The Reluctant Bachelor
Page 23
Rick leaned forward and tried to take the microphone from her. “Elizabeth, don’t do this.”
She held on tighter and stepped away from him. “Don’t what? Tell the truth?” She glanced at the videographer. “You confessed your feelings in front of an audience of millions. Why can’t I share mine with hundreds?”
Rick walked around the table. She moved farther into the room and continued her speech. “I’ve watched this man walk out of my life twice. The first time, I missed his friendship. The way he made me smile. The second time, I missed him. The way he made me feel. Made me love.”
She turned and faced him, and Rick could feel his stomach start to tumble. He looked around the room and found his mom watching him, smiling through her tears. He turned back to Elizabeth.
“Rick...” She got down on one knee and looked up at him. Gasps sprung up around the room. He shook his head and approached Elizabeth. Tried to get her to stand. When she didn’t, he knelt beside her. She looked into his eyes. “I’ve loved you since the first time you called me Lizzie. You looked past the Elizabeth who could bark orders and make things happen and saw the Lizzie who could be vulnerable and was looking for a man like you to love her.”
Rick reached out and moved a wayward wisp of hair off her forehead. “Lizzie...”
“Because that’s who I am.” She leaned forward and touched her forehead to his. “I’m your Lizzie. Forever. And I want to make my home in your heart.”
Rick swallowed around the lump in his throat and pulled her into his arms. Kissed her bare shoulder.
“But before I do, I need to ask you a question.” She cleared her throat. “Rick, will you marry me?”
It was as if the entire room leaned forward, waiting for his answer. He hated to disappoint her. He peered into her eyes and warmed at the love shining out of them. But he shook his head. “I can’t.”
She frowned and tears glistened in her eyes. He brushed his fingertips over her cheek. “Not until I can find you the perfect ring.”
Lizzie smiled through tears. “I don’t need the perfect ring. Just you.”
Rick leaned forward and kissed her soundly amid the applause.
He’d gone on the show to find true love, twice. This time, he was going to hold on to Lizzie forever.
His heart had found a home in hers.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781460317471
Copyright © 2013 by Cynthia Powell
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