Love Everlastin' Book 3

by Mickee Madden

  "I've decided to return to work soon," he said matter-of-factly, staring down at her bent head. "It'll mean I'll be traveling at times, and no' always home wi' ma wife. I'm a difficult enough mon to love, and ma work won't make it any easier. Tracking serial killers tends to darken ma mood. I usually suffer aftermath depressions when I've been in the field, and I'm no' fit to be around anyone. Hopefully, knowing I have a loving, caring wife waiting for me will alter tha' cycle."

  He released a gush of breath and went on, "I guess I'm telling you this because I don't want you to commit to marriage withou' knowing wha' to expect given the worst case scenario. I'm thirty-six years old and I've gone this long withou' a social life, no' to mention one o' anything remotely intimate. When I marry, it'll be for life. She has to be very sure I'm wha' she wants. Tha' I'm worth the trouble to love on a long term basis. I can be a brooding, chauvinistic, miserable, intense jerk at times, and tend to isolate maself when I've a lot on ma mind. I'm no' good at voicing ma feelings because, quite frankly, I didn't know I had any until recently.

  "All in all, I can't think o' a good reason why any womon would tolerate someone like me, let alone commit to marriage. But I won't settle for anything less."

  Nervous because she refused to look at him, and wound up because the more he talked, the more he realized what a pathetic prize he was for any woman, he forged on.

  "I expect the womon I marry to remain at home. It’s a mon's place to provide, and tha' I can. I speak ma mind and don't have the temperament to put up wi' a quarrelsome womon, so in tha', I expect her to obey ma wishes. I like properly cooked food and prefer to read the news in solitude. And I believe a mon should be privy to make love to his wife anywhere and anytime the mood strikes him."

  Winston bobbed his head in closure and abruptly headed for the door. He opened it and looked back at her. She hadn't moved, and her hair curtained her profile.

  "Deliah, if your door is locked when I return, I'll have your answer. If it isn't, I'll warn you now, there will be no turning back."

  For what seemed a long time after he had closed the door behind him, Deliah remained motionless. His every word echoed hollowly through her mind, confusing her all the more as seconds became minutes.

  She hadn't slept all night and told herself she was so muddled because of that. But then it dawned on her that everything he'd said hadn't made sense, because....

  Lifting and turning her face toward the window, she closed her eyes as a breeze caressed her skin. She forced herself to clear her mind and breathe in deeply, as if to cleanse herself completely of the darker emotions she had experienced since her escape from the root. When she was calm and in control, she thought back on every conversation she'd had with Winston. He had always perplexed her, even long ago when he was a boy, and she had encountered his mind in the fourth dimension. She hadn't known then that he would one day come to Baird House. That he would one day free her. That he would one day bring into her life equal portions of happiness and sorrow, pleasure and pain.

  When she recalled his speech of minutes ago, she found herself again bewildered. Why would he speak of what he expected of a wife, to her? Hadn't she promised him she would never prevent him from finding the woman who would give him the love and family he deserved? Hadn't she only asked that she be allowed to love him, be his lover, until the time came when he had to leave her?

  Getting to her feet, she walked around the room, her thoughts far removed from her actions, from her location. After a time, she stared at the crystal doorknob, frowning.

  Why would she lock the door? Even if she did, what possible answer could that signify?

  "All in all, I can't think o' a good reason why any womon would tolerate someone like me, let alone commit to marriage."

  "Weel," she huffed, her hands on her hips, "how did you expect me to respond, when I be no' a womon, but a female fay. Damn ye, Winston Ian Connery, wha' were ye tryin’ to tell me? Tha' ye already found a womon ye want to marry? When, pray tell? Between the time ye kissed me in the kitchen and ye kissed me here?

  "Och, you pestin’ mon! Why do I let ye confuse me like this?"

  "I speak ma mind and don't have the temperament to put up wi' a quarrelsome womon."

  "Ha! A quarrelsome womon be exactly wha' ye need! And privy to make love anywhere and at any time a mon's right, is it?" She shook furiously, her graceful hands balled at her sides. "Weel, twould be a kindness were men designed to make love durin’ the tides o' a womon's needs. Twould have been mair'n once ye would have been in ma bed, I guarantee!"

  She walked to the foot of the bed and gripped the decorative molding along its surface. "Deliah, ye were better off afore ye left the root. Time to stop thinkin’ wi' yer heart!"

  A mischievous grin turned up the corners of her mouth and she arched an eyebrow. "Ye worry abou' chafin’ ma face, but no' ma heart. Winston, ye have ma ire up and I dinna like the direction o' ma thoughts, for I can see ye as a nubby toad upon ma palm, croakin’ yer croaks and puffin’ up yer wee chest. And would I be cruel enough, Winston Ian Connery, to lay ye upon one o' these fine pillows and make ye listen to me nag ye from dusk till dawn? Aye. I think I could."

