His question stole my breath, making my heart leap for joy. My savior had shocked me in more ways than I could count. He didn’t need to say the words. His earlier act of self sacrifice screamed “I love you.” I stole a glance down at the green, sapphire ring, my heart fluttering, his lips brushing mine.
“Yes.” I whispered, nodding at the same time. “I’d love to marry you.”
Ivan took my hand into his palm and slipped the ring onto my finger as my heart went into a flurry of wild beats. I reached up and cupped his cheek, just before he curved his arm around my waist. Our kiss was filled with all the love and affection we had for each other. I trailed my fingers across his cheek, feeling like I was being taken into a world where he and I lived for one another. It was the world we had created on the night we had first kissed, and I couldn’t wait to keep building it with him. I planted a short kiss on his chin and circled my arm around his neck, holding him close.
“God, I love you so much.” I whispered, tears of joy rising up in my eyes. This time, he kept his silence. He didn’t have to part his lips, though. My Ivan had said enough. His actions had done the talking for him. Time would tell if he continued to do so, but for me, there was no doubt whatsoever. He had been a wonderful, caring man all his life. That’s why I had fallen in love with him. It wasn’t his looks. It wasn’t his money, but his big, kind heart…
Epilogue
One Year Later
Scarlet
Ivan and I got married in Adams in January. Amazingly enough, he invited almost half the town. I didn’t mind; I was going to spend my life with the man of my dreams. He could invite the whole town for all I cared.
The locals’ attitude changed dramatically after our wedding, proving to me that I had been right all along. They respected him. No one would dare mess with his dear wife in any way.
Our son was born that summer. And joy of joys, he looked a lot like Ivan. We named him Darren, after my late father. He had his hair and his eyes, that gorgeous, rare shade of green that rocked my world last November. I was sure my little boy was going to conquer quite a few hearts growing up, just like his father had conquered mine.
On that cold, early-December morning, I and Ivan decorated our Christmas tree, while little Darren was playing with his blue rattler in his stroller. Right after we were done, my husband left, maintaining something urgent had come up. When he returned with a brown box from the local pastry shop though, his little lie put a big smile on my face. He strolled into the living room, holding a chocolate cake with a white candle in the middle.
“What’s the occasion?” I asked, pretending not to know.
“It’s been a year to the day since you convinced me to decorate a Christmas tree.” He remarked. “It may sound a little weird, but that day, I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. Make a wish.”
“Okay.” I chirped, closing my eyes.
“Three, two, one…” We blew the candle out together at the end of the countdown.
“I love you, Scarlet.” He uttered, laying a tender kiss on my lips.
“I love you, too.” I declared with a smile. “You know, I have a little surprise for you, too. It’s over there.” I told him, tossing a quick glance over at the living room table.
“What is it?” Ivan asked. Still, I wasn’t going to answer. The pink box and the positive pregnancy on top of it did all the talking for me.
“Yes!” Ivan cheered, lifting his fists up in the air as he turned to face me. “Oh, I can’t believe this.” He went on, rushing off towards me. Once again, I got lost in his huge embrace, a blissful smile spreading across my face.
“I don’t need to confirm it this time.” I purred, resting my head on his chest. “I’m almost three weeks late. I was just waiting for today to take the test.”
“Now we have another reason to celebrate today.” He announced, kissing me on the top of my head.
Yes, we did. We had many reasons to celebrate December the 3rd, as well as every day of our life together. We were both lost when we found each other. Ivan was still mourning, and I was trying to hide from the sins of my past. But that didn’t stop us from finding love in each other. And I was going to do everything I could to keep that love alive. I was going to be the loyal wife my knight in shining armor deserved. Because that’s what he was. My prince. My husband. The father of my children. My other half…
About the Author
Henley Maverick lives in Northern California and when she’s not writing, she’s reading, shoe shopping, or at the beach. Feel free to reach out to her at [email protected]
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Trapped with the Mountain Man Page 10