“Do you want coffee?” she asked as she poured herself a cup.
“You’ve lost weight.”
“I’ll take that as a no.” She sat at the table. He sat across from her. She didn’t say anything; this was his show.
“You didn’t answer my question. Did you mean it when you asked me to stay away from you, Rylie?”
“Yes.” His brown eyes darkened with pain. God, she had the ability to cause him pain?
“Did you mean it when you said you loved me?” She couldn’t lie. Not to this man.
“Yes.” She saw his eyes soften, and he sighed. “But you have no idea about the complications of my life.” She rocked her coffee cup between her hands.
Darius reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out two printed pieces of paper and handed them to her. Rylie read them three times. First, there was information about school districts. Then there was after care information for Georgie that included special programs for children with autism. She had no idea services like that were even available. There was even information about the community colleges available for Sawyer, and how he could transfer those credits to the California University Systems.
“What have you done?” she whispered.
“I’ve researched. I’ve planned. I’ve hoped.”
“What if I told you I wanted to stay in Oklahoma?”
“I’ve checked into getting certified as an EMT.”
“You can’t stop being a SEAL,” Rylie cried.
“Eventually, I’ll have to, but I’ll always want to be with you.” Rylie got up from the table and put her untouched cup of coffee in the sink.
“You have to meet my family. We’re a package deal. They get a vote too.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was a foster kid, things were done to me, I wasn’t asked, and I didn’t have choices. I would want to be part of the decision making process.” They both chuckled when they heard the station wagon pull up.
“I think you’ve already stacked the deck when it comes to Sawyer,” Rylie accused.
“He’s a good kid.” The backdoor slammed and in walked not just Sawyer and Georgie, but Charlotte as well. Rylie shook her head at Sawyer, who gave her an innocent look.
“Family meeting,” Rylie said gesturing towards the table. All of the little Jones family sat. Rylie looked at him, and he sat down as well.
“This is Darius Stanton.”
Charlotte reached out and clasped his big hand in one of her tiny ones. “Welcome. Are you the man my sister loves?”
“I pray I am.” Charlotte beamed.
“You got that in one, Ace. You said ‘pray.'” Sawyer grinned.
“Shut up, Sawyer. I just want Rylie to be happy. Look at her right now, she might not be smiling on the outside, but she is finally shining again, and it’s because he’s here.”
“Dare is talking about all of us moving to California with him.”
“Do you want that?” Sawyer asked.
“I want what’s best for this family,” she said firmly.
“Bullshit. I’m sick of you putting this family over your happiness,” Sawyer’s tone was loud, and Georgie whimpered.
“Hey, there little guy. Sawyer isn’t mad at you. He’s just talking loud so Rylie can hear. Sometimes she only hears loud voices,” Darius said to Georgie with a soft smile.
Georgie didn’t look at him, but he didn’t move away from him either.
“Sorry little man, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Sawyer said.
“Not scared. Say sorry to Rylie.” Georgie thrust out his lip.
“Sorry, Rylie.” Sawyer laughed at his sister. She laughed too.
“No, this Rylie.” Georgie thrust his dinosaur at Sawyer. Sawyer bent down and looked at the stuffed animal and apologized. Then Georgie pushed the animal towards Darius. “Say hi to Rylie.” Everyone at the table stilled. Apparently this was a big deal.
“Hi Rylie, it’s nice to meet you, my name is Dare.” Georgie nodded his head, then got up and went and sat on Sawyer’s lap.
“Well, I guess you have your answer, Rylie,” Charlotte said as she got up.
“Yep,” Sawyer agreed, as he got up holding Georgie. “Char, want to go with me over to Mrs. Whitehawk’s for a bit?”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Rylie watched as they all left the kitchen in seconds. She was overwhelmed. Darius came around the table, and pulled her off her chair and held her in his arms. “I like your family.”
“They like you.”
“Will you come with me? Please don’t break my heart again.”
“That’s not possible.” She felt the tears start. “You can’t mean to keep me. Nobody keeps me.”
He pulled back the slightest bit and tilted her chin. “You are my dream come true. You know how you said you don’t get a happily ever after?” She gave a tiny nod.
“Well, I want mine. You’re it.” He knelt on his knees. “Rylie Jones, I want to keep you forever. I want to shelter you in my heart. I want to marry you.” He pulled the ring out of the front pocket of his jeans and watched as her eyes widened.
“Please, be mine forever,” he begged.
“Forever?” she whispered.
“And ever, and ever, and ever.”
“God, yes.”
He stood up and took her into his arms, knowing he would never let her go.
THE END
Biography
Caitlyn O'Leary is an avid reader, and considers herself a fan first and an author second. She reads a wide variety of genres, but finds herself going back to happily-ever-afters. Getting a chance to write, after years in corporate America, is a dream come true. She hopes her stories provide the kind of entertainment and escape she has found from some of her favorite authors.
Keep up with Caitlyn O’Leary:
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Website: http://www.caitlynoleary.com
Email: [email protected]
Books by Caitlyn O’Leary
The Found Series
Revealed, Book One
Forsaken, Book Two
Healed, Book Three
Midnight Delta Series
Her Vigilant SEAL, Book One
Her Loyal SEAL, Book Two
Her Adoring SEAL, Book Three
SEALed with a Kiss, Book Four, Novella
Her Daring SEAL, Book Five
A SEALs Vigilant Heart, Book Six), Novella (Summer 2016)
Fate Harbor Series Published by Siren/Bookstrand
Trusting Chance, Book One
Protecting Olivia, Book Two
Claiming Kara, Book Three
Isabella’s Submission, Book Four
Cherishing Brianna, Book Five
Her Daring SEAL (Midnight Delta Book 5) Page 21