Love Ever After: Eleven All-New Romances!

by Nina Lane

  Rhys distracted her by reaching for the date square he’d been looking forward to.

  “Rhys Anderson.” By the steel in her voice, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to get away with ignoring the question. But he planned to try.

  “These are great, Aunt Daisy.” He stuffed the entire square into his mouth and started to chew, which earned him a look of reproach. He chewed slowly but he wasn’t stupid; it wasn’t going to buy him much time. If Daisy thought something was wrong, she’d get to the bottom of it.

  She waited patiently and when Rhys was done chewing the delicious square, he swallowed slowly, wiped his face and got it over with. “It’s Kari.”

  “Is everything okay? Is she sick? She’s not—”

  “She’s fine. Everything is fine.” He took a sip of lemonade. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

  Daisy’s face split into a grin and then quickly turned into a frown.

  “What? I thought you’d be happy.”

  “I am,” Daisy said simply. “But there’s a reason you came in here today looking like your dog just died. Besides, it’s not about me being happy. Not unless it’s me you’re marrying?”

  That made him laugh and a little bit of his tension dissolved. “I love you, Aunt Daisy, but I think it’s a little different.”

  She smiled and Rhys instantly felt at ease. He could tell her anything and she would be the voice of reason. “What’s going on, Rhys?”

  He relaxed back in the wicker chair and decided to go for the easier of the two problems he had at the moment. “Diamonds are expensive.”

  “That’s the problem?”

  “It’s a big one.”

  She laughed, but he knew it wasn’t at him. Well, he hoped it wasn’t at him. “You wait right there. I’ll take care of that problem for you.”

  Rhys stood while Daisy got to her feet and left him on the porch. She wasn’t gone long and when she returned, she pressed a red box into his hand. “You give that special little woman this.”

  He stared at the box but didn’t open it.

  “Go on. It’s not going to bite you.”

  Rhys exhaled slowly and lifted the lid of the old jewelry box. His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an unseen band when he saw what was inside: a beautiful square cut diamond solitaire on a diamond encrusted band. It was exquisite. But he couldn’t use it. He shook his head slowly and lifted his head to see Daisy watching him. “No, I can’t…”

  “It’s yours.”

  “It’s not.”

  Her hand, so light and frail, covered his. Rhys looked into the eyes of the woman who held a special place in his heart. They were full of love and wisdom, and also a steely resolve. There was no changing Daisy’s mind once it was set, but still…the ring was too much. “Rhys. This ring belonged to your mother. She would have wanted it to be on the finger of the woman you love.”

  He shook his hand again, but he knew he’d take it. It would be perfect on Kari’s hand. More than perfect. It was as if the ring was meant for her. “Okay.” His head nodded slightly. “It’s perfect.”

  “Of course it is.” Daisy patted his hand and settled herself into her chair again. “Now tell me what the real problem is.”

  With the ring box held tightly in his hand, Rhys told her about the message Dylan had relayed to him. When he was finished, he looked to Daisy for some feedback. The older woman’s lips were pressed tightly together, her head nodding slightly.

  “Well?”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  “Afraid of what? Of Kari not wanting to get married? That doesn’t make any sense.” And it didn’t. Why would Kari not want to get married? And even if she didn’t, why would Aunt Daisy be afraid of that? Nothing made any sense.

  “It’s not that, Rhys. Settle down.” She picked up the jug of lemonade and poured him some more before she continued. “Have you spoken to Kari about getting married?”

  “I want it to be a surprise. Of course she’ll want to marry me.”

  “Of course.”

  The smug smile on her face told Rhys there was more she wasn’t saying. “But?”

  Daisy let out a slow breath before she spoke. “Have you considered her history? Maybe she might not be in such a hurry to do it again?”

  “But it would be different. I’m not Brice. That was so different. I’d never be—” To even be remotely compared to Kari’s abusive ex-husband made his blood boil, but of course that wasn’t what she was implying. Not at all.

