He wasn’t sure where to start. “Melanie,” he said, reaching across the table to hold her hand. “You know I have feelings for you.” That didn’t come out the way he meant. What he really wanted to say was I love you with all my heart. Why wouldn’t his brain coordinate with his heart?
He sighed. This wasn’t going so well. And he’d only just started.
She started to pull her hand away. “I mean…” He had to find a way to resurrect this conversation.
He stretched his neck and shoulders. He was starting to feel stressed.
Jason stood and went to the DVD player, turning up the soft music a notch or two, then presenting himself to Melanie.
“May I have this dance, Mademoiselle?” He bowed in front of her and took her hand, leading her to the tiny area Lizzie had strategically arranged for that purpose.
“You know I can’t dance,” Melanie told him, giggling. It was nice to hear her happy. He loved the tinkling sound she made when she giggled.
His mouth moved into a slow smile. “Neither can I,” he said. “But who cares?”
When they arrived at their designated spot, Jason pulled her gently to him, holding one hand, and wrapping one arm around her.
It felt nice to hold her again. Even if she was stiff as a board.
He let go her hand and caressed her cheek. “Relax,” he said, and she loosened up a little.
They shuffled around the room, and he felt her go loose, until finally she let her whole body relax against his. Her head tucked into his chest, just under his chin, and he finally felt ready.
Ready to put the rest of his life in her hands.
“This is nice,” she said softly, her arms going up around his back, pulling him closer.
His hand came up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Melanie,” he said quietly, knowing he sounded nervous. “I need to tell you something.” By now his voice was breaking up. This was harder than he’d ever imagined.
She looked up at him. “Is everything alright?” Then she stopped dead. “You’re kicking us out, aren’t you?” Tears welled in her eyes.
“What? No.” This was not what he’d planned. Why would she even think that?
Tears trickled down her face, and he wiped them away with his thumb. “I’ve been so stupid,” she said, the tears continuing to flow. “Why didn’t I tell you before how much I love you? Now it’s too late.”
Jason froze. She loved him? She loved him?
What a fool he’d been. “Oh my gosh, Melanie. I brought you here tonight to tell you how much I love you.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “No you didn’t. You’re just saying that because I said it first.”
This was definitely not going to plan. He’d not even considered this scenario. Now he wasn’t sure what to do next. So he went with his gut. “You’re wrong,” he said quietly, and reached into his pocket, pulling out a tiny box. “I brought you here tonight to ask you to marry me.”
He opened the box and pulling out the precious piece, placed it on her finger. Then he dropped to one knee and held her hand. “Melanie, will you marry me?”
She stood staring down at him. Her gaze went from his eyes to the ring and back again. Time slowed down. She was going to turn him down, he was certain.
“Yes!” she finally said and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Jason stood and pulled her close. “I love you so much,” he said, then his lips covered hers, and they were lost in each other.
~~~
The little chapel sat on a hill not far outside the township of River Valley. It had been getting a good workout over the past few months.
Jason and Melanie stood out the front, holding their precious baby girl as the preacher asked each of them to repeat their wedding vows.
He still couldn’t believe Melanie had said yes. He was standing with the two most important people in his life, and it felt like a dream.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Chris and Charlotte, and of course Lizzie, along with Rory, Missy and baby Chloe, as well as the rest of the Callahan clan. Some colleagues from the Sheriff’s Office were there, Josh Wrangler, Lucas Drury, and Nate Holden, to mention just a few.
They didn’t want a big wedding but preferred something more cozy. This was a day to remember, and he only wanted his most favorite people to be there.
When the intimate ceremony was over, he turned to his beautiful bride. “I love you with all my heart, and will cherish you forever,” he said.
“I love you too,” Melanie said, then kissed him gently on the lips. They pulled Lily into a group hug, and all was right with his world.
The End
Message from the Author
Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.
I would greatly appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon, even if it is only a one-liner. It helps to have my books more visible on Amazon!
~~~
To see all the books in this series click here.
The River Valley Lawmen Series is a spin-off from the popular Callahan Brothers Series.
To Check Out the Callahan Brothers Series, Click Here.
Check out the Callahan Brothers great-great grandmother Bessie’s story:
Bessie
About the Author
Multi-published, award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.
She writes both contemporary and historical western romance, as well as romantic suspense.
She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren. When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.
Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.
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