Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Her voice trails off, and I can’t hold back any longer. “I didn’t know you were pregnant until probably thirty minutes ago. I told you that I had work to do and didn’t know how long it would take. I’ve been up for forty-eight hours.” I hold my hands up. “But that’s on me. In my line of work, I get completely focused on what I’m doing. I should have called you and checked on you.”
She is shaking her head. “I don’t mean it like that. I know you were busy, and I know that what you do is important. I was just all up in my head about it. I thought… I thought you didn’t want the baby.”
I rear back. “Didn’t want the baby? Chloe! I want this baby.”
She nods, and a single tear rolls down her cheek. “Okay. Okay, that’s good because I’m keeping her.”
“Of course you are. I never would have thought otherwise. This baby is a part of us.” I put my hand against her flat stomach. “A part of you… how could I not love him or her?”
She puts her hand over mine. “Okay. This doesn’t have to change anything. I know you have your career and it’s important to you—”
I move to sit next to her and pull her onto my lap. “What is important to me, is you.”
She leans her head against my chest. “Elias, let’s just keep things the way they are. I don’t want to pressure you into saying anything or doing anything… I don’t want you to be with me because of your sense of responsibility.”
“Chloe.”
She doesn’t let me talk, though. “No, seriously. You’re a good man, Elias, and I don’t want…”
I tilt her chin up so she has to look at me. “Listen to me, Chloe. I love you. I should have said it the other day. Hell, I should have said the words to you five years ago. I kept telling myself that I didn’t deserve you… that you needed a better man than me—”
“Quit saying that… there’s not a better man than you.”
I cup her jaw and look at her with amazement. “You truly believe that, don’t you?”
She nods. “Of course, I do.”
“Marry me, Chloe.”
She starts to shake her head, and I start to ramble. “Marry me and make me the happiest man on earth. I promise I will do everything I can to be the man you deserve.”
“Elias… this is a lot. You just found out we’re having a baby… you haven’t slept. We don’t have to rush anything.”
CHAPTER 21
CHLOE
I’m giving him an out, and God knows it’s a good one. He hasn’t slept, he’s probably delirious, and he just found out he’s going to be a father. He needs time to process everything, and then once he does, if he still wants to marry me, I’ll give him a resounding yes.
“On the way over here, I called Walker and told him that I didn’t want to travel for work anymore.” I open my mouth, and he holds a hand up. “I don’t want to ever leave you, you need to know that but I have no doubt there will be a time when I’m asked to travel for a mission. I want you to know that I won’t make the choice lightly, and if I ever do have to go on a mission out of town, I’ll talk to you first.”
My mouth drops open. “And he’s okay with it… you’re staying in Whiskey Run?”
He shakes his head to correct me. “I’m staying with you, Chloe. Wherever you are, that’s my home.” He blows out his breath as he reaches into his pocket. “Don’t freak out on me, okay?”
With my eyes wide I stare as he pulls a small box out of his pocket. He holds it between us, and he’s watching me as I stare at the thing in his hand. There’s no way that’s what I think that is. “What is that?”
He holds the box up. “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but five years ago—do you remember that night?”
I roll my eyes at him. Do I remember that night? It’s played on repeat in my head since that very day. “Yes, Elias. I remember.”
“Right. Well, I walked out of here the next day and remember, I had left my truck at the Whiskey Whistler, so I was walking through town, and I passed the jewelry store. I knew that morning that I wanted you to be my wife. I went in and bought this ring and have carried it with me ever since. You can tell me you want more time. You can tell me you’ll think about it, and that’s fine. You can tell me anything you want to tell me, but no, Chloe. I won’t accept no. I can’t. I know what my life is like without you, and it’s been hell. You’re the sweetest, most beautiful, caring, smart woman I’ve ever known and it would be my honor to call you my wife.” He slides me gently to the couch next to him, pushes the coffee table away, and then gets on one knee in front of me. “Chloe, will you please be my wife?”