“Yes, I did,” he insisted, becoming agitated.
Worried about his condition, Bernie said, “Maybe we should leave, let you rest. You’re obviously confused—”
“I’m not confused,” he countered, his voice rising. “I…always wished my parents were younger,” he admitted as his eyes grew red with unshed tears. “My parents were a lot older than most of my friends’ parents, and I used to get teased a lot. When I started Kindergarten, I remember the teacher asking if they were my grandparents. Funny to think about now, huh? They were my grandparents.”
“Noah, they loved you very much and were your parents in every way that mattered. I am so sorry you feel this sense of guilt over their deaths, but I absolutely promise you, nothing that’s happened is your fault.”
He shrugged. Turning away from them again, no doubt to hide his tears, he said, “Can I be alone now? I’m tired, and I really don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
Bernie looked at Mike who gave a frustrated nod.
“Of course. They should be here soon to move you to your own room, so I’ll let the nurse’s station know where we’ll be if they—or you—need us.”
When he didn’t reply, but only closed his eyes, Bernie’s heart sank. Though they’d made some progress, it broke her heart to know Noah blamed himself for his parents’ deaths.
Mike left message at the nurse’s station before escorting her down to the waiting room, which had a few people scattered around. He led her to the two-person seat along the back wall and sat, pulling her down beside him.
“You all right?” he asked in a low tone. “Do you want me to go get you a cup of coffee or something?”
“No, I’m okay. Just worried. I had no idea Noah felt that way about Dad and Natalie, or that he’d been teased about their ages. Kids can be so damn cruel.”
He slid his arm around her and hugged her against his side. “He’s a strong kid, honey, he’ll be fine. Look at everything he’s already had to deal with.”
“But he’s miserable, Mike. And I don’t know that he’ll ever accept us as his parents.”
He pulled back to gaze at her, those dark eyes brimming with comfort and strength. “He needs time, that’s all. Time to forgive us, and time to forgive himself, even if there’s nothing truly to forgive himself for. He probably feels like if he accepts us as his parents, it’s like a betrayal of the parents who raised him. Let’s just be thankful he’s all right, and take it one day at a time.”
He was right, and she knew it. Time healed all wounds, isn’t that what they said? In the meantime, they would love him and let him concentrate on his new extended family. Particularly, his half-sister, Maddie. Noah adored her, and the feeling was obviously mutual. He also had two new doting grandmothers, and Dale, who Noah already had a good connection with.
“Hey,” Mike whispered against her temple, “why don’t we head outside to the courtyard, get some fresh air and maybe a little privacy?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Bernie found her first smile of the night as he pulled her to her feet, wrapped an arm around her, and led the way outside into the small yet lush courtyard. A mix of red, purple and white flowers filled the air with their heady scent, and she breathed deep as Mike headed to the lone bench centered beneath a dimly lit overhead lamp. He sat and pulled her down onto his lap.
“Cozy, hey?” he whispered before pulling her hair back to nuzzle the space just below her left ear.
“Very.” She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his warm lips against her sensitive skin. He pulled back suddenly, drawing a moan of disappointment from her.
“There’s something I think we should probably talk about.”
“And what would that be?” It felt so good to be in his arms. Now that they knew their son would make a full recovery, there wasn’t anywhere she’d rather be right now.
“Us.” He lifted her chin to look her in the eye. “I love you, Bernadette Mitchell. I want to spend the rest of my life making you blissfully happy.”
“Well, I’m completely on board with that. Maybe you could start right now?” She cupped the back of his head and pressed her lips to his to seal it with a kiss.
He broke contact and leaned back again to meet her gaze. “There’s only one thing I need before we can move forward.”
“Oh? And what’s that?” She tried to pull him in for another kiss, but he held back, his gaze suddenly serious.
“I need to hear the words. Say you love me, Bernie.”
As confident as he was, it had never dawned on her he would need to hear her say it. She held his handsome, stubble-covered face in her hands and let her heart speak for itself. “I love you, Michael Thomas Donovan. I’ve always loved you, from the first moment I laid eyes on you in Mrs. Bromsky’s fourth grade homeroom. You walked in dressed in Guess overalls with one of the straps down, and I thought you were so cool.”
He laughed. “What can I say, I was a huge fan of The Fresh Prince back then. And I can’t believe you remember that.”
“I can still picture you in my mind,” she admitted with a grin, closing her eyes for emphasis. “You were so handsome you took my breath away. Then you told me my hair was ‘super pretty,’ and I was a total goner.”
She opened her eyes, and his smile was so brilliant it outshined every star in the night sky.
“God, how I love you.” He caressed a lock of her hair between his thumb and forefinger. “And you still have the prettiest hair I’ve ever seen.”
“And you still take my breath away. Perhaps you could give me a little demonstration?”
He stroked her cheek with a gentle hand as his eyes centered on her mouth. “It would be my absolute pleasure,” he whispered before sealing their mouths—and their future—with a kiss.
