Erin shifted on the couch, sliding a bit closer to the end nearest him. “At least you’re aware of what does that for you. I really hadn’t thought too much about it for myself until everything fell apart that day.”
“So does that mean you aren’t here just to kick me to the curb?” James said it in a joking manner, but there was a part of him that was worried she wouldn’t want to have to continue to deal with his issues. And could he really blame her? There were probably better men than him at her church. Men who were more secure in themselves and their faith. Though James might have success in his chosen field with the financial trappings to show for it, he was pretty sure that when ranked against a man’s faith, it would come in a distant second for Erin.
Surprise was clear on her face. “No. Not at all.” She paused and frowned. “Unless that’s what you were hoping I’d do. You know, to spare you from having to end things with me yourself.”
James quickly shook his head. “Nothing could be further from my mind. What I’d really like is another chance.”
“I don’t want to make this about chances,” Erin said with a shake of her head. “I want to look at this as a rocky part of the road of our relationship, but I’d like to think we’ll learn from it. I know I have.”
Confidence had never really been a big problem for James in the past, but right then he felt like asking her if she was sure. But he kept his mouth shut because he really didn’t want to make her reconsider it. Instead, he said, “I have as well. This is my first time in a serious relationship which means I’m likely to make a few more mistakes, but honestly, I’m hoping it’s my last.”
“Mistake or relationship?” Erin asked.
James grinned. “Both?” When she smiled back, James felt something unknot within himself. “And now I owe you an apology.”
“Yes, you do. Or at least an explanation,” Erin said with a nod of her head. “Why didn’t you let me visit you after the accident?”
He sighed. “At first it was just because I was in so much pain and was afraid you wouldn’t like the grumpy me. He was a bit too much like the guy you first met. It made me question whether I’d really changed after all.”
“And after that?” she prompted.
While James might have at one time preferred a woman who wasn’t quite so persistent, he found that it was a quality he really admired in Erin. From day one she hadn’t let him get away with much, and he really needed someone like that in his life. And it seemed that Van, Nana, and even Kaylee agreed. He knew they’d be happy to hear that he’d reconnected with Erin, even if he hadn’t been smart enough to take the first step himself to make that happen.
“After that, it was pretty much just pride.”
“Pride? Really?” Erin shook her head.
James considered his next words, knowing that they weren’t going to reflect well on him. “My appearance is something that’s always been important to me. Whether it was for a date or a client or even a court appearance, it was important to me that I looked my best.” He waved a hand at the length of his body. “This is not my best. I can hardly even do my hair.”
Erin tilted her head as if considering his comment. “Well, I have to admit, the outfit is the most casual I’ve ever seen you in, but strangely enough, it doesn’t do anything to distract from your handsome…ness.”
“Handsome…ness?” James asked with a chuckle. He couldn’t believe that he had allowed circumstances and pain to rob him of the memory of how much he loved being around Erin. How good he felt when the two of them were together.
“Well, let’s just say that you don’t have to worry about dressing up for a visit from me. Seeing this side of you in no way diminishes my desire to spend time with you. So don’t do that again.” Erin hesitated. “Pride is not allowed between us.”
“I agree,” James said then he held out the hand of his uninjured arm, palm up. “So do you forgive me for not letting you come by sooner?”
Erin didn’t hesitate to put her hand into his and clasp it tight. Her body seemed to relax with the contact, and James realized that she hadn’t been quite as confident as he’d thought. “Yes, I do. Just don’t let it happen again.”
He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I know it’s only been a few weeks, Erin, but I hope you know that I am committed to you and to what we have between us.”
James wanted—needed—her to know this wasn’t him dabbling around with serious dating. She wasn’t a trial run or a stepping stone to something better. In his heart, even though it hadn’t been very long since they first met, he knew she was it for him.
Erin stood up then and came closer to his chair, getting down on her knees beside him. “I’m committed to you too, James.”
Looking down into her eyes, James knew that she was it for him. His first and last serious relationship was going to be with her. He released her hand and slid his behind her neck, drawing her closer to him. When they were close enough that he could see the green flecks in her blue eyes, he whispered, “I love you.”
Erin’s eyes widened briefly before a smile spread across her face, causing her eyes to sparkle once again. “Oh, James, I love you too.”
They both closed the last distance between them and their lips met in a gentle kiss full of hope and promise.
EPILOGUE
“You ready to go?”
Erin finished running the brush through her hair then glanced over to where Makayla McFadden stood near the door to their room. “Just about.”
Normally, Erin would have roomed with Noella, but for some reason, her sister had wanted to share a room with her husband. They’d been married just over six months and were still acting like the newlyweds they were.
Noella had indeed returned from her trip to Edinburgh with Finn over the New Year with an engagement ring. The wedding had been in Scotland during the summer, and they’d all flown on Finn’s family’s private jet to attend the happy event.
The romance-loving side of Erin had been a bit jealous…not of the jet, but of the fact that Noella had gotten married in a castle. A castle! James had traveled with them, and Erin had kind of hoped that even if she couldn’t get married in a castle, she could get engaged in one, but apparently that hadn’t been James’s plan.
Erin shrugged into her light blue wool fitted jacket and tightened the belt around her waist before slipping on her boots and following Makayla out of their room. She could hear laughter in another part of the chalet as she stepped into the hallway and smiled. Waiting somewhere down there was James, and she couldn’t wait to see him.
They had passed the one-year anniversary of their first meeting, and she couldn’t be happier…except for the lack of a proposal. She didn’t think James was reluctant to commit, they’d had plenty of conversations about the future, but apparently, he wasn’t ready to take that step just yet. Hopefully, they’d end up on the same page at some point in the new year.
