Chapter Sixteen
“So, what do you girls think?” Rosie had waited until Mami, Birdie, Lila, and Doreen were all seated at their table by the window before she carried their coffee and muffins over. It was Tuesday morning and she had something wonderful to show them. She held out her left hand with its princess cut solitaire sparkling on her ring finger.
“That—that is an engagement ring,” Lila exclaimed, shoving her glasses higher on her nose to get a better look.
“Oh my, that good-looking rascal proposed,” Mami declared. “I knew it the moment he took you in his arms at that wedding that he was a goner. And a smart fella.”
“I never doubted him for a minute,” Birdie huffed. “He knew a good thing when he saw it.”
“It’s so romantic.” Doreen teared up, looking at the ring, then up at Rosie. “You two make a perfect couple. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Thank you all. I am so happy. He’s the most wonderful man and I can’t wait to start my life with him.” Rosie still could not believe how her life had changed over the weekend. Over the last few weeks. How had it happened? It was still almost a mystery to her that the blessing of love rained down on her like it had. She had been longing for forever for, well, forever, and now she was going to marry the man of her dreams.
“So, how did he do it?” Lila beamed at Rosie. “And how does he kiss? I bet he knows how.” Lila’s mouth dropped open in a gaping smile and she hitched her brows up, making a very hilarious look.
Rosie chuckled. “You’re right about that, Lila—he can kiss. Very well. You would approve.”
“Me too,” Mami said. “I thought he could from the first moment he strode in here looking all manly and strong. He had me at hello.” She hooted with laughter.
“Me too,” Doreen said, her smile enhanced by the rose of her cheeks.
“He had me when I saw him working without his shirt on,” Birdie said. “But it was Rosie we wanted to see the light. Did he drop to his knee or did he sweep you off your feet? Don’t dawdle—give us the details.”
Rosie laughed at the sweet ladies. “Actually, Birdie, he did both. He swept me off my feet the moment I met him and then Saturday after the wedding, completely a surprise, he kissed me and then knelt and asked me to marry him.”
“Oh, just like a romance movie.” Doreen had cupped her hands together. “It’s just so sweet.”
“Yes, it is. When’s the wedding?” Birdie asked. The others leaned forward in anticipation.
“We haven’t set the date yet. I’m not sure yet. We’re surprising his family tonight with the news. I’m hoping you ladies can keep this a secret at least until six when I’ll be with Adam at his mother and dad’s home, telling everyone.”
“We can keep the secret until six,” Mami said, her eyes twinkling. “But not a moment longer.”
“That’s right,” Lila said. “When the clock strikes six, we are going to crow like roosters crowing at the sunrise.”
Rosie’s heart warmed and she shook her head. “You ladies are a mess. Give me till six o’clock and then you can shout it from the rooftops.”
“Don’t think we won’t,” Birdie huffed.
She chuckled and held her ring out so she could see it sparkle in the overhead light. “Oh, I’m fairly certain you might. You do whatever makes you happy. Because I know I plan to.”
And that was the truth.
Adam led Rosie into his parents’ home. They were intentionally running late because he hadn’t wanted to get there before everyone else arrived, wanting to let them all in on their surprise at the same time. Tate wasn’t going to be there because he’d already left for his assignment, so Adam had called and told him the news. Tate had been thrilled for him and taken credit for the match because he had sent Adam to the muffin shop. Adam didn’t bother reminding him that Rosie was his neighbor and they’d already met before he went to the Bake My Day bakery—and it had literally made his day and his life.
Rosie was nervous; he could feel her hand tremble in his as they walked into the kitchen to find the room full of his family. His parents, Erin, Brad, and Jonah had made it on time and Cassie was back in town and here too.
All the people he loved in one room. Except Tate, but he was here in spirit.
His mother’s eyes widened and she instantly stepped forward. “And you must be Rosie,” she said, coming to them.
“Yes, ma’am, I am.”
