“Thanks for saving the day, Superman.”
Garrett grinned. “How did you know I have a Superman tattoo?”
Rayne’s eyes lit up and she laughed gleefully. “Really? I guessed it? Oh wow. That’s perfect. Where is it?” she asked eyeing him curiously.
Garrett laughed. “You’ll never know. Unless you marry me.”
Rayne’s smile faded as she stared at him in shock. “What did you just say?” she whispered.
Garrett smiled bigger and leaned down to kiss her again, careful of her hurt face. “You heard me.”
Rayne licked her lips and stared at his chest. “Why? Why would you want to marry me?”
Garrett sat down on the edge of her bed and took her hand in his. “Because I realized something today. I realized that I need to stop living my life based on someone else’s poor choices. I realized I can’t let someone who doesn’t love me, control who I love or how I love. I realized that I love you, Rayne.”
Rayne stared at him, her large green eyes now filled with tears as she smiled and reached for him. He carefully pulled her into his arms, worried about all of her bruises as she pulled him tighter and tighter.
“Oh, Garrett, I didn’t know if you’d ever be able to tell me you love me. I could see it in your eyes sometimes when you looked at me, but I thought you were too scared. Well then, I’m grateful for everything that happened today because it means you’re ready to hear how I feel about you.”
Garrett smiled tenderly down at Rayne and wondered again how such an amazing woman had fallen into his life right when he needed her.
“How do you feel about me?” he asked softly as he kissed the knuckles of her hand.
Rayne sighed happily and touched his face, tracing his cheek bone and then his lips. “I adore you,” she whispered. “I love you with my whole soul. I remember the exact moment when you turned around and looked at me that first day. It felt as if I was hit by a truck. You were too much for my eyes and I had to look away.”
Garrett laughed and kissed her again. “You made it so easy to fall in love. I just wish I’d met you a couple years ago. I’ve been so lonely waiting for you.”
Rayne’s face softened and she sat forward and put her arms around his neck, resting her cheek against his. “Pumpkin, you’ll never be alone again,” she promised.
Garrett laughed and held her gently as he whispered in her ear all of the things he’d been wanting to say. He told her of his dreams for them and she held him even tighter.
When she pulled back and looked into his face she smiled. “I know you’re a take charge kind of guy and you hate it when I try and pay for dinner but I hope you won’t mind if I just go ahead and ask you to . . .”
Garrett stared at Rayne with narrowed eyes as he placed a finger over her lips. “Yes I would mind. If you were getting ready to say what I think you were saying I would mind very much. Rayne sweetheart, let me do this part. Please?”
Rayne sighed and glared at him. “Why? When I’m willing to just go ahead and get it done right now?”
Garrett laughed and looked away. “Sweet Cakes, I love you. But just for me, allow me this small tradition.”
Rayne pursed her lips and looked irritated. “You and your traditions. You know, sometimes, I like to take charge.”
Garrett grinned and leaned in, kissing the side of her neck and nuzzling her ear. “Which I love. I’ll even promise to let you pay for lunch next week if you’ll grant me this one favor.”
Rayne gave up and smiled. “Fine. But just because I love you more than anything, more than anybody, more than I could have ever imagined,” she said as she ran a hand over his short hair.
Garrett sighed happily and touched his forehead to hers. “I love you, Rayne. I love you. I love you,” he whispered over and over and felt the holes in his heart heal every time he said it. It might take a lifetime of loving Rayne to fill every last hole in his heart but all he knew was that loving Rayne had been the greatest blessing of his life.
Chapter 20 – Forever
Two months later
Rayne was ushered into The Iron Skillet by Ivy and Cleo and glanced around suspiciously. “What’s going on you two? If you wanted clam chowder, all you had to do was say so. Honestly, I don’t know why you insisted I get dressed up for this. Wren and Rob don’t care what I look like.”
Ivy groaned. “Why are you being so stubborn? Just put a big smile on your face and behave.”