  “No. Of course you wouldn’t. But the idea of getting married might scare her a bit is all. Have you considered that?”

  He hadn’t. And that was the thought that swirled around his head as he headed back to the station.

  He hadn’t considered it at all.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “Can you just put that over there on the counter?” Kari turned with the large cardboard box in her arms. She’d been headed to a table in the middle of the Grizzly Paw were the other boxes were, but if Samantha Harrison wanted it on the counter, that’s where she’d put it. She hefted it slightly, ready to slide it on the counter when Sam said, “On second thought. Maybe you could just put it on the table with the others.”

  “Sam!” Keri picked up the box again and made her way to the table. “It’s heavy, you know. What’s in this, anyway?”

  “Mostly lights, I think.”

  “You think?” Kari reached the table and put the box down with the others before she shook her arms out. If there were only lights in there, there sure were a lot of them. She was beginning to regret agreeing to help her friend with the arrangements for Archer’s surprise birthday party. Not that it was much of a surprise. But there was no way she was going to be the one to tell Sam that. She put so much effort into planning the party, Kari wasn’t going to ruin anything. “What else do you need?”

  “I need you to tell me something exciting.” Sam dropped her chin in her hand and leaned up against the bar. “My life is so boring.”

  Kari couldn’t help but laugh. There was nothing further from the truth. “Are you kidding me? You can’t tell me that things are boring with that new husband of yours. I mean, if the magic’s gone already—”

  Sam rolled her eyes and waved her hand. “Yeah, yeah. That’s all great. But when you’re trying to have a baby…well, Deanna Gordon says…never mind.” Sam waved away the conversation. “I’m telling you. All we do is work. Tell me something exciting. How are things with Rhys? What’s going on there? I’d bet you’re the next to get—”

  “Don’t say it.” Kari’d done a lot of thinking since her early morning run, but she still hadn’t fully figured out what she was going to do about the whole impending proposal, which she was pretty sure Rhys planned on springing on her later that night when he took her for dinner at the Stillwater. He’d dropped a few hints over the weeks that it would be a special dinner. “I don’t want to hear the M word.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with it.” Sam waved her ring finger; the big diamond flashed in the light.

  Kari opened one of the boxes and pulled out a strand of twinkly lights that were all knotted and twisted. “There’s lots wrong with it,” she said. “I’ve done it before, remember? In fact, my divorce has only been official for a few months. I hardly think it’s time to do it all over again.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  Something in her voice caused Kari to stop and look at her friend, who stared at her. “No,” she said. “I’m not.” But it was sort of a lie because more and more, she’d been actually considering the idea. Something she wouldn’t have done even a few weeks ago. “I’ve been married, Sam. I know what it’s like and I’m not sure if I need to go through that again.”

  “Kari!”

  “What?”

  “You do realize that your marriage was not how it’s supposed to be. And if you’re going to use that as a measure of all marriages, nobody would ever get married.”

  Kari shrugged and looked
away, not sure of what else to say. She knew Sam was right.

  “Besides,” Sam continued. “I don’t think you totally believe what you’re saying. I think part of you would like to do it again.”

  Kari froze, lights in her hand, her back to Sam.

  “All I’m saying is don’t dismiss it out of hand. With the right person, marriage isn’t a life sentence. It’s a life.”

  Sam’s words rang in her head. A life. A life with Rhys would be a life. Kari knew that. Everything about them worked. Their connection was intense. His touch on her body was electric. He woke her in ways that she didn’t even know were asleep. And it was more than just physical. Much more. He got her. When they’d met, she had no direction and in such a short time, she’d found her niche at the Springs in a job she loved and wanted to continue to grow and he was so supportive of that. It was different than things had been with Brice. Much different. What Sam said resonated. Since moving to Cedar Springs and finding Rhys, she did have a life. And if she only opened her heart and mind to it, marrying Rhys would only be a continuation of that amazing life.

  “Maybe you’re right,” Kari said slowly, letting each word form on her tongue. “I mean…” She let the words drift away, unable to process the emotion that threatened to spill over.