“I have been dying to meet you. It took all my willpower not to come to the bakery and spy on you the moment I heard Adam was interested. But I was afraid if I met you I’d want to meddle and I might ruin a good thing. It is wonderful to have you here. I’m Maryetta and this is my husband Leo, Adam’s father.”
“It’s so nice to meet you both.” Rosie shined a bright smile at them.
He saw speculation and anticipation in both of his parents’ expressions.
Brad winked at her. “My men love Rosie’s muffins. She’s dropped some by the firehouse and now my men think they need to be part of the budget. They’re delicious. They almost fought over the ones I got the day of the festival.”
“I’m glad,” Rosie said.
“I think your bakery is the new hot spot in town,” Erin broke in, coming close to give Rosie a hug. “It’s amazingly great to have you here. With Adam,” she said, her eyes sparkling as they welcomed Rosie. Then she spoke to the family, turning slightly and taking them all in with her gaze. “Rosie’s muffins are a huge hit with my guests. I’ve put an order in with her ever since I opened for guests last month and they are devoured. The residents of Sunset Bay know a good thing when they see it. Obviously, our brother does too.” She elbowed Brad. “This one missed the boat.”
Brad winked. “Not meant to be.”
“Sounds like I’m missing out. I’m Cassie, and I’ve been so busy these last few months that I’ve barely had time to do anything other than work. But I’ll make it a priority to get by and have a cup of coffee and a muffin. I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me, too. I’m Jonah. Adam will have to bring you down to the boat dock and take you out on the water.”
“Jonah owns Jonah’s Boat Rental & Storage,” Adam said.
“Oh, the one with the logo of the whale spitting the cute caricature out of his mouth. I think that’s a really cute logo.” Rosie beamed.
His brother laughed. “Yep, that’s me. My name and my business were too much of a coincidence for me to pass up on the logo.”
“It’s very catchy.”
“Bake My Day is, too. I’d have come by but I’m not much of a sweets eater. But I do drink coffee so I’ll have to stop in.”
Erin elbowed him. “He’s actually afraid to come in. He’s afraid he’ll be tempted by all those delicious treats and start eating them and be unable to stop. Might mess up his washboard abs.”
Jonah shook his head in patient denial, scratched the back of his neck and looked embarrassed. “Not exactly true.”
Cassie grinned and joined Erin in teasing their quieter brother. “Maybe the part about you eating all the muffins. But the abs are definitely true.” She looked at Rosie. “All my brothers have been blessed with lean, muscled bods while I have to fight with every calorie I even look at to keep these curves at least a little under control.” She waved a hand down her fuller figure. “It’s just not fair.
“Tell me about it,” Erin said, patting her own flat stomach. “I have to jog every day I can find a spare moment.”
“Hey, we exercise too.” Brad looked insulted.
“But you can eat anything you want with no worries.” Erin didn’t let him off the hook.
Everyone laughed because it was true. Brad ate anything and everything he wanted, but his lifestyle was active. It took a lot of fuel to energize his big frame. Adam and Jonah were built slimmer than Brad and Tate but they had all inherited a lean frame from their dad. Erin had the body of a runner while Cassie had always had a curvier figure that Adam knew had never bother
ed his friends. In high school he’d had to warn many a boy that if he got out of line with either of his sisters they’d have all four of the Sinclair brothers to deal with. The girls hadn’t been happy with them for their interference.
“I think you look lovely,” Rosie said, sweetly. “But if you’re serious I have options. I have muffins and pastries that fit in with all types of eating needs. I can’t stand the idea of someone coming in and seeing my pretty lovelies and not being able to have one.”
“I think that’s wonderful and thoughtful,” his mother said, looking happily on as Rosie got to know his family.
Adam felt pride and love tangle in his chest watching Rosie with everyone. He put his arm around her and tugged her close to his side, contentment filling him. He knew this was right. “Everyone, we have something to share.”
