Rick laughed.
“Great, Rick. I’ll never get her back down in a cave now.”
“Nonsense. I’m thinking that main chamber room would make a beautiful backdrop for a painting session.”
Blake tilted his head and gave me an inquisitive look. “You mean like with a patient?”
“Well, I hadn’t thought of that. I was thinking more just for me and a few friends who like to paint, but that might work. As long as they didn’t have any issues with being confined.”
I turned to Rick. “I’m an art therapist. My practice is geared toward veterans, and I specialize in post-traumatic stress syndrome.”
“Really? What exactly is art therapy?” Rick asked.
“Not everyone wants to sit in a chair and tell someone their problems, so we use art to help them open up. It’s mostly painting, but I have patients who like to work with clay too. It might take them five or six sessions before they are ready to talk, and then they do a lot of expressing through their art. You wouldn’t believe what I can get from someone by seeing something they drew.”
“Morgan, I think this is a great idea. I have a small group of caving guys who like to come once a month—all veterans. I know for a fact one or two of them are dealing with issues on their own. One thing about my job is I have to read people. I see how certain things cause them to react. A loud noise if a rock happens to fall. A tight area where we have to crawl. Sometimes I think they do it to prove to themselves they really aren’t afraid. What would you think about offering a session here?”
“Here?” I asked, unsure if he meant down in the cave or somewhere up here in the park.
“Yes. Maybe once a month.”
“Down in the caves?”
“Sure, and maybe up here too. In the spring and fall it’s perfect weather, and look at this backdrop!”
He spread his arms wide and did a circle. I followed his gaze.
“You know, that’s a great idea. I try my best to keep my office not feeling like a typical therapist’s office, and doing something like this might make for a great experience.”
I faced Blake. He was grinning from ear to ear.
“
What do you think? Do you think anyone would be interested in it?”
“It’s a great idea,” Blake answered.
Turning back to Rick, I held out my hand. “Rick, if you can get a program like that approved, count me in.”
The entire drive back to my house, I talked nonstop about Rick’s idea. Blake listened patiently and interjected when I gave him a chance to speak. I loved being able to take something so close to Blake’s heart and make it mesh with what I did.
Once we walked into my house, Blake had me pushed against the door, his mouth over mine.
“I want you,” he whispered between kisses.
My insides shook. “Then take me.”
We spent the rest of the day and night in bed. Only getting up once around ten to give our bodies food. I never once thought of Mike or Jarod or the lies I had thought were truths.
CHARLIE, TERRI, AND I stood back and looked at Kaelynn. She was dressed in a beautiful white gown that showed off her adorable little baby bump.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married!” I said, jumping and clapping my hands.
“Neither can I!”
“So, do you have a present for Nash for your wedding night?” Terri asked as she adjusted Kaelynn’s veil.
“I do,” she replied.
“Well, what is it? Don’t make us try to guess. That is just so mean,” Charlie said, rocking a sleeping Charlotte in her arms.
“I can’t say what it is. I need to tell Nash first.”
Gasping, I grabbed her hands. “You know the sex of the baby!”
Terri and Charlie looked at me and then back to Kaelynn.
She laughed. “I told y’all, we aren’t going to tell anyone until the baby is born.”
“No one does that anymore, Kaelynn. You’re killing us with the whole ‘I don’t want to find out’ thing.”
Kaelynn shrugged. “It’s what Nash and I want. I’m sorry if that doesn’t make you guys happy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I want to know what you’re going to give him tonight.”
She blushed.
“Oh hell, it’s something sexual,” Charlie said.
“Never mind, I no longer want to know what it is,” I said, holding up both hands and taking a few steps away.
Everyone in the room laughed before a knock on the door had us all turning to look at it. When it opened, I smiled at the sight of my mother and father.
“We wanted to come in first before your folks did, Kaelynn. My goodness, look at how beautiful you are,” my mother said as she kissed Kaelynn on the cheeks.
Kaelynn turned to Charlie, Lynn, and me and asked if she could have a few minutes alone with my folks.
“Do not make her cry. We’ll have to do her makeup all over again,” I said, giving my mother a warning look.
My parents only spent a few minutes with Kaelynn before her mother went in and then her father. By then, Charlie had given Charlotte to the nanny while we all lined up to get ready to walk down the aisle.
Nash and Kaelynn had picked a small wedding venue out in Johnson City that overlooked the Texas Hill Country. The Lighthouse Hill Ranch had multiple places to stay on their ranch, two of them tall towers that looked out over the stunning countryside. It was planned that when it was time for Kaelynn and Nash to kiss, the sun would set in the background, offering a stunning backdrop to the beginning of their married life.
After the wedding, the party moved inside, where we ate, laughed, cried, and danced. Even baby Charlotte had the time of her life.
“It’s time for the bouquet toss!” Charlie announced while Terri gathered up all the single women. When she reached for my hand and pulled me up to the front, I couldn’t help but laugh. Somehow I figured Kaelynn would attempt to throw it to me on purpose. I wasn’t about to lie to myself and say I wouldn’t do my best to catch the damn thing.
“Ready?” Kaelynn asked, a huge smile on her face and her hand resting on her belly. My heart felt overjoyed as I watched my best friend with my brother standing next to her. I was so happy to see them filled with so much love and joy.
