Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Not that I would. He made me too happy.
Laura picked me up since John told me he was really busy with some farm work that afternoon. Abby had a playdate with Bethy, which gave me the time to go and see the venue.
“If you like it, I’ll come with you next week,” he assured me.
We pulled up to a nice homestead, the lawn green and the flowers swaying in the breeze. Laura followed the driveway around back and parked in the large lot, pointing at a small building. “That’s it. It’s called Shades of Light.”
“How did you find out about it?”
“It’s my client’s. She is getting ready to open it, and she agreed to let you see it and use it as a practice run if you want it.”
Her phone rang, and she looked at the screen. “I have to take this. Go in and see what you think.”
I approached the building, taking in the old wood, the charming elements of the flowers and shrubs, the small rock fountains bubbling away in the sun, and the soaring pitch to the roof. Inside, I stood in awe. The ceiling was all glass, as was the back wall that looked out onto a wooded area. There were fairy lights everywhere. Beams and huge wooden pillars that soared twenty feet in the air. More flowers and decorations. The room was set up with tables and would easily hold sixty people or more, depending on how it was arranged. I could already see it at night with candles flickering, the stars overhead, and music playing. Laura had told me there was another building that housed a kitchen for catering and a space for the wedding parties to prepare in. I walked to the back, staring at the trees. I could see they, too, were strung with lights, and I could only imagine them at night.
The building was beyond pretty, and suddenly, I desperately wanted to marry John here. I knew he’d love it as well.
I heard the door open behind me and footsteps.
“I wish John could see this,” I said.
“Well then, darlin’, you got your wish.”
I spun with a gasp. Behind me stood John, holding Abby, who was beaming. She clutched flowers in her arms. “Hi, Momma.”
I had to swallow before speaking. “Hi, baby.” I walked toward them. “What are you doing here?”
John nudged Abby with a wink. “Being romantic.”
She giggled and extended the flowers my way. I took them, kissing her cheek, then rising on my toes to kiss John.
He smiled. “Beautiful.”
“It is.”
“I meant you.”
“Oh.”
He pulled out a chair, indicating I should sit. Once I did, he set Abby on my knee.
“I like this place.”
“I think it would be magical at night.”
He nodded, then dropped to a knee in front of me. “Let’s add a little day magic, okay?”
“John,” I whispered, feeling breathless. “What are you—”
“Shh, Momma. He needs to talk,” Abby said, tapping her lips.
I nodded, the tears already forming in my eyes even as I grinned at her bossiness.
“I’m not good at romantic gestures, Quinn, but I’d like to spend the rest of my life getting better at them. With you.”
He took in a deep breath. “You agreed to marry me as part of a demand, and I think your life has had too many demands already. I want it to be because you want to. I want you to marry me as much as I want to marry you. We both want a simple life, but I think, together, we’ll make it extraordinary.”
He reached out and took my hand and Abby’s. “I want to marry you both. Make you my family. We can start with the three of us and build from there. Make a life together. With me, your hearts are safe. You are safe. You belong with me.”
He dug in his pocket and pulled out a flat box, handing it to Abby. She opened it and squealed at the pretty gold pumpkin with tiny emeralds for eyes. “You stole my heart with your smile, Pumpkin. Can I marry your momma and be your daddy for the rest of my life?”
She launched herself at him, hugging him hard. “Yes!”
He sat her on his knee. “Your turn, Quinn. I know you said you didn’t need a ring, but I wanted you to have one.” He indicated the bow on the flowers. “That one is very special to me. I never thought I would meet a woman amazing enough to give it to, but you have proven me wrong.”
I looked down, picking up the ribbon, where a ring sat. The wide gold band was dotted with emeralds and diamonds. Small, twinkly gems that glimmered in the light. “This belonged to my gram. My gramps gave it to me with the farm and told me one day I’d find the right person to share both with. And darlin’—that’s you.” He swallowed and paused. “Will you marry me, Quinn? Make my life complete? Let me belong to you?”