Rayne glared at her sister but then saw Cleo draw her finger over her neck in the universal symbol of I’m going to Kill you if you don’t shut up.
“Okay, now I’m worried. Seriously. I’m not taking another step if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”
Cleo and Ivy glanced at each other and then immediately bent over and picked her up. Rayne squawked in shock as they carried her to the back of the restaurant where a private banquet room was and pushed open the doors. As soon as they entered the room, a loud roar of yelling enveloped everyone and she scrambled out of her sister and Cleo’s arms. She stared in surprise at all the familiar faces and smiled and clapped her hands.
“Guys, this is lovely, but my birthday isn’t until next week. What a surprise though! I wasn’t even expecting a surprise birthday party.”
Garrett walked up to her frowning and shaking his head. “This isn’t a surprise birthday party, although now that you mention it, that’s not a bad idea.”
Rayne leaned up on her toes and kissed him automatically. “Pumpkin, if this isn’t my birthday party, what is all this for?” she asked looking at all of the balloons and streamers and people.
Garrett sighed and bit his lip as if he was trying not to smile, but she could see the excitement in his eyes. She gasped as he slowly went down on one knee and took a small box out of his pocket.
“Rayne, you’re the only woman in the world I could ever give my ring too. You’re my heart, and my faith and my hope. Like rain, you came into my life and brought my heart back to life. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met and I’d be grateful if you’d accept this ring and say you’ll be my wife.”
She lifted shaking hands to her mouth as she stared at the large diamond ring and shook her head. She’d been hoping and expecting but actually seeing Garrett on his knees in front of her, holding the most gorgeous ring she’d ever seen out to her was too much. She felt the tears slip down her cheek as she shook her head. She saw the way his eyes narrowed suspiciously and she grinned.
“No, you silly man, as if I’d ever turn you down. I’m just so humbled that out of all the women in the world, you chose me. You already know I love you, but I want you to know that I’m going to love you forever. I’ll never leave you. Never. I’ll treasure your heart and protect it as long as I Iive. Yes I’ll marry you, since it’s the only way I’ll ever get to see your tattoos.”
The crowd of people roared with laughter as Garrett reddened and stood up, slipping the ring on her finger before pulling her into his arms and kissing her slowly with so much tenderness that she began crying again.
He leaned back and kissed her tears away as he stared down into her face. “I lied. I don’t have any tattoos. I was just tempting you so you’d agree to marry me.”
Rayne laughed and threw her arms around his neck. “You, Garrett Murphy are a stinker. And just for that, you have to get one now.”
Garrett lifted an eyebrow. “Did your parents know how wild you are?”
Rayne grinned and looked at the large diamond on her finger. “They didn’t have a clue.”
Garrett picked her up and swung her around before letting her down and allowing everyone else to crowd around to see her ring. He stepped back before he was trampled and bumped into Tate Matafeo.
“Nicely done, Garrett.”
Garrett grinned and pounded Tate on the back. “So glad you could come. Rayne adores Jane and she thinks you’re amazing. We owe you for all the hard work you did on her case.”
Tate frowned and shrugged. “I just wi
sh I could have done more. Tying Derek Green to her parents’ murders would have been ideal.”
Garrett frowned. “He’s going to trial next month. We still have time.”
Tate frowned and ran a hand up the back of his neck. “He’s holding back Garrett. He knows something. And he hasn’t given up who hired him yet. If we can’t get that during the trial, then I worry . . .”
Garrett glared and looked away. “You worry that Rayne and her sister will still be in danger.”
Tate nodded. “I won’t lie to you. Graham has an alibi and no motive. He doesn’t want or need their money. He comes back clean every time and honestly, I believe him.”
Garrett sighed and felt a shiver of dread run down his back. “If anyone tries to hurt my wife, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
Tate shook his head. “I understand, Garrett. And I’ll do everything I can to find out who hired this guy. But until then . . .” Tate paused. “I suggest you take a long honeymoon and not tell anyone where you’re going.”
