by Cindy Kirk
Amusement mixed with the tenderness on David’s face. He took her hand, caressing the palm with his thumb. “Hadley Newhouse, I believe we were destined to find each other when the time was right. In addition to being the love of my life, you’re my closest friend. With you, I can be myself. You bring out the best in me.”
The impact of David’s heartfelt words washed over Hadley.
This man knew her.
This man loved her.
Her heart leaped to her throat when he dropped to one knee and pulled a ring from his pocket. The emerald-cut diamond in an ornate platinum setting flashed fire.
“I want you to marry me, Hadley. I want us to build a life together. You, me, Brynn and any other children we might have. If there are hard times, we’ll get through them. I firmly believe there isn’t anything you and I can’t face as long as we’re together.”
Love swirled, filling her to bursting, while blood flowed like warm honey through her veins.
David shot her a questioning glance as he continued to hold the ring between his thumb and forefinger. “Want to try it on? You don’t need to give me an answer right away, if you’re not sure.”
She extended her left hand. As he slid the sparkling diamond on her finger, she remembered him telling her once that Whitney preferred to buy her own gifts, because none of his was ever exactly right.
Hadley gazed at the ring, then back into the face of the man who was the right one for her. “I don’t need to take time to consider. It’s absolutely perfect. You’re absolutely perfect for me. You are the man I love, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Only you. Now and forever. So, yes to everything you asked, and more.”
With a whoop of delight, David sprang to his feet and gathered her close. He covered her lips with his in a sweet kiss of promise. “I’m going to make you so happy.”
She planted a kiss at the base of his neck. “If I was any happier, I’d explode.”
He chuckled, a low pleasant rumbling sound. Gently tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, he murmured, “Tonight, after Brynn is in bed, we’ll celebrate. Just the two of us.”
Anticipation skittered up her spine. Winding her arms around his neck, Hadley kissed him softly on the mouth. Off to her right, a bird landed on the rail.
As if reluctant to give up the intimacy once the kiss ended, David moved his arm so her hand slid down to his. He gently locked their fingers together.
“Do you think Brynn will be surprised?”
He flashed a grin. “Not a chance.”
Still holding David’s hand, Hadley moved to the rail. She expected the bird to fly off, but the grosbeak simply cocked its head and watched her through sharp brown eyes.
Gazing over the rail, Hadley took in the beauty that was Door County. Fall colors were expected to peak early this year, and already, the trees were turning shades of rust, yellow and orange.
This was home.
A lump formed in her throat. Tears sprang to her eyes.
David frowned and tugged her close. He wiped the tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “What’s wrong?”
Hadley gave a little laugh, feeling foolish. “I’m just happy. So very happy.”
David stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His breath was a soft caress on her neck.
As she reveled in the love of a man who knew all her secrets, the bird with the black head and bright red breast spread its wings and soared off.
David’s mouth moved up her neck, scattering kisses and making her shiver.
“No more cages,” she murmured.
He lifted his lips. “Did you say something, my darling fiancée?”
Hadley turned and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. “Kiss me again, then let’s go home and tell our daughter the good news.”
Acknowledgments
To counselor Peter Allman, a fabulous sounding board for my character’s psychological concerns.
About the Author
Cindy Kirk started writing after taking a class at a local community college. But her interest in words began years earlier, when she was in her teens. At sixteen she wrote in her diary: “I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t be a writer: After her daughter went to college, she returned to her passion and jumped straight into composing book-length fiction. She loves reading and writing romance novels because she believes in the undeniable power of love and in the promise of the happily ever after. An incurable romantic and an eternal optimist, Kirk creates characters who grow and learn from their mistakes while achieving happy endings in the process. She lives in Nebraska with her high-school-sweetheart husband.
Also by Cindy Kirk
Christmas in Good Hope
Summer in Good Hope
Be Mine in Good Hope
Forever in Good Hope
Say I Do in Good Hope