  “You know I’m right.” Sam laughed, breaking the seriousness of the moment and giving Kari a reprieve. She wiped at her eyes and laughed along with her friend.

  “Right about what?” They both froze and looked to the door and Archer, who’d just walked in. “You don’t have to stop laughing on my account.” He strode into the room. “Unless you’re laughing at me, and in that case, I insist you cut it out.”

  “What are you doing here?” Sam walked over to meet him halfway. “You’re supposed to be hunting or something, aren’t you?” Kari took the opportunity to shove the lights back into the box. She leaned on the top so he couldn’t see what it was she was trying to hide.

  “Fishing,” Archer corrected. “Hunting season isn’t open until fall.” He gave them each a sidelong glance. They weren’t good at keeping secrets. Especially when they acted so suspiciously. “What’s going on here?”

  There was no doubt that Archer knew exactly what was up, but he wouldn’t say anything and there was no way she was going to risk the wrath of Sam either.

  “We’re just going through some boxes for the Summer Equinox festival. I wanted to make sure all the lights worked and everything. We should probably talk about the menu later too. I’ll need to order some more buns if you’re doing smokies on the grill. Or maybe we’ll just go with burgers and keep it simple? You tell me what you’re thinking, Archer, and we can coordinate. But I need the numbers by Monday so I can get the order in.” Sam continued to rattle on about the festival, which Kari had completely forgotten about. It was a brilliant cover and Archer actually seemed to fall for it.

  As the two of them fell into conversation about the upcoming festivities, Kari excused herself. She still had a lot to process when it came to her own life. Sam had made some good points and as she walked down Main Street and let the idea of having a life with Rhys and becoming Mrs. Kari Anderson settle into her bones, it felt right. Really right.

  Maybe dinner at Stillwater would be a whole lot different than she’d thought. And if it was going to be as special of a night as she thought it might, she needed to get ready. Maybe a fresh blow-out and style from the hair salon and a visit to her friend Beth’s closet to borrow one of her designer dresses that her new rock-star husband kept buying her.

  Yes, the night was going to be very special, and judging by the feelings of love and contentment that washed through her, Kari was more ready for it than she ever would have expected.

  Rhys had arranged to meet Kari at the restaurant because she had to work late. He used the showers at the station to clean up and get ready for what was supposed to be a special night. He’d planned to ask Kari to be his wife because he couldn’t imagine living a day without her and that was the next logical step. Right?

  He slid into his suit jacket and adjusted the tie he hated wearing. He knew how much Kari liked it when he dressed up, so he was prepared to suffer for her. Hell, he was prepared to do a lot of things for her. When he was satisfied with his appearance in the mirror, he went to his locker and took the small ring box off the top shelf where he’d left it for safekeeping. He flipped the lid open and lifted the beautiful ring out of its nest. It was perfect. The ring was made for Kari and would only look even more exquisite on the finger of the love of his life. Everything was perfect. At least it should be.

  After talking to Aunt Daisy, Rhys was no longer sure about popping the question. He was no longer sure about a few things. How could he expect Kari to want to jump into matrimony again after what had happened with her ex-husband? Maybe it was unrealistic for him to think she could push those memories aside and do it again, this time with him. Maybe Aunt Daisy was right and she was scared? Maybe he just needed to slow down and give her time? So many maybes. But the last thing he wanted to do was scare her away in any way. So if she was frightened about the idea of marriage, he’d wait. He’d give her time. As much time as she needed. With a sigh and a sad little smile, he put the ring back in the box, snapped the lid shut and placed it back on the shelf of his locker before he slammed it shut and walked out.

  “Kari, you look fantastic.”

