by Gayle Eden
“Okay. I’m listening.” She wiped her eyes, trying to save her makeup but not caring if she didn’t. She would have stood but her legs were shaking.
He breathed as if catching his breath before saying, “Carter…called me this morning.”
“You mean you’ve been…” Her eyes were on carter again, who was smiling.
“Listen a sec…” Rayne cut her off.
“Sorry.” She heard him laugh, and smiled, wanting to reach through the phone and hug him, kiss him.
“He called me…”
“Yes. Carter called you.” She looked at Carter, watching as he stood and came around the table.
Everyone was watching him too.
Skye’s heart was thudding when Rayne asked, “Where…is he?”
“Standing by my chair.” She was trying to read Carter’s face, but that grin, that light in his eyes…she’d never seen before.
Then Carter motioned for her to stand.
Puzzled, she got half way up. He slid her chair out, told her to sit back down.
“He’s acting strange….”
Rayne laughed. Everyone at the table did too.
Her heart stopped, her breath caught.
Carter got down on one knee and took her free hand.
“Omygod.” Tears poured out of her eyes.
Carter took the phone and laid it up, so Rayne could hear what he said. Looking into Skye’s eyes, he said clearly, “I love you. Skye. Mind, body, and soul. I need you in my life, for the rest of my life. Will you marry me, take my name, share my bed, let me show you every day for the rest of our lives, how deep and unending love can be?”
With a catch of tears in her voice she managed, “You’re crazy, Carter Croft.”
Laughter ruffled.
Over the phone Rayne said, “Told you…she’d say that.”
Carter chuckled, but said, holding her gaze. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes.” She bit her lip, shaking her head in disbelief.
Digging in his pocket, he came out with a ring and put it on her trembling finger. Leaning down, he kissed it and then stood, pulling her up. Their next kiss was as if no one else was in the room.
Willow leaned over and said in the phone, “They’re kissing, passionately.”
Rayne said, “Good. I’ll…call... later.”
“Good to hear you, Rayne.” They said. Everyone adding something heartfelt for his recovery before he said goodbye.
Skye finally came up for air, but was still holding onto Carter.
He kissed her ear and husked, “I love you.”
She held on tighter. “I love you, Carter. I have loved you since you blacked Tommy Taylor’s eye. You took your good sweet time though, coming back to carry me away like my girlhood dreams.”
Sighs came from the women at the table. Carter set her on her feet, cupped her face, and told her earnestly, “Four Oaks was home. I haven’t felt that until I came back here for good. But I didn’t know I’d left my heart here with a red headed girl with indigo eyes, until I was standing in flower shop… and saw her again.”
Skye, already overwhelmed with love for him, said, “You made me believe in love. You are my love.”
Carter whispered, “I am. I always will be.”
When they were kissing again, Jesse, meal finished, got up from the table, and went to the kitchens.
She began preparing water to wash up, and checked on the other pies in the oven. Finally, she walked to the back door and stepped out, her profile to the door while wiping the tears away before anyone saw them.
When they were ready, and named the date, she would throw the most special wedding the county had ever seen for Skye and Carter.
* * * *
Ah, but someone was watching Jesse Vaughn.
Rio stood at the screen door, his olive and jade eyes observing the arc of sunlight that deepened the honey streaks in Jesse’s hair, and sparkled on the tear she’d not caught in her effort to hide them.
Like his gift did sometimes, a flash went off in his head. The image of Jesse as a little girl appeared. A shard of pain shot through his body—just as it had back when he’d stood unseen in the woods by that old trailer.
Rio turned, hurried through the house, out the front door, and to the tall oak. He fell against the ancient trunk.
Eyes closed, head cupped by his hands, he slid down to sit on his haunches, trying to ease the jagged pain radiating from head to his body. He opened his eyes, the hue more jade as they were apt to get when his emotions were high. He would never forgive himself for not running to her before her crazy drunk father made it around that trailer screaming her name.
He’d known what was coming.
It would torment him forever.
He’d been unable to move. Until it was too late.
(Fire in my Bones)
Book 2
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10