“Evening, girls,” Grace sang out as she joined them in the hallway with Tami not far behind. The two women were friends with Makayla, but Erin had enjoyed spending time with all of them.
The large chalet in Colorado was one that Finn had arranged for them all to get together at after Christmas. She couldn’t wait to celebrate New Year’s Eve there with James since the last one they’d had together hadn’t gone so well.
The other girls headed down the stairs ahead of her, and Erin paused, her gaze searching the open area below for James. She spotted him standing near the fireplace talking with Bennett McFadden. The two of them had grown closer over the past year since Bennett had taken him under his wing at church and had helped disciple him since James had been so new in his faith.
The beginning of the year had been challenging with James having to contend with his injuries in addition to the changes to the law practice he shared with Van. It had made things stressful at times for them, but in the end, they had come through it stronger and more committed than ever to each other.
&nbs
p; As if sensing her gaze on him, James glanced up then smiled when he spotted her. Erin returned his smile before hurrying down the stairs to join him.
“Good evening, love,” James said as he bent to press a quick kiss to her lips. “Ready for some ice skating?”
“Yes, I most definitely am,” Erin said as she slid her arm around his waist and sighed with contentment as he drew close against his side. It was her favorite place to be.
He kept her close as they followed the others out of the building to the rink that was on the property. It wasn’t as big or elaborate as the one at the Callaghans but the location was just breathtaking. They’d skated on the rink the day before while it was still light so they could see the majestic mountains in the background. Now that it was night, however, lights had been hung around the rink and music played from a playlist someone had set up with their phone and a set of speakers.
James helped Erin put her skates on first, taking the time to tighten them to her liking before dealing with his own. Once his were on securely, he got to his feet and held out his hand for her. She took it and then stepped onto the ice with him.
Hand in hand, they skated around the rink with the others, laughing at Forrest’s antics as Christmas music once again filled the air. When Michael Bublé’s voice began to drift from the speakers, James switched to skate in front of Erin like he had the first time they’d skated together, linking their fingers as he guided them around the rink.
They were chatting off and on, but as the song began to draw to a close, Erin’s attention was drawn to the last line of the song which had been playing. All I Want for Christmas is You. Her eyes widened as James slowed them down, the last strains of the music floating away on the night air, and then he got down on one knee.
He let go of one of her hands, but Erin held tight to the other as he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. With one hand, he flicked open the lid and then held it up to her.
“Erin, you’ve changed my life in so many ways since the day we first met, and every single one of them has been for the better. Life is sweeter now—and it’s not just because of the baking you keep feeding me. Your love has brought a sweetness to my world that I didn’t even know I needed. I want to start off the new year knowing that we are committed to taking that final step to bind our lives together.” He smiled at her, and when Erin felt warmth on her cheeks, she realized she was crying. “Erin, my heart belongs to you. Will you marry me?”
“Oh, yes. Yes, I will.” Erin wanted to say more, but emotion clogged her vocal chords as she watched him tug off her glove and slide the ring onto her finger.
He got to his feet, pulling her close as he did. Erin slid a hand behind his neck to draw him down to her so she could kiss him. The rush of emotion she felt each time she kissed him was nothing new, but it seemed intensified with the emotion of the moment.
The sound of applause had her drawing back, and she grinned when she saw their friends gathered around them in a circle, some holding up phones, obviously videoing the happy occasion.
“Did you all know?” Erin asked, surprised when they all nodded. “You did a terrific job keeping this a secret. Thank you so much.”
Suddenly another song started playing, and when Bruno Mar’s song, Marry You started to play, James shook his head and pointed a finger at Forrest who looked unrepentant for the song choice. Then, as if capitulating to the man who would one day be his brother-in-law, James grabbed her hand and gave her a grin as they started to skate to the upbeat tune.
As the cold winter air whipped through her hair, Erin knew that she would never ever forget this night. And while James might have thought her love had brought a sweetness to his life, she felt it was more that it was their love for each other that had done that for both of them. She couldn’t wait to see where life took them. She knew that with James at her side—good or bad—they would make it through it all together.
The End
If you enjoy reading heartwarming stories of love, faith and family,
please visit Kimberly’s website for more of her books.
www.kimberlyraejordan.com
For the latest news on releases and sales for Kimberly Rae Jordan’s books, please sign up for her newsletter.
http://eepurl.com/WFhYr
You can also find Kimberly on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyRaeJordan
Twitter: @KimberlyRJordan
Instagram: kimberlyraejordan
As a daughter to missionary parents, USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Rae Jordan spent the first 18 years of her life in Asia with only periodic visits "home" to Canada. With limited access to television, Kimberly spent many hours reading and creating stories in her head. Thus began her love of the written word! She enjoys reading Christian romance (Inspirational Romance), Romantic Suspense and most anything by Dean Koontz!
The years that followed her high school graduation and subsequent return to Canada involved becoming a wife and a mother to four beautiful children. Though the past several years have taken some unexpected twists and turns and have had ups and downs, God continues to work. "Under construction" is the best way to describe Kimberly's life!
Along with writing, Kimberly loves to read, bake and pin craft ideas on Pinterest...and once in a while, she actually tries her hand at one! Living in the cold of central Canada, Kimberly finds winters a great time to hunker down with a good book or spend time getting to know the characters for her next story. She loves to write about the dynamics of faith, family and love in the context of a fiction novel. In addition to entertaining through her stories, Kimberly hopes to inspire and encourage her readers in their own journeys of faith and love.
The Sweetness of Her Love: A Christian Romance (Fostered by Love Book 2) Page 13