by Gina Leuci
“Then Penny wanted to go home, and when Roger tried to coerce her into staying, a few other people began to see the hold he and the council had on everyone. Roger was ousted from his position. Security measures were lowered, and more people are venturing outside the town’s limits.”
“What about the bracelets?” Part of me wanted to check his wrist to see if his was still in place, but that would mean moving from his embrace.
“Still wearing. Remember, it’s how everyone pays. Tracking is still in place, too. People feel secure with it, especially as they venture away from town. Things aren’t going to change overnight, but at least they are making some progress.”
“I’m glad. And it gave you the opportunity to come to me.” I stared up and wanted to drown in his sea-blue eyes. “I’ve missed you. All of you.”
Caleb’s lips captured mine in another quick kiss. I understood. We’d been separated for almost five months. We had a lot of time to catch up on.
He stared down at me, as though he were taking everything in. He brushed a hand down my cheek then it moved down to tap the locket at my neck. Then he took my left hand in his, bringing it up. Checking. I still wore his ring and relief crossed his strong features.
“I thought for sure Jake would have swooped in.”
I squeezed his hand. “He’s a friend. A good one. But that’s all.”
Caleb nodded. “When his divorce papers arrived, it was the talk of the town.”
He turned his eyes away for a moment and I knew what he was going to say. “You were waiting for your own set to arrive?” At his nod I continued, “I won’t lie to you. Jake has asked me, more than once, to marry him.” I pulled away to pace, nervous. “And the thought of raising this child alone, well, it scares me. But—”
Caleb went to speak, but I held up my finger. “But, what we had in Wellington,” he continued to wait, silent, and I struggled, as usual. “What we had was a bit unorthodox, but it turned into something—more. Something—”
When Caleb raised his eyebrow, I knew he wasn’t going to help. He’d declared his love for me when I left. It was my turn. Instead I returned to my task of wrapping utensils in napkins as I changed the subject.
“I kept the drawings the kids made me on my mirror in my dorm. They’re in a folder in my backpack now.”
“You went back to school? I’m glad.” I knew he smiled by his tone.
“Would you believe I haven’t had a single cup of coffee since coming home?”
“No?” He chuckled, and the sound sent warmth and comfort through to my heart. “Good girl.” There was a slight hesitation, and then his voice went low. He was beside me again in two strides and once again his hand went to my abdomen. “Especially now.”
I’d had people put their hands on my baby belly before, but it had never felt so intimate. This was Caleb.
“How are you feeling? Do you have morning sickness? Is the baby healthy?”
I placed my hand over his and pulled back to look at him. His expression said so much. To think at one time, I thought he was nothing more than an emotional drone. A stone wall. I’d been so wrong.
“We’re fine, Caleb,” I reassured. “I had a little nausea at the beginning, but not bad, but mostly this child doesn’t like to sleep at night, so my body clock is all out of whack.”
“Jill had the same problem with Justin. Maybe you’re having a boy?”
I grinned. “Who knows? But maybe we can find out together. I have an appointment next Wednesday for an ultrasound.” I held my breath. He hadn’t mentioned how long he was staying. Christmas was three days away. I didn’t think he’d be leaving before the holiday, but what about after? He said people were venturing outside Wellington, but the trackers were still in use. I looked down at his arm, but his jacket hid his wrist. Did he still wear the bracelet? Did he still feel Wellington was the safest place to raise his family?
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” His answer gave me some hope a moment before he gave me yet another deep kiss searing me all the way down to my toes. Memories swamped me of kisses and where they all eventually led us.
I moaned when he pulled away. “Oh, dear heavens, I forgot how easy we fit together.”
“I know how you feel,” was his answering groan. “However, we probably need to rescue your parents from my children.”
“Mmm hmm. They do have a restaurant to run.” I agreed. “Where are you staying? Did you just arrive?”
“No, we got in late last night,” he said. “As much as I wanted to come straight here, the kids needed sleep. It’s a long drive from Pennsylvania.”
I turned to lead him to the kitchen. “Are you at one of the hotels on Main Street?”
“No,” he again reached for my hand and ran a finger along the wedding band, stopping me from leaving the main restaurant. “I hope you don’t mind, but I went under the assumption—as I never received divorce papers—that you and me—” It was my turn to raise my eyebrows as Caleb struggled for words, something new.