Garrett blinked and nodded his head. “Excellent advice,” he said grimly and clapped Tate on his back. “You’re going to be one of my groomsmen, right?”
Tate laughed in surprise. “Me? You’re kidding right? You’ve hated my guts for as long as I’ve known you.”
Garrett grinned. “It’s amazing what can happen when a person does everything they can to help protect the woman I love.”
Tate grinned and nodded his head. “That and we’re friends now.”
Garrett smiled. “That and we’re friends. Good friends and I’m grateful for it.”
Tate shook his hand and motioned toward Rayne who was laughing and smiling and showing off her ring to Wren and Taryn.
“Congratulations, Garrett. I’m glad you found Rayne. I never have to feel guilty about stealing Jane from you ever again.”
Garrett laughed and nodded his head. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m so grateful you stole Jane from me. She was always meant for you and Rayne was always meant for me.”
“You’re welcome,” Tate said with a smile before patting his shoulder and walking away.
Garrett stared at Rayne and felt his heart burn with love and knew that as hard and painful as his life had been, loving Rayne and being loved in return had made up for all of it.
Garrett made his way through the crowd and pulled Rayne into his arms. “Ivy and the band want to sing a song in our honor. Let’s go sit down over there.”
Rayne looked around in surprise and noticed the band was already set up and looking at them expectantly. Ivy took the microphone in her hands and nodded at her.
“Here’s a little song I wrote for my sister and Garrett. It’s called, Falling for Rayne.”
Rayne and Garrett sat back and listened to Ivy sing a slow, haunting song that made her want to hold onto Garrett and never let go. At the end, the applause was so loud that Rob had to ask everyone to calm down a little.
Rayne ran up to Ivy and hugged her tightly as Cleo joined them, taking pictures with her phone.
“Brilliant, Ivy. Gorgeous and beautiful and achingly brilliant. I love my song,” Rayne said, grinning at her sister.
Ivy blushed as Asher came to stand next to her. “She’s the best singer we’ve ever had. But she’s an even better songwriter. She’s a true artist,” he said, staring at Ivy as if he was enthralled.
Becket took that moment to walk up. He ignored everyone but Ivy and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. “You make me feel too much when you sing,” he said softly and stared down into Ivy’s face before turning to Rayne and touching her on the shoulder. “Congrats, Rayne. You make my friend happy and that makes me happy. You’ll be a good sister-in-law.”
Rayne smiled her thanks and then he was gone. She stared at Ivy’s stunned expression and then noticed Asher looking unhappily after Becket. Cleo stared at Asher with yearning in her eyes but then quickly hid it with a bright grin.
“Well on that note, let’s get this party started!” Cleo yelled and disappeared into the crowd of people.
Ivy hugged her hard and pulled back. “Seeing you happy and in love gives me hope. I’m so excited for you.”
Rayne sighed happily. “Thanks Ivy. Last year if someone had told me that I would be living in Fircrest and getting married to a landscaper I wouldn’t have believed it. But standing here with this ring on my finger and seeing you happy and healthy and hopeful, it’s better than a dream come true. It’s a dream I never even hoped to dream. Someone with a much better imagination dreamed this for me and I’m loving every second of it.”
Ivy hugged her again. “Me too, Rayne. Me too.”
Rayne spent the next two hours talking and laughing and dancing as she and Garrett celebrated their love and their decision to get married. But in the back of her mind was a small worry.
Someone was still trying to kill her and her sister. And she didn’t know who it was.
Out Now – Dreaming of Ivy, Book 2 in the Love and Flowers Trilogy
Chapter 1 in Book 2, Dreaming of Ivy - Nerves
Ivy wrapped her arms around her knees as she stared out over the gray, choppy water of the Puget Sound. Kenya, her Labradoodle nudged her knee with her nose and she automatically ran her hand over the springy curls of her dog.
“Go play Kenya,” she urged and smiled as the dog wandered off to nose a suspicious pile of dried seaweed.
