“Jason, I’m serious. I want to be with you. I want to come back and open that home, too.”
“I can think of nothing that would make me happier. But how will we swing it?”
At Jason’s use of the word we a shiver of excitement traveled up Cara’s spine. “Jason, what’s weird is it’s starting to come together. I mean, people want to help.” She bounced her heels off the rock.
“It’s incredible about Leo. I know.” Jason nodded, his gaze locked on hers. His intensity and the fact he’d taken her here to this private place sent an odd thrill zipping through every nerve ending.
“Maybe I can come home and do this a lot sooner. There are a lot of details to sort out, but I can manage them in my spare time.”
“What spare time? You work around the clock in Chicago.”
“Maybe not for much longer. I could give them notice. I’d have to train a replacement.”
“But what about paying back Maya?”
“Guess what? Maya and Rick want to contribute to the assisted living home by forgiving my school loans.”
His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t smile right away. “Is that what you want?”
“I know, huh? I mean…it feels wrong. Feels like I should pay her back. On the other hand, I was hoping Rick would want to invest. I know…I’ll give them a share of the profits once we’re up and running. They like the idea of Aunt Terra living closer to Mama. They think the business concept is sound. Now they can have a part in the success.”
“So how do you feel about it?”
“Excited.”
“There’s light at the end of the tunnel. How long do you think it will take to wrap things up with the Chicago job?”
“It’s not like I’m irreplaceable. There are so many people lined up who want this job.”
He lifted her hand and patted it, looking her in the eye. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. You are irreplaceable.”
Even though there were still obstacles, they were falling like bowling pins. Joy filled her eyes with tears. “Jason, I could be home sooner than I ever imagined.”
“Cara?”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I want to ask you. I’ve wanted to for a while, but it definitely hasn’t been the right time. I don’t know if now is either.”
Butterflies took flight in her stomach.
“Cara, would you consider marrying me?” He chose this moment to look away, his gaze dropping to the ground.
“Yes.” She reached for him, linking her fingers behind his neck, and catching his huge grin with a kiss.
Jason laughed and pulled away. He bent on his knee, reaching into his pocket.
She saw spots. Oh no, don’t faint.
“Cara Cruz, will you be my wife?” He opened a dark box. Inside gleamed a beautiful oval cut diamond engagement ring. Recognition flashed but then faded.
Unable to speak, she nodded.
Jason lifted her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. “This was Mom’s. It was Dad’s mother’s. The one good thing he gave her.”
“If you’re only going to count one good thing he gave her, it was you.”
The first fireworks exploded, lighting the sky and bathing Jason’s handsome grinning face in showers of neon color.
He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Perfect timing, I’d say.”
“Yes, I’d say!” She laughed, tucking herself under his arm and encircling his waist with her arm.
They made their way to Main Street and followed it to the beach where they managed to find their group in the crowd.
“How are you two?” Maya asked, wearing a knowing smile.
“Great,” Cara and Jason said, in unison.
“Aren’t the fireworks beautiful?” Mama said, as another display whistled into the air and burst into sparkling light.
“Very.”
“Hmm…” Rick stared at his phone.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Maya said.
“Just a text about something going on at GameCom.”
“Do you need to deal with it?”
“It can wait.” Rick tucked his phone in his jacket. “Let’s watch this show, shall we?”
“Yes!” Maya, Cara, and Mama chimed.
A triple went off, evoking a collective “ooooh” and lighting the beach.
Maya leaned toward Cara. “Hey, what’s that gleaming on your finger, Cara?”
No one could see the fire burning in Cara’s cheeks, but they could all see the ring on her outstretched left hand and the smile on her face.
Jason took hold of her right hand. “Cara has agreed to marry me.”
Her family’s exclamations of joy were backed by a chorus from the crowd as a seemingly endless succession of fireworks exploded in the sky.
A word about the author…
Nicci Carrera lives to write contemporary and spicy love stories with sassy heroines and sexy heroes. Nicci believes the perfect man makes lots of bread…the kind you eat hot from the oven with butter. She lives in Silicon Valley with her husband, and yes, he bakes all their bread. When not at her keyboard writing a romance, in the kitchen, or curled up with a book, Nicci enjoys photography and long walks. Her monthly newsletter provides original recipes and giveaways along with news. She blogs often, with photos, at niccicarreraromance.com. Connect with Nicci at www.facebook.com/niccicarrera2 and niccicarrera.com.
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Third Strike's the Charm Page 17