His mother’s eyes crinkled at the edges and she looked at him with a mixture of hope and disbelief. He smiled, and gave a short laugh of joy. Yes, joy. He’d felt that joy from the moment he’d met Rosie, but since she’d said yes to marrying him, it was overflowing. And now, soon, his mother would have her wish.
“I’ve asked Rosie to marry me and she accepted.”
The room erupted in exclamations of congratulations. His mother’s mouth dropped open momentarily, as if too stunned to believe it.
“I am so happy,” she said after a second and threw her arms around him and Rosie. “Welcome to our family, Rosie.” She pulled back and cupped Rosie’s cheeks. “I’ve been waiting on you for a very long time.”
Rosie’s smile was infectious as she looked at his mom and took in her words. “Perfect, because I am so glad to be here. I love your son so very much.”
“That is music to this mother’s ears.”
“And this father’s. I’m really happy, too. I could tell Adam had something on his mind last week and now I know what it was. It was you. Congratulations.”
“We have a lot to talk about,” Maryetta said, delight emanating from her. “We have a wedding to plan. Our first wedding. Oh my goodness I can hardly believe it. Do you have a ring?”
“I do.” Rosie had turned the engagement ring so that the stone was hidden on the palm side of her hand, and now she twisted it so that it shone proudly for all to see. Instantly the women in his family went into dreamy mode, oohing and cooing over the ring while his brothers and his dad clapped him on his back.
Brad leaned in and whispered, “Thanks, man, for taking the pressure off the rest of us. We owe you big time for this.”
Adam looked toward Rosie. “You don’t owe me anything. I’m taking this one for the team because it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. And I want to.”
He met Brad’s gaze, realizing there was a distance there, a shadow, and he worried then that maybe his brother was feeling more than he was showing. Was his own past of rejection and betrayal bringing that look there? Brad quickly covered it with a ready smile.
“I’m glad. You deserve it.”
And you don’t? The question tugged at Adam. Did Brad think he didn’t deserve happiness like this? Adam looked back at Rosie, knowing how that had felt, knowing he hadn’t felt deserving of it after all that had happened in his life over the last months. And he knew with all his heart and soul that Rosie was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
As if she heard his thoughts, Rosie turned to look at him. Their gazes locked and he saw his future. She smiled, her special smile meant for him alone and he knew he was the luckiest man alive.
He reached for her and she came willingly, and then with all of his family watching he kissed her with all the tenderness welling up inside of him. “How did I ever live without your love? I love you, Rosie.”
“I’m so glad you found me. I’ve been longing for you forever.”
Joy and love shone in her eyes, filling him up and making him whole. “And I feel the same.”
And it was true, everything he’d ever longed for was right here, wrapped up in Rosie’s love.
Forever.
Epilogue
Brad got into his Jeep after leaving the family dinner. He gripped the steering wheel and told his heart to stop racing. He’d felt the love overflowing between Adam and Rosie and an ache he’d thought he’d finally overcome welled up inside of him. He sat there for a moment, trying to gather his wits. Struggling with the emotions assaulting him.
Putting the Jeep in reverse, he checked the rearview, then punched the gas and backed out of the driveway feeling as if his world was spinning out of control. He had to shake this. He had to get past this crazy storm of emotions that held him tangled in its vortex ever since Katie had walked out on him.
He rammed the gearshift into drive and drove away, leaving his parents’ home behind. Adam and Rosie didn’t deserve his sorry attitude bringing down their happy moment. Not that they knew he felt this way. He was really, really good at hiding the storm inside of him.
He drove straight through town, passing the firehouse and the dog park, spotting a flash of red hair. His thoughts instantly went back to Katie, with her pretty mass of auburn hair and tall, sleek, athletic body that had enabled her and him to enjoy all the outdoor hikes and climbs and activity that had always connected them in so many ways.
Two years had passed since she’d taken the dreams he’d planned for them most of his life and ripped his heart out by suddenly marrying someone else. He’d been completely and totally blindsided. Wiped out.