  She folded her arms against her middle and grinned scoffingly. "Better yet, why no' three toads upon ma pillow?"

  Her anger deflated so unexpectedly, tears welled up in her eyes and her chin quivered.

  "Damn ye, Winston. I wish—"

  At the sound of the door opening, she spun around. At the same instant she saw Winston at the threshold, her world went topsy-turvy. For a terrifying moment, she felt herself falling...then clinging to solidity as the whirling inside her head waned.

  "What's wrong, Deliah?" she heard Winston ask, the concern in his tone resparking her anger. "Are you dizzy? Do you need to lie down?"

  A fey tingling sensation swept through her but she nonetheless found the strength to push him back and walk several paces in the direction of the windows. She felt oddly numb and disoriented, but her anger gave her roots by which to anchor and stabilize herself.

  "Deliah?"

  Turning with controlled slowness, she fought to present a calm facade, but knew by his probing gaze that he suspected she was upset.

  "The door was unlocked."

  She thought the statement as confusing as everything else about the man, and said irritably, "So?"

  He frowned. "Do you want me to leave?"

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to run before she did turn him into a nubby toad, but she looked him over and found herself quieting again. He was barefoot. Beltless dark slacks. A white shirt, of which the cuffs were unbuttoned and the front left open, revealing his muscular chest and midsection. He was clean shaven, his wet hair combed back, and his eyes greener than usual.

  Deliah's mouth went dry as longing stirred deep inside her, taunting her as it had so often the past weeks. She wanted to tell him off as a means of unburdening her heart, but she couldn't initiate the internal fires it would require to do it properly. Instead, she murmured, "I hope ye will be happy."

  He seemed surprised and thrust his hands in his pockets. "I hope we both are happy." He glanced at the windows. "Mind if I close them? It's chil—"

  He bit back the word when with a flick of her right hand, the windows slid shut.

  "Thank you."

  She nodded.

  Seconds of silence ticked by. Winston rocked on his feet while Deliah observed him through hooded eyes.

  "So, how am I to take this, Deliah?"

  "Take wha'?"

  "The door was unlocked, but I can't say you look too happy to see me."

  "Aye."

  A comical frown masked his face. "Aye wha'? Will you or won't you, Deliah? I realize it's wi’in your rights to make me squirm, but it's damn uncomfortable no' knowing your answer."

  "Weel, all I can say is yer wife will have her measure o' work handlin’ ye, she will. Wha' wi' ye bein’ a broodin’, chauvinistic, miserable, intense jerk at times."


  With a low, cynical laugh, Winston walked around her and stopped in front of the left window. His back to her, he said, "I guess I shouldn't begrudge you evening the score."

  "I have no score to settle, but I be o' a mind to have a few words wi' ye."

  Turning, he arched a brow and nodded that she should go on.

  "Weel," she sighed, straightening her shoulders and slightly titling up her chin, "Far be it a fay should settle for less than she deserves. Twould no' be ma nature to let any mon dictate when I should feel the need to make love, and when to and no' to speak ma mind. Furthermair, a fair provider would hire a cook to compensate for his cherished wife's lack thereo', and such provider would never sit alone readin’ a musty paper while his wife be somewhere else, missin’ him."

  With an airy shrug, Winston said, "All doable."

  "Do-a-ble?"

  He nodded. "Go on."

  She thought his mood very strange and wished she understood what it was he expected from her. "I ask ye, Winston, do ye love this wife to be?"

  Without hesitation, he replied, "More than I believed I could ever love anyone."

  Deliah painfully swallowed and lowered her gaze. "Then I beg ye be kind to her."

  When silence followed, she looked up to find him frowning at her. Then his expression cleared and his bearing took on an air of haughtiness that further bewildered her.

  "Kind?" He closed the distance between them and removed his hands from his pockets. "Kinder than I've been to you?"

  Her head jerked back and she gasped, "I pray so!"

  To her surprise, he laughed as his bright eyes scanned her face. "You know, Deliah, when I left this room a while ago, I promised maself I wouldn't scan you for your answer. And I didn't. And I wouldn't have now if you weren't acting so peculiar."

  "Tis be a fay thing, this peculiar," she said airily, although unease twittered in the pit of her stomach.

  "Have you any idea why I'm here?" he asked teasingly.

  "Ta torment me, no doubt."

  "You're going to make me do it, aren't you?"

  Weary and frustrated, she asked, "Do wha'?"

  Walking back to her, he lowered himself to one knee. "Get down on a knee." He took her left hand and kissed the ring finger. "Take yer hand and asked for it in marriage."

  Deliah blinked down at him. "Ma hand?"