She sighed as she watched her sister Rayne and Cleo come into view. They’d gone for a walk down the shore but were already coming back. She frowned and closed her eyes as a little sigh slipped out. Having her own personal bodyguard and an overprotective sister meant that it was very rare to have any time to herself to just sit and think. She could hide out in her room at home, but there was just something about staring out at the water and feeling the salty breeze on her face that brought peace like nothing else.
That was what she was after today. A little peace. She glanced at Rayne and Cleo and relaxed a little as they looked like they were going to pause for a little chat. Probably talking about Rayne’s upcoming wedding to Garrett Murphy.
Ivy smiled a little as she rested her chin on her knees. Growing up with her parents meant that everything was controlled. Their diet, their schedule, their school and teachers, the subjects they studied, their friends, their everything. She had grown up watching Rayne rise to the occasion as the perfect daughter. She was beautiful, poised and luckily enough, a very talented pianist which fit in with their parents’ list of requirements.
Rayne had left home at nineteen to travel the world and play the piano. In the beginning she had loved it and had enjoyed the spotlight, but their parents had pushed for more and more. They wanted more acclaim for their daughter. They had wanted it all. Until Rayne had begun looking tense and unhappy and tired. She’d burned out and when she’d confronted their parents about taking a break they’d laughed at her.
And Ivy had sat back and watched and had done nothing to help her sister. But in her defense, her parents weren’t in the habit of listening to their troubled daughter. In every way that Rayne had risen to the challenge and become the woman their parents had dreamed of, she had gone the opposite direction. Poor grades. Poor social skills. Poor self-esteem. Poor everything except for her bank account. The only place she had enough.
Growing up wealthy meant she never went without clothes or food or entertainment, but it also meant her parents had the privilege of pawning her off on tutors, therapists and camps. While her parents had been busy traveling the world with Rayne, she’d been left at home in the hopes that someday her mom and dad would return home and find her a changed woman. Normal. Happy. Perfect.
Ivy smiled grimly at the darkening skies and shook her head. A few years ago when she’d switched therapists, she’d found someone who had seen past all of the years of neglect to what lay underneath it all. A bad case of O.C.D. and the dangerous signs of anorexia that went hand in hand with it. She’d been admitted to a facility that specialized in eating
disorders and had stayed for six months. During that time, she had been given the correct medication to treat her O.C.D. and given the skills she needed to deal with life and her eating habits.
She’d also learned something amazing. She was okay. And hadn’t that come as a shock to her parents. Take away the O.C.D. and add in quality therapy and she was well on her way to being and feeling normal. Ivy grinned as the wind lifted the hair off her face and pushed against her.
Before her parents had died in the car crash, she had been in the process of finding an apartment and moving out. Rayne had been a huge support and had gone up against their parents on her behalf and she’d forever be grateful for that. But then her parents had died and she’d gone spiraling back down into the dark. Rayne had been forced to take her to psychiatric hospital for a couple days until she’d gotten herself together.
But living here in Fircrest Washington with Rayne and Cleo she was gaining her strength. She was stronger every day and she was finding her own path.
And for the first time in her life, she was happy.
Happy and yet vulnerable too. It was a scary thing to know that someone might want you dead. Since moving to Fircrest, she’d been shot in the arm and shoulder by a drive-by shooter and had ended up moving across town to live in Garrett’s house. And then a few days after that, Rayne had been attacked. Luckily it had happened right across from their house and Garrett had been there to save her, but it had been a close call. With the man behind bars awaiting trial, they felt relief, but Garrett was positive that whoever hired him was just going to hire someone else to try again.
Rayne tried to hide the fact that she was worried, but she knew her sister. On the other hand, they now had a small army of people looking out for them. Garrett, her sister’s fiancé was a Marine and he was always around the house doing little projects with the yard. His business partner and friend, Becket Lowell was in the habit of showing up at the oddest times too and she suspected he was there to keep an eye on her.
Falling for Rayne: Book 1 in the Love and Flowers Trilogy Page 20