NICK SAT on the darkened deck watching as dusk turned Danielle and Sadie-alone and vulnerable out in the open-into shadows.
She sat on a bench about twenty feet away, surrounded by the newly planted gardens that were Maureens pride and joy.
He knew his cousins were just on the other side of the house, watching. Waiting. Helping keep his fiancée safe. He knew Danielle wouldnt get hurt, that this had to be done.
Logically he knew all this, but as he watched her cuddle the damn dog hed grown to love too, he couldnt help but feel it was the beginning of the end.
Soon, it would be over. Shed be safe, and on her own. And hed be on his own, too.
Good. Great. He could go home and catch up with the meaningless dates hed planned. He could have one every night if he so chose.
But there was just one he cared about right now and she
And she was watching a man approach her from the trail below.
16
HELLO, TED, Danielle said as he walked toward her.
The man shed once looked at with her heart in her eyes lifted an envelope. Your records. From Laura Lyn.
Danielles stomach clenched at yet another betrayal. I see.
I doubt it. He stopped a good five feet back from Sadie, who hadnt moved but had started a low, very unhappy growl. Gail Winters helped me out. You remember her, dont you?
Knowing, as sure as she was of her next breath, that Nick was close by and wouldnt let anything happen to either her or Sadie allowed her to speak calmly. She always did find you charming.
You used to.
Used to being the operative words here.
His eyes darkened, not with a sexual heat as Nicks did when he looked at her, but with a dangerous, edgy expression that made her thankful she wasnt really alone.
His eyes darkened, not with a sexual heat as Nicks did when he looked at her, but with a dangerous, edgy expression that made her thankful she wasnt really alone.
Odd, but being alone suddenly didnt hold the same appeal anymore. It might never again.
She was safe, even staring down Ted. She felt it to the very depth of her soul. Even more devastating, was the sudden realization that she hadnt felt safe often in her life. But whenever shed been with Nick, then and now, shed felt it. She was safe with him and had been since the beginning.
Youre looking well, Ted said silkily.
He was not. Shed always thought of the tall, lean, handsome Ted as cool, captivating and sophisticated. Now, with his wrinkled shirt, dirty pants and muddy shoes, he just seemed like a man who got ugly when he didnt get his way. Im not afraid of you, she said, and out of the corner of her eyes saw someone shift their weight on the deck.
Nick.
She knew hed back her up because he cared. Because he wanted her.
Because he loved her.
She waited for the angst over that, for the mistrust, the fearbut it didnt come. In its place was a yearning she was beginning to recognize and understand.
You should be afraid, Ted told her. Youre in some heavy legal trouble if you dont do as I want. And what I want is for you to come home. To me.
To be the trophy girlfriend.
The wife. I want Sadie, too.
It wont work, Ted. Were too different. Im not what you want. Youre not what I want. Please, let go. Just let go.
Letting go isnt an option. His eyes were a little wild, anddesperate? You and Sadie belong with me.
I wont marry you. It took every ounce of strength not to shrink away from the burst of rage in his gaze. Im not coming back. She put her hand on Sadies large head. Felt Sadie drool on her foot. Sadie isnt coming back, either. I know it was you who left the threatening e-mail. Who took all the money out of my account. Whos been spying on us. The police are interested in those things.
You stole from me.
I think theyll understand why I did when I explain it all. I should never have run, Ted. I should have faced this, and you, from the beginning.
His eyes narrowed and his mouth tightened. Signs she now recognized as his uncontrollable temper raising its ugly head. When he stepped forward, she stood, and would have moved in front of Sadie but the dog pressed in front of her instead and faced Ted with her teeth bared.
Ted glared down at her. Have you forgotten who feeds you, dog?
I do, Danielle said quietly, her hand still on Sadie. Let her go. Lets not fight over her, its not right.
Whats not right is the way youre not listening. Lets go home, he said in an abrupt change of tactic. Well talk. Work this out.
Another dog would be cheaper, Ted.
He shook his head and took another step toward her. Its not about the dog. Its about you.
I dont believe that.
Its true. Ted closed the gap between them and put a hand on her arm.
Just as Sadie put her mouth around his ankle and chomped down.