  "I would prefer all o' you."

  "Me?"

  "Will you marry me?"

  "Me?" she croaked, trying to retain her reasoning despite the buzzing in her head.

  "Who did you think I was talking abou'?"

  "No'...me."

  His arms went around her thighs and he lifted her as he stood. Then he loosened his hold just enough to let her slide against him until her feet were again on the floor. Heat washed through Deliah and she found herself breathlessly staring into a face glowing with love and such devotion, she wondered if he had somehow cast a spell on her.

  Laughingly, he chided, "You remembered 'brooding, chauvinistic, miserable, intense jerk at times', but no' when I said I didn't want you to commit to marriage wi’ou' knowing wha' to expect when I'm at ma worst?"

  She thought this over and blushed. "The worst case scenario. Aye. I do now."

  "And?"

  "Winston, I canna give ye children, and I canna cook!"

  His kissed one corner of her mouth. "You are all the family I need. As for cooking." He released a laugh and gave her an affectionate squeeze. "Like you said, we can always hire someone." He took in a deep breath and released it slowly while he soberly caressed her face with his gaze. When he spoke again, his words were deep and husky, quivering with emotion. "I've been such a fool, Deliah. I vow, if you marry me, I'll do everything I can to make you happy."

  Tears of joy spilled down Deliah's radiant face. "Lovin’ me is enough." She reached up and framed his face with her trembling hands. "Ye be ma lover, ma hopes, ma dreams, and ma life, Winston Ian Connery. I vow to serve ye proper wi' ma heart, ma mind, and ma spirit."

  Now tears formed in his eyes and a tremulous smile quirked on his lips. "Are you saying yes, Deliah?"

  "O' course, ma dour Scotsmon. I will marry ye."

  Winston wound his arms tighter about her and nuzzled the left side of his face to hers. Deliah wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him, glorying in the feel of his hard body molded against her. Their hearts beat as one in a symphony of profound love and joy.

  "God, how I love you!" he gasped, then laughed a bit unsteadily, drew back and looked deeply into her eyes. "How anything so..." He brushed the back of a hand down her cheek and hitched a breath. "...perfect could want me!"

  "Want?" she countered softly. "Winston, ye be ma sun and moon, ma breath and ma pulse. Wantin’ be no' the measure but the necessity. Wi’ou' love, life be but fallow land, existin’ yet uncultivated. Wi’ou' ye, ma heart would be barren and have no hope o' nurturin’ ma spirit. Want ye, Winston? I need ye!"

  Winston kissed her then, passionately, deeply. Deliah didn't need to unfurl her wings for she soared on wings of love, within an infinite blueness of happiness. Whatever life brought them now, she knew they would face it together. Darkness would never again find a place to hide, and sorrow would never touch them long enough to even blemish their lives.

  By the time Winston ended the kiss, Deliah was deliriously content. She dreamily peered into his handsome face and mutely thanked the fates for delivering her into his arms.

  "Winston, make love to me."

  "Wouldn't you rather wait until we're officially Mr. and Mrs. Winston Ian Connery?"

  Although his tone was almost playful, she detected a serious note as well. She studied his features for a few seconds more. When she spoke, her words were but a whisper. "Our spirits were wed when first ye kissed me. Wait, ye ask?" She smiled impishly then nipped his chin. "On ma word, Winston, I'll perish from achin’ if ye dinna join wi' me now."

  In response, Winston lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed, where he stood for a time staring into her face as if incredulous he'd truly been granted fortune's favor.

  "You have no doubts?"

  Deliah laughed. "Och, ye be a pestin’ mon, ma Winston!"

  Smiling from the depths of his enlightened soul, he lowered her to the bed.

  THE END

  Mickee’s titles available in e-books

  * * *

  Midnight Sun — Science Fiction

  Katiah Trilogy:

  One Bright Star — Science Fiction Romance

  Written In The Stars — Science Fiction Romance

  Nova — Science Fiction Romance

  Haunting Rose — Historical Time-Travel Romance

  Everlasting Book 1 — Supernatural Romance

  Dawns Everlasting Book 2 (formerly Dusk Before Dawn) — Supernatural Romance

  Love Everlasting Book 3 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance

  * * *

  Coming soon:

  * * *

  Hope Everlasting Book 4 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance

  Time Everlasting Book 5 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance

  Dreams Everlasting Book 6 — Supernatural/Fantasy

  Table of Contents

  C hapter 1

  Chapter 2

  C hapter 3

  C hapter 4

  C hapter 5

  C hapter 6

  C hapter 7

  C hapter 8

  C hapter 9

  C hapter 10

  C hapter 11

  C hapter 12

  C hapter 13

  C hapter 14

  C hapter 15

  C hapter 16

 

 

 
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