  She swirled around to see Jax Carver, the head chef at Stillwater, smiling at her appreciatively from the door of the kitchen. She gave her friend a smile and walked over to greet him. “Thank you, Jax. I just had my hair done, and I borrowed the dress from Beth. It’s going to be a big night.” She probably shouldn’t have said anything, but she couldn’t help it. Once she’d settled into the idea of Rhys proposing, she couldn’t help but get excited about it. In fact, her excitement had surprised her. Not only was she looking forward to him asking her to marry him, she was growing more and more impatient with it. She could laugh at herself and how ridiculous she’d been thinking it was something to be afraid of. Rhys loved her and together they would have a life. A fantastic life. There was absolutely nothing scary about that. Nothing at all.

  “A big night?” Jax raised an eyebrow but didn’t press, not that she expected he would. “Well, I’ll make sure your meals are extra special. I think your date is here.” He gestured with his head and Kari turned to see Rhys, looking handsome as ever in his suit and tie. There was a time she didn’t think he could look any hotter than when he was in his uniform, but seeing him dressed up for her made her stomach flip and a thrill went through her body.

  She walked across the restaurant to meet him. Rhys let out a low whistle and smiled appreciatively when she swirled for him in the royal blue silk dress. It was just low cut enough to show off her cleavage, but still modest. The slit up her thigh was far from modest, however, and as Rhys’s eyes took her in, she was entirely okay with the lack of modesty if it meant her love would keep devouring her with his eyes the way he was.

  “You look amazing.” He wrapped an arm around the small of her back and pulled her in for a quick, but deep kiss that left absolutely no doubt about his feelings for her and the dress she was wearing.

  “You’re looking pretty damn fine yourself.” She winked at him and tugged playfully on his tie. “I’m really looking forward to tonight.” It was an understatement and one she still found ridiculously funny considering the indecision she’d been feeling only twenty-four hours earlier, but it didn’t matter. She was certain now. Very certain.

  “Me too, babe.” With one hand on the small of her back, he waved toward the table where the waitress stood patiently with two menus in hand. “Shall we sit?”

  They had a quiet table in the corner that afforded them a stunning view of the mountains that towered over them, right outside the glass plate windows. The Stillwater had been designed in such a way that every table was the best seat in the house, with spectacular views and just enough privacy to make diners feel as
if they were all alone. After they’d ordered a bottle of wine and selected their meals, Kari and Rhys settled into easy conversation, but Kari made sure to keep it flirty. A touch across the table. A casual bump of her foot on his thigh. A finger running along the inside of his arm. He reciprocated by leaning in and sliding a hand along her thigh. The tension between them was thick, in the sexiest possible way, but there was an undercurrent of something else, too. The expectation of what was to come. At least for Kari.

  Waiting for him to pop the question might just have been the most difficult thing she’d ever done, but when the waitress cleared their plates and then brought dessert and he still hadn’t asked, she started to get a little concerned. Had he changed his mind? Of course, it was ridiculous. There was no timeline for these things. He was probably going to do it later. But when the check came and Rhys handed the waitress his credit card and signed for their meal, he still hadn’t asked. And then he was pulling out her chair and guiding her to the door, and still he hadn’t asked her to marry him. He hadn’t even alluded to it. Nothing.

  They opted to leave her car at the resort, and drive home together. Kari tried to keep her mood light and continue to be flirty. It had been a perfect evening and maybe she’d gotten things wrong. Maybe he didn’t want to ask at the restaurant. That was probably it. He wanted to do it in private, so it could be a romantic and private moment just between them. She could laugh at herself and the irony of the situation, and she might, too, if she all of a sudden wasn’t so concerned.

  Rhys hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her all night. Kari looked stunning. No, more than stunning: she looked like a goddess. She always looked amazing, but it was obvious that she’d put extra time into her appearance for their dinner out. He had told her it would be special. And damn if he hadn’t wanted it to be every bit as special as he’d planned. But he couldn’t do it. He refused to. And not just because the ring was still in his locker at the station. No. Once he was seated across the table from her, looking into the eyes of the amazing woman he loved, Rhys knew without certainty that he didn’t want to lose her. And if that meant taking things slower, and holding off from asking her to be his wife, he would.