“One! Two! Three!”
The bouquet seemed to come right my way, but instead, it sailed right over my head. I turned to see who had caught it, only to find Blake behind me with no one else around. He was down on one knee with his hand extended, holding a blue velvet box with the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen. My hands went to my mouth, and I cried.
“Morgan Marie Barrett, would you do me the honor of saying yes to becoming my wife?”
My hands dropped to the side, and I reached down, cupping his face with my hands.
“Yes! Nothing would make me happier!”
Blake stood and wrapped me in his arms, lifting me off the floor while he kissed me. The room erupted into cheers all around us.
When he drew his mouth away, I shook my head.
“You little sneak. I had no idea!”
He smiled so big and bright my heart nearly burst from pure happiness.
“That was the plan, princess.”
“I love you so much,” I said softly, resting my forehead against his.
He held me tighter. “I love you more.”
Blake gently set me down and took my hand. He slipped the beautiful oval diamond onto my finger, and I stared down at it. It was set in a white gold band with smaller diamonds running on each side.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
We were soon engulfed with family and friends hugging and congratulating us. Nash and Kaelynn were last. When my best friend smiled and wrapped her arms around me in a hug, I started to cry.
“You knew?”
She let out a sob of her own. “I did. Blake asked us a week ago if it would be okay to propose to you at the wedding. I’m so happy for you two! You deserve this, Morgan.”
Squeezing her tighter, I said, “So do you, Kaelynn.”
When we stepped apart, we both dabbed our tears away. Then she looked at me with a serious face and asked in a low voice, “You’re not pregnant, are you?”
“What?” I nearly choked out. “No!”
“Not that it would be a bad thing. I mean, I’m over the moon. It’s just, sometimes I really wish Nash and I had been able to have a bit more time together, just us. I don’t regret anything for a single moment, though. I’m so happy.”
“I know you are,” I said, kissing her on the cheek. “Are you excited about the honeymoon? I mean, Paris! So romantic.”
She blushed and looked past me. Someone or something must have caught her eye.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, turning to glance over my shoulder.
“Nothing. I thought I saw someone I didn’t know. They must have been in the wrong location.”
I didn’t see anyone out of place. “Maybe. So come on, tell me what you got Nash for a wedding gift.”
She chuckled. “Why is it so important for you guys to know what I got him?”
With a small shrug, I replied, “I made a bet with Terri and Charlie I could get you to tell me. I’ve got fifty bucks riding on it.”
Snarling, Kaelynn shook her head before turning and walking away.
“Seriously? You’d let your best friend down like that?”
“What’s going on?” Blake asked.
“Nothing. I was trying to get Kaelynn to tell me what she got Nash for a wedding gift.”
“You don’t know?” he asked, looking a bit shocked.
“No! She didn’t tell me.”
Then he looked away.
“Oh my gosh. You know! Blake Greene! You know!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I’ll do anything you want me to do in the bedroom tonight if you tell me.”
His brow rose. “Anything?”
Leaning in closer, I whispered in a seductive voice, “Anything.”
“It’s a whiskey flask.”
My mouth fell open. “That’s it? A whiskey flask?”
He
nodded. “Yep.”
I tilted my head and stared at him. “Wait a minute. You are the only person who knows the sex of the baby.”
“And you’re saying this because . . . ?”
Pointing to him, I gasped. “Oh my gosh! She knows the sex of the baby!”
Blake pulled me to him and covered my mouth with a kiss.
“Morgan, you’re going to ruin her surprise for Nash.”
“I’m the aunt! I should get to know.”
“Not before Nash and Kaelynn know. It means a lot to her.”
I drew back some. “She doesn’t know?”
“No. I had it engraved on the flask. Kaelynn hasn’t seen it. When I gave it to her it was wrapped already. It was my idea for her to give him that with the baby’s sex on it. That way they are both surprised on their wedding night, and it is something they can keep to themselves and tell when they want to tell.”
My body felt like I was walking on a cloud as I melted into him. “Lord help me, that was the sweetest thing I think you’ve ever said.”
Blake laughed. “You’re easy to please. I sort of figured it would have been my proposal that had you all hot and bothered.”
“Oh, trust me, I was already waiting to leave to have sex with you in your car. Now I don’t think I’ll make it to the car.”
A sexy smirk grew across his face. “I can do you one better. I bet we can find a closet.”
Rounding the corner, I made my way out of the ladies’ room, and I was headed back to the reception when someone stepped in front of me. I froze.
“Jarod?”
He looked upset.
“Don’t do this, Morgan.”
I swallowed hard. “Don’t do what? What are you doing here? How did you know I would be here?”
“It’s my job.”
My eyes widened in shock. “Your job? Are you doing security at the building?”
He let out a gruff laugh. “Damn, you always were so naïve, Morgan. My job is to look out for you. To take care of you. I knew the first moment I laid my eyes on you that was what I needed to do.”
I stood up tall and lifted my chin. “I don’t need anyone taking care of me, and if I do need someone, I have Blake.”
He shook his head and laughed, but it sounded more like an evil laugh. “Blake? You can’t be serious. I’ve been waiting all this time to make you mine, and all you had to do was be a little patient. You couldn’t wait for me.”
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