“That we would want a bit of privacy. I rented a house on the outskirts of town. Would I be wrong in assuming my wife would join us?”
Wife. Oh, how that word sounded so right. My heart did a somersault. And a house rental? That had to mean he was staying. “No, you’re not wrong. It won’t take long for me to pack.”
On Christmas morning, we headed back to my parents’ home where we had a huge breakfast before opening gifts. In three days, my mom had managed to leave the restaurant long enough to shop for her brood of new grandchildren. I’d actually left Caleb’s side long enough to do the same, but it wasn’t the store-bought gift that I was anxious for him to see.
He unwrapped the box I gave him and pulled out a purple journal. When he opened the first page I saw his eyes widen. “Grace? What is this?”
“I wrote to you every day.”
August 10th.
Dear Caleb: As I ride the bus home to Vermont, I have a lot of time to think. You told me you love me. You said it more than once, but I am a selfish woman. I couldn’t say the words. Not because I didn’t want to, but because if I did, then I knew in my heart that I would stay in Wellington with you. You know why I need to leave and you did so much to make sure I got home. I wish I could tell you how difficult this really is for me, knowing I will most likely never see you again.
I love you, Caleb. While I was attracted to you very early in the summer, I’m not sure when, but I did fall in love with you. Behind your rough and stern exterior, underneath that calm façade, you are a warm, loving man, loyal to your family and determined to do what is right, no matter the consequence. How could I not fall for a man with such depth?
You once told me that the ring on my finger was a promise that you would help get me home. As always, you kept your promise, but please know this ring means so much more. It is a reminder of the moments we shared together. Our memories. With this ring, I now promise that you are my husband forever. I will write in this journal to share my every day with you even though we are apart. I love you, Caleb.
He lifted tear-filled eyes to me, and I moved from my seat to sit on his lap. “I do, you know,” I admitted as I gave him a chaste kiss. The kids were now playing with their toys, and my sister and parents kept them occupied.
“Say the words, Grace. I want to hear them.”
I laughed at the insistence in his tone. “I love you, Caleb. I was too afraid to say the words before. I love you. Thank you for coming for me.”
“Good.” He lifted me from his lap and placed me in the seat he’d occupied. “Now it’s my turn to give you a present.
He handed me a little box, and I slowly unwrapped it. Inside was a custom-made ring with tiny diamonds in the shape of a half-moon.
“Oh, my goodness.” I gasped as Caleb got down on one knee.
“You once told me that your moods wax and wane like the moon. Do you remember what I told you?”
I nodded. “Something about poets write more about the moon th
an the sun?”
“Yes, and that the moon is a powerful entity. Much like its effect on the tides, you have cast a spell on me. When you left, it was as though the night was less bright; the stars didn’t shine as bright.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger, sliding it against the gold band that never left my hand. “Marry me, again, Grace,” he asked. “This time, with your family around us. This time, with their blessing. This time, because you want to be married to me.”
I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I’m crying again, damn it. See what you do to me?”
“We’ll blame it on the hormones.” He grinned. “I’m still waiting.”
I giggled. “Yes, yes, yes. I will marry you again, and again, and again.”
A word about the author…
Gina Leuci started reading romance at the age of thirteen and never stopped. She met her soul mate on a blind date and married him—not once, but twice: they eloped then had a church wedding giving them two anniversaries. They live in Southern New Hampshire with their son, who makes them laugh every day, and two dogs who vie for control as queen of the residence.
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Caged Souls
by Gina Leuci
Spending her summer break from college in the small town of Wellington is not Grace Adams' first choice for excitement. But when her friend falls for the program's recruiter she decides to tag along. The moment Wellington’s gates lock behind them, she realizes things are not what they seem. She knows she is in trouble when the sexy chief of police is put in charge of preventing her escape.
Caleb Wellington is charged with keeping Grace in line after she runs afoul of the town council and local bullies. He finds himself drawn to her, despite her tendency to challenge the rules, her constant questions, and demands for answers. After all the town needs her…doesn’t it?
With time running out and her future at risk, Caleb must make a choice between his town and saving Grace.
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