Epilogue
“Oh, my God, that was frickin’ awesome!”
Bernie laughed over Noah’s pronouncement as she followed him out the door, Mike and Maddie right behind her. They’d just finished going through Hell Haus, Wisconsin’s scariest haunted mansion, and it really had been a blast. Chills, thrills, endless rooms and hallways with evil monsters lurking in every darkened corner, and never-ending zombies spilling in from every door and window.
Though looking at Maddie, whose arms were clenched around her father’s neck so tight it looked as if she was strangling him, Bernie wasn’t so sure it had been a good idea bringing her along. But she’d insisted, and Mike had finally given in.
“Hey, Red, you all right?”
She peeked up from the crook of Mike’s neck to nod at her brother.
“Honey, I told you, you should have stayed home with grandma and Aunt Gracie,” Mike gently admonished. “I’m worried you’re going to have nightmares.”
“She won’t,” Noah assured as he held the door for them with his good arm. “I have a trick for that. We’ll watch something fun, like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, right before bedtime, and that’s what we’ll have dreams about.”
Contentment warmed Bernie’s heart over the brotherly concern Noah showed his little sister. And also the ease with which he and Mike got along. They’d come a long way since the night of that horrible accident almost six weeks ago. And though they had a long way yet to go—Noah still referred to them as Mike and Bernie, not Mom and Dad—she had no doubt of one thing. They were definitely on the road to becoming the family they were always meant to be.
But she and Mike also wanted to make sure he kept in touch with Natalie’s family, so they planned to surprise him with a trip to North Dakota during Christmas break so he could spend a week with his grandma Trina, his aunt and uncle, and his five cousins, who he missed like crazy, and who all missed him.
Maddie lifted her head up, a smile of relief replacing the mask of fear as she wiggled to be free. Mike set her down, and she grasped Noah’s hand before the two of them took off across the parking lot.
“Be careful!” Bernie called out as Mike came up and slung an arm arou
nd her. Last thing she wanted was for Noah to trip and fall, reinjure himself. His ribs had fully healed, thank God, but he still needed to wear his arm cast for another couple of weeks.
“He’s so good with her,” Mike commented as they watched the kids run together under the glow of the street lamps.
“Yeah, he’s pretty terrific,” she agreed snuggling against his side. “And he’s got the best little sister a kid could ask for.”
“I can’t argue with you there.” Mike kissed the top of her head.
After stopping for ice cream on the way home, they dropped Noah and Maddie off at Bev’s for a sleepover, then headed to Bernie’s for some much needed alone time.
They’d barely cleared the front door when Mike twirled her around and wrapped his arms around her. “Now this is what I’m been waiting for all night,” he murmured against the sensitive flesh behind her ear before capturing her lips for a slow, sensuous kiss.
Bernie twined her arms around his neck, reveling in the silky feel of his mouth against hers as he kissed her with unrivaled passion. His moist tongue dipped inside, retreated, then slid inside again, teasing, tempting, driving her mad with desire. Her nipples hardened as her body flared to life, eager for this man’s touch.
She started inching backwards, hoping he’d take the hint and carry her upstairs to her bedroom, but he surprised her by halting her progress and ending the kiss.
Groaning her disappointment, she gazed up at him in frustrated curiosity. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Not a thing,” he assured her in a low, sexy tone. “In fact, nothing has ever felt so right. That’s why this is the perfect moment to do something I’ve dreamt of doing since we were kids.”
She frowned, truly puzzled, until he dug into his front pocket and pulled out a little blue velvet box. Heart pounding, she went numb as the reality of what was about to happen hit her. Tears sprang to her eyes as he grasped her hand and got down on bended knee.
He thumbed the box open to reveal the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. The simple yet stunning solitaire diamond sparkled with promise for the future.
“Sweetheart, I tried to prepare some perfect proposal speech for you, but the truth is, words were never my strong suit. But what I can say is I love you with all my heart, and if you’ll agree to marry me, I’ll spend every day trying to make you the happiest woman on the planet. We already have an amazing family, all I need now is for you to become my wife.”
Unable to speak, her throat thick with emotion, Bernie could only nod.
Mike let out a whoop that should’ve brought the rafters down before he jumped up and swept her off her feet. He kissed her breathless, then set her down and plucked the ring from the box.
“I can’t wait to tell mom and the kids,” he said as he carefully slid it onto her left-hand ring finger
Bernie held out her hand, which shook with excitement, and admired her beautiful engagement ring. “Were they in on this? Is that the real reason for the sleepover?”
“Maybe.” He grinned and drew her back into his embrace. “Noah assured me you’d say yes. And Maddie asked if you would be her Bernie now, too.”
The little darling. “She is too cute.”
“I know.” He slipped one arm beneath her knees and lifted her into his arms.