It had been a fast fall to hell for him and tonight he’d learned with shocking clarity that he hadn’t made it out yet. Not even close.
After she’d left he’d been a mess, then he’d thrown himself into dating every female who showed interest. He’d joked, teased, and lived it up. None of the dates had lasted but that hadn’t stopped him from continuing his merry-go-round dating. Staying home alone was just not an option.
And then he’d gotten the Fire Chief job and that had helped him cope and discontinue some of his reckless behavior. His job kept him busy and required him to be more responsible. He’d dated less, which was still a lot, while secretly he hoped that somewhere out there someone would wipe the memory of Katie from his heart.
Not that he planned to ever fall in love again because much to his mother’s sorrow, though she didn’t know it yet, he didn’t have plans to ever give anyone enough leverage on his heart to hurt him like that again.
He needed time alone, to get his head clear and to face down the jealousy that he’d felt at Adam’s happiness. He was glad for Adam, just envious that his own fairytale hadn’t come true.
He glanced in his rearview, searching for the flash of red hair somewhere behind him, then he yanked his gaze back to the road and continued heading out of town. He’d always loved red hair and could still remember the feel of Katie’s hair as he’d run his fingers through that thick mane. He’d thought he would be ruined on the color, but no, he found himself continually drawn to that vibrant color. Maybe it was because he was a fireman and he was trained to run toward the fire. To run into the flames. But he’d been burned, and despite the fact that he found himself many times dating other redheads, he had no plans to ever get burned again.
Reaching the dirt road that led down to the secluded beach, he eased on the brake and then took the turn faster than he should have as his wheels hit the off-road track. Might as well put the off-road Jeep to the test.
A few minutes later he drove from the road onto the sand and pulled to a halt at the dunes just as his phone buzzed. Being the fire chief and first responder, he automatically accepted the call. “Sinclair,” he said.
“Brad, are you okay?”
He inhaled hard at the sound of Adam’s voice. “Sure am. What’s up, soon-to-be newlywed?” he asked, forcing his voice to hold the natural good-natured teasing that had been one of his saving graces through all of this. Even down and out he generally enjoyed life.
“I happened to follow you outside. I had a question for you, but you we
re already driving away and you looked upset.”
He normally kept his pain carefully locked behind his smile. He’d barely gotten out of the house tonight. The wedding announcement had been a surprise. The undying love radiating between Adam and Rosie had been like a gut punch to him.
“I’m fine. I’m really happy for you two.”
“Thanks, but, are you sure you’re okay? I got to thinking that this might have brought back bad memories.”
Adam hadn’t been here during the time when Katie had left him, but he and Adam had always been close and he’d broken down and called Adam one night when he’d been going through a particularly hard time. “I’m fine. Well, maybe not as good as I want to pretend. Seeing you and Rosie so happy brings back how I once felt. Kind of opened up a wound. But I’ll get over it. I’m really happy for you.” He meant it, really. He meant it with all of his own doomed heart.
“Thanks, that means a lot to me.”
“What did you want to ask me?”
“I wanted to ask you if you’d be my best man? Tate and Jonah are going to be groomsmen, but I’d be honored if you would be best man.”
His stomach lurched and he closed his eyes as conflicting emotions collided. He didn’t want this. Wasn’t sure how he’d feel standing up there. “I’d be honored.” The words came out stiff. “If you’re sure you want me.”
“I do.”
His mouth was dry as he nodded, then realized he needed to say something. “Then I’ll be there for you. Anything you need, I’m there for you.”
“That means a lot to me. And same here. I’ll let you go, thanks again.”
The line went dead and he dropped his phone into the seat and climbed from the Jeep. He jogged to the beach and stopped just short of where the waves could get his running shoes wet. He raked his hands through his hair and lifted his face to the evening light. He had to move on.
Longing for Forever (Sunset Bay Romance Book 1) Page 13