A Secret to Forgive
Page 17
The glimpse into his childhood that he’d revealed at the gala had also given her a clearer picture of the man he’d become. To push down the guilt and memories, he’d lived his life at top speed, with no cares or consequences. Would he continue that lifestyle after his counseling sessions? She really hoped not.
Charlie let out a loud meow, and Karen opened her eyes. “What’s going on, buddy?” Karen stroked his head, but he meowed again, louder this time. A deck board squeaked, and Karen turned in her seat, causing Charlie to jump down and run into the yard.
Anna stood, and Jace zipped around the corner with Nikolas in his arms.
Leo was standing a few feet away looking pale and a bit disheveled, with a day’s worth of beard growth on his face and dark circles under his eyes.
“Hello.” His deep voice raised goose bumps on Karen’s arms, and she shivered.
She stood, and the blanket fell to the ground. “Hi.”
Leo pointed his thumb at the house. “I…um…the front door was open.”
“No problem.”
Nikolas started to fuss, and Anna went to him. Jace took her hand. “We should go.”
Anna nodded. “Karen, we’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay.” She watched them walk around the side of the house, where a gate led to the front yard.
Karen turned back. “That was my best friend, Anna, her husband, Jace, and their new baby, Nikolas.”
“They are a beautiful family.”
“Yes, they are.”
They stared at each other for a long moment then Leo moved closer. “How have you been?”
“Busy.” She wanted to say “miserable.” “You?”
“Busy. I’ve done a month’s worth of counseling sessions.”
“Good.”
“We’re nowhere near done,” he blurted out.
“I know.” Karen smiled at his nervousness.
“But I did work through the most important issue in my life right now.”
Karen’s breath caught then turned shallow. “Which is?”
Leo moved even closer so their hips were touching and their lips were only an inch apart. “You.”
Karen exhaled her pent-up breath. “Me?”
“My counselor told me I need to be happy with my life right now in order to fix the past.”
“Sound advice.”
“He asked what my heart’s desire is.”
“And?” Karen’s body burned pleasantly from the closeness of his. She wanted to embrace him; to kiss his lips until neither of them could breathe.
“I bought the B&B.”
Karen’s eyes widened in surprise as her stomach churned, but she forced a smile on her face. “I knew you would.”
“And I want to construct a new addition in the back, facing the vineyard, where my wife can spend her days creating her own clothing line that will knock the New York fashion world off its feet.”
“You…your…wife?”
Leo bent down on one knee and took her hand. “Karen, will you marry me?”
Karen froze. She couldn’t think or make her lips move. Leo stood and took her other hand. He didn’t appear fazed at all by her lack of response.
“I love you. I always have. You ground me in the chaotic world I created for myself, which I want no part in now.”
A single tear escaped and ran down her cheek. Leo wiped it away with such gentleness that another tear followed.
“By tackling your fears and demons, you showed me how to persevere through my own issues, and I would have no one else by my side as I continue that journey.”
Karen let out a small sob and covered her mouth with her hands. Tears streaked down her cheeks in full force now.
“So, Ms. Allen, will you marry me, have my children, run a B&B and winery with me, and design clothes to your heart’s content?”
Karen nodded and then pulled Leo closer. She kissed him with such passion that they were both panting when the kiss ended.
“Is that a yes?” Leo asked. His eyes held a trace of doubt.
“Oh, yes,” Karen whispered, and she kissed Leo again. “Looks like I’ve tamed the lion.”
“That you did.” Leo laughed. “Thank goodness.”
Karen ran her hand down his stubbled cheek, her gaze intent on his. “I love you…so much. I didn’t think I’d see you again when I walked away in New York. But I knew you needed time to start your healing process with your family, and if that meant not being with you…”
“We’re together now,” Leo said, and he kissed her lips lightly. “And this isn’t a one-way street. I’m here for you now, if you need me to be. Always.”
His words meant more to Karen than she’d ever thought possible.
“I need you,” Karen whispered. Charlie came back on the deck and rubbed against Leo’s legs. “Well, you’ve got Charlie’s seal of approval. Welcome to the family.”
Leo bent over to pet Charlie’s head and then took Karen’s hand. “I told Robert he’d be the first to know your answer.”
“Robert’s here?”
“Of course. Waiting in the town car I rented.”
“He’s been an amazing rock of support for you, hasn’t he?”
“The best. He’s more like a father figure to me, and I really don’t know where I’d be without him.”
The two of them really did have a great support system of family and friends, Karen realized. She couldn’t wait to start the next adventure in their lives. It was going to be a doozy.
Leo smiled. “It’ll definitely be that.”
THE END
About the Author
Tricia Saxby is a contemporary romance author. She enjoys writing witty and independent heroines who find love with sexy heroes who can take their sass and give it right back. Tricia works as an medical office assistant, but in her spare time she enjoys baking, watching HGTV, camping, and playing with her fuzzy kids Gimli and Oreo. With the mountains of Kamloops, British Columbia right in her backyard, Tricia goes hiking with her husband and two sons; the beauty of “BC’s desert” is a sight to behold.
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