“You were right, you know.”
His voice is smooth. Unassuming. Confident. “I was?”
He sits straighter in the seat, his head almost touching the top of the limo. His fingertips steeple together, tapping each other. “You were. I was hanging onto something that I had envisioned for so long that I couldn’t believe not only that it was over, but that it had never really existed to begin with.”
“Court, I’m sorry—”
He holds his hand up. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry it took me so long to see what I had right in front of me. I couldn’t see past that tangled mess the girls’ hair had become, just like my life, and then when it was gone, I was scared.”
“Scared?”
“Everything had changed. For the better, I know, but I was still afraid to take a chance on you and me. Still afraid to believe in someone, not something.”
Was still afraid. Was? In the past? “And now?”
“Now I see what I let walk out of my door. I should have known that morning when you were gone and I was devastated that I needed to call you, see you, explain. But no. I was going to let you leave if that’s what you wanted.”
A heaviness settles on my heart as I hear his confession. His explanation at letting me go. I guess he came to ease his conscious. “I’m glad you’ve figured some things out. Maybe you can move forward now. With life.”
I want to say with love, but since that won’t be with me I’m not encouraging that direction. There’s only so much a girl can take.
“Have you fallen out of love with me?”
My face flushes while I try to keep my breathing at a steady pace. Would he ask if he didn’t care? Would he ask if he didn’t want to know the truth?
He’s lived for a while avoiding the truth.
He can’t avoid it forever.
Only the truth is good enough for a moment like this. “There’s not enough depth in the world for me to fall that far.”
His Adam apple swallows like he’s fighting emotion.
Within moments he’s next to me. His gaze locks onto mine, and I can’t look away.
I don’t want to look away.
My fingers brush the soft, dark hair at his temple, the need to make sure he’s real overwhelming me.
I wonder at the absurdity of it all. The slow torture I’m putting myself through. Seeing him again is like nothing I expected. Aloof and simply friendship can never be in our picture.
It’s either all or nothing for me.
I pray he knows this.
“Shelby, I love you. I have no idea of what lies ahead, but I can promise you one thing. For the first time I have faith that this is right. Faith that you’ll be mine forever. Come back to Florida. Will you?”
My eyes moisten, and I don’t care if he sees my tears. “Yes. And I am yours forever.”
His arms wrap around me and his lips descend on mine, reminding me of one of the reasons I love him so.
His kiss also brings me to a place that’s so much like home. Where I know I belong.
And that place has nothing to do with limos and luxury.
It has everything to do with faith and the heart.
My heart, his heart.
Together forever.
“I love you so much,” I say between kisses.
The door to the limo opens, bringing in a blast of hot, Georgia air.
Court and I can’t untangle ourselves quickly enough to keep Team Twin from witnessing our kissing festival.
“Shelby!” Bristol climbs into the limo, Darling right behind her, and they scramble to the seat Court vacated.
A circle of completeness surrounds the atmosphere. Court’s arm is still touching mine, and two beautiful girls with amazingly cute hair are staring at me.
“Where did you come from?” I ask, hoping to deter any questions about why I am sitting so close to their father.
“When it became apparent you were going to be awhile, I let them go and play with the kids.” He turns his attention to the girls. “Did you guys have fun?”
“We did.” Bristol now eyes him with suspicion. “Why were you kissing Shelby?”
“Why do you think?” Court asks.
“Because you’re getting married?” Darling asks.
“Wow,” I say. “I think that’s jumping the gun a little.”
“I think it’s a perfect idea.” Court grabs my left hand. “Yes, a nice shiny diamond will look great right there.” He points to my ring finger.
I look at the man I love, then turn my attention to the girls that have given me a lot of grief, but also a lot of joy. The joy is worth it.
Turning back to Court I ask, “Have I just become engaged?”
He rubs my ring finger with his thumb. “You have. Ring to follow. Big ring.”
Sitting in a limo in the trailer park of my parents’ home is the last place I ever pictured becoming engaged. Yes, I am on the outskirts of nowhere important, but somebody important has my heart in his. “I don’t need a big ring. I need you.”
He brushes a kiss across my ring finger. “You have me. Forever, remember?”
“I remember.” I hug Court, my head resting on his shoulder, my gaze drifting out of the door Team Twin left open. My parents’ home is in full view.
Yes, home.
With Court’s help I finally see how rich my parents have always been.
And now I can be just as rich in my own life.
Standing in faith.
With the man I love.
The End!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Shelby is ashamed of her childhood. Have you ever felt that way? If so, why?
Shelby has an unrealistic view of what the word successful means. How do you define success? Would you be willing to act like someone you aren’t to give the impression you are successful?
Bristol and Darling prove to be a handful for Shelby. Have you ever had a job that you were unprepared for?
Shelby took a job in another state trying to distance herself from her former fiancé. Have you ever tried to physically distance yourself from a bad situation?
Do you think Court was hiding behind his work because of MaryLeigh’s death or deception?
Even though Court denies he has faith in anything, he shows a lot of faith in his best friend, Jared, for a long time. Have you ever stood by someone even though they may have not done the right things all the time?
Have you ever surprised someone like Shelby was able to surprise her father? How did that person react?
How long would you have let Bristol and Darling go without brushing their hair?
Did you like Jared? Why or why not?
What was your favorite scene and why?
Rich in Faith (Richness in Faith, Book 3) Page 22