by Carla Rossi
She brushed her finger across his lips. It doesn’t matter, Jim. After I thought about it a while, I understood.
But there’s no excuse, Marti, and you need to know it will never happen again.
I believe you, and I’m counting on it.
He scanned the room until his gaze landed on the pile of bags by the door. You knew I was coming?
As of nine-ten this morning.
Who told you?
The correct question would be who didn’t tell me? You must’ve put on a pretty good show. Can’t wait to see the video.
The what?
The video. Thank goodness my dad had the presence of mind to alert Kimmie. Marti motioned to the table. Why did you bring those weeds?
They’re not weeds. Jim gathered the bundle of wilting greenery and returned to sit in a chair by the French doors .
Marti sat on the arm as he pulled several drooping wild violets from the pile. You remembered.
Of course I remembered. But what I didn’t know was that these are not exactly the kind of flowers you can go buy in big bouquets at the florist. Believe me, I tried. I had to get these out of the woods along the road.
Marti slid into his lap and wrapped her arms around him. When she’d held him as tight as she could, she bunched his crisp white shirt in her fingers and pulled him even closer .
It’s good to have you in my arms where you belong, Marti. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t forgiven me.
And I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t come.
Jim met her gaze and touched her face. I love you, Marti. I want you to come home, and I want you to be my wife.
I love you too, Jim. And you better take me home.
He kissed her in earnest. What about the wife part? he whispered against her lips. Please say you’ll marry me.
I’ll marry you.
Marti settled further into his lap, content to kiss him for hours. She memorized the scent of him, the feel of his soft hair between her fingers and...wait...were they forgetting something?
Jim peeled her arms from around him. Shouldn’t we check on your mom?
Oh yeah . My mom .
She jumped out of his lap. We should get out of here.
Good idea. He picked up his jacket and started gathering bags. What about the job here in Dallas? Are you going to make me miss you all week and worry about you driving back and forth?
She stepped into the bathroom to make sure they weren’t forgetting anything. Funny you should mention that. I got a call yesterday and God has provided another way.
God called you? How was His phone voice? Was it like the guy who played God in The Ten Commandments ? I always wondered about that.
Stop. She laughed. I’m trying to tell you something important.
Go ahead. Then, I have something important to tell you.
Did you know Charles and Natalie are both engineers? He’s petroleum and she’s chemical, I believe, or maybe it’s the other way around.
I knew that.
Did you know they are partners in an oil company in north Houston?
They might have mentioned it.
I think I’m going to work for them a while and see what develops.
You want to drill for oil?
Very funny. She snapped her cosmetic case closed. Their chief financial officer is leaving. And since my husband will be in Madison, and I’ll want to spend a lot of time with him--alone--I thought I should take the opportunity.
Wow. Danny was right about this one.
Now what do you have to tell me?
I found out where all that money came from in the building fund.
She flashed a confident smile. Preston Woodruff, right?
Aw, how’d you know that? And here I thought I had news.
I suspected him all along. He’s the only one around with that much money--and the influence to keep it a secret. What I don’t know is why.
Reverend Nichols wasn’t real forthcoming with the information, but it’s all tied up with Preston and his son. I didn’t push, the details aren’t important. Jim slung the last of the bags over his shoulder. What’s important is you and me. He paused to kiss her as he reached for the door. Do you need to ride back with your mom?
Like I’d let you out of my sight... No. She already insisted she would take Ruby and go ahead so we could have some time together. She’s under the impression we could use the drive to plan a quick wedding.
She’s right. Is that okay with you?
She kissed him again. The quicker the better.
Thank you for purchasing this Wild Rose Press publication. For other wonderful stories of romance, please visit our on-line bookstore at .
For questions or more information contact us at [email protected] .
The Wild Rose Press
www.TheWildRosePress.com