With a howl, Ted kicked out.
Danielle reacted without thinking. All she knew was that Ted had aimed toward Sadies belly, the belly that possibly held puppies. With a fierce shriek, she picked up a potted geranium, stood on the bench for leverage anddropped it on Teds head.
The pot cracked, dirt rained down and by the time Ted howled again, all her backup forces had arrived: Clint, Maureen and Nick. And all reached for Ted.
She attacked me, he yelled, shrinking back. With a plant! Shes crazy, shes going to jail, shes-
Shes this mans fiancée, Maureen said calmly, standing back while Nick easily restrained him.
Shes a thief! Shes a liar! He fought Nick. Without me shes nothing but a common slut-
A clod of dirt found its way into Teds mouth. Oops, Nick said mildly, as he held Ted down. Hate it when that happens.
Spitting dirt, Ted screamed obscenities. Everyone ignored him.
The police came.
The neighbors came.
Maureen served tea and chatted cheerfully, talking up her B &B.
Clint clapped Nick on the back. A keeper, he said, nodding toward Danielle. Welcome to the family, he said to Danielle with a kiss on the cheek.
But she started, only to have him walk away to join his sister, Maureen.
Ill tell them everything in the morning, Nick said quietly, staring down into the mug of tea Maureen had forced on him. Dont worry about it.
I do worry about it, she said, her voice trembling. Because With surprise she looked down at her hands, which were shaking. God. Im more nervous right now than I was facing Ted.
Nicks coolness vanished, and in a heartbeat he was right there, stroking her jaw, reaching for her hand, fury and worry battling for first place in his eyes but not his voice, which remained gentle. Probably delayed shock. Lets go. Im taking you inside.
No, thats not what I meant. She tried to smile. Im nervous because I want to tell youthat isI need to mention She closed her eyes, felt his hands slip around her waist and forced them open again. No more weakness. She wanted to be strong, take a stand for this. Nick, I dont want you to tell them were not a couple. That were not in a relationship.
You dont think theyll understand? Danielle, I never should have told them that lie, I-
No, you dont understand. It came to me earlier, I just had to chew on it.
Chew on what?
Dont you see? I dont want it to all be a lie. I want to be tied to you. I want to hear you tell me you love me again. I want to wear your ring, be your wife.
He went very still, then sank to a chair as if his legs would no longer hold him. Now Im shaking. He drew in a careful breath. Did you just propose to me?
Yes, she said through a lump in her throat. Yes, Im proposing. I love you, Nick Cooper. I want to be your wife, through thick and thin, through your travels and my schooling, through puppies and babies.
He opened his mouth but when nothing came out, he shut it again.
Forever, she added, thinking maybe he didnt quite understand.
He nodded. Forever.
Nick?
Im justI thought youd want to take off, that maybe wed see each other once in a while if I asked you just right. I thought-I never imagined
I was that bad? Oh, Nick. She hugged him hard. Im sorry I was so slow.
No, its okay. His eyes looked suspiciously damp in the light of the moon as he buried his face in her hair.
She squeezed him close, this big, tough, wonderful man who was all hers. I love you, Nick. I mean it.
Youd better. I love you back. God, I love you back.
So relieved she could hardly breathe, she pulled back and gave him a stupid grin. And the rest? How do you feel about the rest?
Oh yeah, I want the thick and thin, the travels and schooling, the puppies. The babies. Especially the babies. He kissed her, long and hard. I want it all. With you.
Sadie pushed between them and whined.
Danielle ran a hand over her huge head. Whats the matter?
I think shes lonely, Nick said. She needs love, too. Well have to find just the right dog, just for her.
Danielle curled her arms back around Nick, with Sadie pressed between them. Yes, she murmured, pressing her lips to his. No one should be alone. Not when they can have this. A mate for life.
A mate for life, Nick agreed and turned her toward the inn. Lets go home.
Wheres home?
Wherever you are. Youre going back to school, right?
Id like to.
Then well go to where the school is. After that He lifted a shoulder. Big city, back here, somewhere newdoesnt matter. As long as Im with you, Im open.
It just happens that so am I. She smiled. As long as Im with you.