She twined her arms around his neck and nuzzled the spot just beneath his jaw. Mmm. He smelled spicy and sexy, and all she wanted to do was get him upstairs so she could have her wicked way with him.
When he simply stood there, she leaned back to look at him. His gaze was almost hesitant, making her frown. “I’m feeling a little déjà vu here, but is something wrong?”
“No, sorry. It’s just…I overheard Maddie ask my mom if you were going to be her new mommy. And it suddenly dawned on me that we’ve never actually talked about it.”
Ahh. “Mike, I love your daughter. I hope you know that.”
He smiled and gave her a quick kiss. “I do. But—”
“And I would be honored to have her call me mother, if she’ll have me.”
His breath came out in a gentle whoosh. “I love you so much.”
“And I love you.” She brushed her mouth across his, which still tasted faintly of strawberry ice cream. “But you know what they say, actions speak louder than words.” She gave her eyebrows a suggestive wiggle.
“Well, I’m nothing if not a man of action,” he assured her as he headed for the stairs at a fast clip. “I’m also eager to make up for lost time, so hold on tight and don’t let go.”
“Never again, my love. Never again.”
~The End~
(or, only the beginning )
~~~~~
If you haven’t already, Stacey Joy Netzel and I would love for you to read the rest of our series and fall in love with the characters who’ve become our friends.
—Donna Marie Rogers
Thank you for reading!
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Donna Marie Rogers’ Other Titles
Lake Shelbyville Series
That Magic Touch, Book 1
Jamison Family Series
There’s Only Been You, Book 1
Foolish Pride
(‘extra peek’ short story)
Meant To Be, Book 2
Golden Series
(contemporary western)
Golden Opportunity
Welcome To Redemption Series
(Books 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 written by Stacey Joy Netzel)
A Fair of the Heart, Book 1
The Perfect Blend, Book 3
Home Is Where the Heart Is, Book 5
Never Let Me Go, Book 7
Say You Love Me, Book 9
Up next in the WELCOME TO REDEMPTION series is:
SAY YOU’LL MARRY ME
Welcome To Redemption Book 10
by Stacey Joy Netzel
“Why would I help you? We don’t even like each other.”
Truer words were never spoken, but Joy Dolinski needs a fake fiancé, and money is no object. Unfortunately, the one man who fits the bill turns her on with a hot kiss, then turns her down flat.
Though Logan Walsh desperately needs the half-million Joy offers to save his farm, pride refuses to let him be her charity case. Once he discovers why she asked for his help, a change of heart has the potential to change their future.
~ ~ ~
Excerpt
“Why are you here?” he demanded. “What do you want?”
You.
But it wasn’t like she could come right out and say that. It wouldn’t sound right at all, and the way he’d hear it was definitely not the way she’d mean it. Her gaze swept down over his snug, faded red T-shirt and jeans. Then again—
No, don’t go there!
She jerked her attention back up. “I wanted to talk to you about my grandma. Yesterday afternoon…”
His anger eased slightly, giving way for a hint of sympathy. “Yeah. That was different.”
“Well, in her mind, you’re Luke. Unfortunately, it’s only going to get worse with you at the ranch every day.”
He stiffened as a frown furrowed his brow. “I’ve been at the ranch almost every day for a couple years now.”
“I know, but for some reason, she’s suddenly convinced herself that you’re Luke.”
“Great. So, what, am I fired? You want me to quit?”
Joy reared her head back in surprise at the return of his anger. “No, of course not. In fact…”
She trailed off as the rest of her sentence played in her head. Cripes, he would think she was as loony as her grandma. She cringed—sorry, Gram, I know you’re not crazy. But I think I might be.
“In fact, what?” Logan prompted.
She drew in a deep breath, and forged ahead. “I think I have a solution that might work for all of us.�
�
“And what would that be?”
“We can…play along with her.”
He stared at her as if she’d grown a second head. “You mean pretend to be engaged?”
“Yes.”
His expression said no.
Not only no, but hell no.
“I’d pay you, of course. Enough to save your farm.”
That got her a humorless laugh. “Yeah. Sure. It would take a half-million dollars to save this farm.”
“Okay.”
His head dipped and eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “You have that kind of money?”
“I do.”
“To be clear, we’re talking about you, not your grandfather.”
“Yes.” She shrugged, suddenly embarrassed at the amount of money sitting in her accounts when he was faced with foreclosure in the near future. “My parents had a large life insurance policy,” she explained. “It sat in a trust from the time I was two until I was twenty-one, and I don’t spend much.”
He stared at her a moment more, then swung away, toward the hay bale where his guitar rested. “Un-frickin’-believable.”
“What?” She took a couple steps closer. “I’m offering you a chance to save—”
“I don’t want your charity,” he ground out.
“It’s not charity. If it makes you feel better, consider it an exchange of favors.”
He spun back around and stalked toward her. His expression clearly conveyed that had been the wrong choice of words.
Say You Love Me (Welcome To Redemption #9) Page 18