She stared up at him, her mouth open slightly, her eyes wide. A tear spilled out and trickled down to her ear. “But you’ll leave me.”
“No,” he said, kissing her with all the gentleness he had. “Never. I have never stopped loving you.”
“How can I believe you? It nearly killed me the last time. I…I loved you so much.”
“I swear to you, there’s no one else for me. You’re my one.”
She started to cry again.
“What can I do to convince you?”
Tears flooded her eyes and trailed down her face. “I don’t know.”
Fuck, she wasn’t listening. The second he let her off the bed she was going to retreat, mentally and physically.
“Will you give me a chance to prove it to you? Please?” He kissed her and kissed her. “I only want you.”
She calmed finally, and wiped her face. “Okay, but I don’t know—”
“I don’t know, either,” he interrupted. “But I’m going to figure this out.” He brought his face down to hers until they were nose to nose. “I will.”
He let her up so she could shower and while she was out of sight and earshot for a few minutes, he made a couple of calls.
The hotel restaurant was crowded—every table occupied and people waiting for tables to become available—but when she and Drew arrived, the hostess seated them at a table for two in the center of the room.
It seemed like everyone was watching them.
Davina shook her head at her own paranoia and focused on reading the menu. When the waitress came to take their drink order, Drew ordered her favorite red wine, then smiled at her so wide, she knew—knew—he was planning something crazy.
Did she want crazy?
She closed her menu then folded her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking. Ever since they’d made love, twice, that morning, she’d felt unbalanced. Uncertain. Unsure of what she wanted.
Her breathing grew shallow as all of those unwanted feelings tangled up her lungs.
And now she was going to cry again.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Drew said, reaching around the table to take one of her hands in his. “You okay?”
She shook her head, just a little shake, but it was enough to make her want to run away.
“Hmm. I was going to do this later, but maybe I need to do it now.” He seemed oddly hesitant.
She met his gaze. “Do what?”
He smiled at her, and keeping hold of her hand, got out of his chair and went to one knee in front of her. His free hand went into a pocket and came out with a small jeweler’s box. “I’ve had this since my grandmother passed away.” He flicked it open to reveal a diamond ring. “Will you marry me?”
She stared at the ring, shock having frozen her breathing entirely. “What?”
“I’ve lived too many years already without you.”
She looked into his face and found an open vulnerability there she’d never seen before.
That’s when she realized the whole restaurant had gone silent. No voices talking or cutlery clanking as people ate. She glanced around.
Everyone was watching the two of them. Most were smiling, but a few, notably women, weren’t.
She looked at Drew again and sucked in a breath. “You…promise?”
His smile lit up the room. “Yes. Do you?”
God, she wanted him. Not just for now, but for always. “Yes.”
She was in his arms and the room erupted in cheers and shouts of congratulations.
“So,” he asked in a whisper that was hers alone “your room or mine?”
She snorted a laugh. “Mine.”
About Julie Rowe
Julie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She loves to include medical details in her romance novels, but admits she’ll never be able to write about all her medical experiences because, “No one would believe them!” In addition to writing contemporary and historical medical romance, and fun romantic suspense for Entangled Publishing and Carina Press, Julie has short stories in Fool’s Gold, the Mammoth Book of ER Romance, Timeless Keepsakes and Timeless Escapes anthologies. Her book SAVING THE RIFLEMAN (book #1 WAR GIRLS) won the novella category of the 2013 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. AIDING THE ENEMY (book #3 WAR GIRLS) won the novella category of the 2014 Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence. Her writing has also appeared in several magazines such as Romantic Times Magazine, Today’s Parent, and Canadian Living.
* * *
For more information about Julie, please visit her online at www.julieroweauthor.com, on Twitter @julieroweauthor, or at her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JulieRoweAuthor.
For more information about Julie, please visit her online at:
@JulieRoweAuthor
JulieRoweAuthor
www.JulieRoweAuthor.com
Also by Julie
Interested in reading more medical romance and adventure? Julie’s newest series The Biological Response Team begins with Deadly Strain.
A sniper tries to protect an infectious disease specialist while they combat a deadly new bacterial strain, but he might not be able to stop her from making the ultimate sacrifice in order to save him.
And continues with Lethal Game.
A dying woman, desperate to live, and a soldier, desperate to die, join forces to stop a madman before he can unleash a devastating biological weapon.
And Viral Justice.
The only doctor who can stop a man-made killer flu couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with a grenade launcher. Bodyguard Sgt. Ali Stone has her work cut out for her…
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Check out Julie’s published backlist of books!
“The way these two characters played off of each other was absolutely brilliant.” Review of Hollywood Scandal from Bitten by Romance
“…The Fast and the Furious meets Beauty and the Beast” review of Molly Gets Her Man from @BookswBenefits
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Julie’s War Girls series is set in German-occupied Belgium during World War One. Discover danger, daring, and passion with three nurses who risk their lives to save the men they call their own.
Saving the Rifleman - John and Maria’s story.
Enticing the Spymaster - Michael and Jude’s story.
Aiding the Enemy - Herman and Rose’s story.
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For contemporary stories of adventure and romance set at the top and the bottom of the world, look for Icebound and North of Heartbreak at your favorite ebook retailer.
Enjoy more Timeless Tales
by
Ruth A. Casie ~ Lita Harris ~ Emma Kaye ~ Nicole S. Patrick ~ Julie Rowe
Timeless Keepsakes
A Collection of Christmas Stories
Join us as our timeless keepsakes take us on five remarkable journeys that heal old wounds, remind us of days gone by, play matchmaker, sweep us back in time, and prove that love can conquer all.
* * *
Timeless Escapes
A Collection of Summer Stories
Escape to the Virgin Islands where the bonds of marriage are renewed, friends become lovers, and new love is given a chance to thrive.
* * *
Timeless Treasures
Stories of the Heart
A special wish of hope, strength, and love brings
five couples what they treasure most in this heartwarming collection of short stories.
* * *
Timeless Moments
The Final Chapter
In the quaint seaside town of Davenport, Rhode Island, five couples find their happily ever afters with a little help from the romance section of The Final Chapter bookstore.
* * *
To receive up-to-date information on future Timeless Scribes publications, visit our website at www.TimelessScribes.com and sign up for our mailing list.
Timeless Scribes Publishing LLC
Print
<
br /> ISBN-10: 0986246417
ISBN-13: 978-0-9862464-1-8
Digital
ISBN-10: 0986246409
ISBN-13: 978-0-9862464-0-1
Forsaking All Others by Ruth A. Casie
Copyright © 2015 by Ruth Seitelman
Till Death Do Us Part by Lita Harris
Copyright © 2015 by Lita Harris
To Have and to Hold by Emma Kaye
Copyright © 2015 by Emma Kaye
From This Day Forward by Nicole S. Patrick
Copyright © 2015 by Nicole S. Patrick
To Love and Honor by Julie Rowe
Copyright © 2015 by Julie Rowe
Lyrics to “It Was You” written by Lita Harris
Copyright © 2015 by Lita Harris
Cover created by Alchemy Book Covers and Design
Edited by Mallory Braus
Copy Edited by Michael Mandarano
All rights reserved.
Except for use in any review, no part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher, Timeless Scribes Publishing LLC, P.O. Box 112, Kenilworth, NJ 07033.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Timeless Scribes Publishing LLC.
www.TimelessScribes.com
Timeless Vows: Five Tales of Love (Timeless Tales Book 4) Page 21