Page 27 of In Love with a Ranger

“Gideon,” she interrupted once more, almost panicking. “Marriage is forever. It’s not just the urges, but the emotions, the having each other’s backs, our families,” and paused, staring at him in awareness and confusion. “What if I want children someday? Friends don’t do that.”

“Urging?” he chuckled, smiling at her.

“Yes!”

“Breathe,” he instructed softly, still smiling at her and looking much too relaxed to be having this conversation. Her face still felt like it was the surface of the sun, and her pulse was racing. “Christina, I’m asking you to marry me as a friend – and yes, marriage is forever. I don’t believe in divorce. We get along well, I respect you, and I think we would do well together over time.”

“This is distinctly not romantic,” she said flatly.

“And,” he paused, looking at her again with all seriousness. “Maybe we will be blessed enough to have that friendship turn into something more someday. We can handle our families, our ‘urges’…”

“Quit laughing.”

“And spouses have each other’s backs when things get tough,” he admitted. “It would mean a lot to me to have someone I respect and trust at my side because I don’t know what the future holds with my leg. I’ve never thought of being a disabled vet, yet they’ve granted me partial disability for my back. I’m scared, and that’s hard to admit.”

Those words hung between them as he bared his soul toward her, trusting her, and the sincerity of it all pierced through the chaos of her mind. He was wounded and asking for help, friendship, and a permanent bond so he wasn’t alone later. She could understand his feelings and felt humbled by them.

“I don’t know what happens in the future,” he began again, giving her hand a little squeeze. “I'm just trying to be a little selfish, grasping at straws, because I see someone incredible before me. I don’t want to regret not tossing that offer out there between us.”

Being married to Gideon would not be a burden in the slightest, she thought wildly, actually considering the strange proposal. He was handsome, smart, honest, and caring. If things changed between them, friendship turned into something more, it would be a blessing. Any ‘urges’ would not be a struggle either because she was already attracted to him, which could result in children someday when she was ready. All of these things, these thoughts, were landing straight in the ‘plus column’ in her mind. It was the negatives that were terrifying.

What if she met someone else someday? What if something was wrong and they couldn’t fulfill those ‘urges’ or there were no children? What if he had other hidden issues or vices? What if the nerve damage got worse or became permanent? What would that look like for them?

“Christina,” he whispered hoarsely, causing her to look back at him and see shame and fear in his eyes just before he looked away. “It was just a wild thought. You can say ‘No’. I wouldn’t want to tie you to me if this was something you were not…”

“Yes,” she interrupted softly, the word pouring from her without hesitation. His face turned back, looking shocked for a moment before his eyes filled with relief, and he nodded.

“I will always keep my word to you and honor our vows,” he promised, his voice trembling slightly. “This will be our arrangement. You can set the rules or parameters so that you are comfortable with this— with me. No one else needs to know what is involved in our marriage – and I promise you will be safe.”

“Thank you,” she began awkwardly, unsure what to say to all of that. This obviously meant a lot to him, more than she realized. When he said he was scared, maybe that fear was part of a still raw wound in his soul. That spoke to her because deep down, she loved helping and nurturing things.

“It will be okay. I promise,” he repeated, giving her hand another squeeze, almost like it was a silent language between them. She met his eyes once more, not bothering to cushion her words.

“I believe you,” she admitted. “I am putting my future in your hands, taking your name, and willing to believe that this could end up being something more than friendship someday. I am trusting you in this, Gideon.”

He nodded slowly, not looking away from her.

“I will not let you down.”

8

* * *

GIDEON

I must be certifiably insane, Gideon thought wildly as Houghton shrugged and handed him the keys to the truck without a word. The gruff man who had become his benefactor temporarily while he healed had to have so many questions yet didn’t ask one.

“You’re okay with this?”

“You don’t need my approval.”

“You don’t mind us borrowing the truck?”

“Don’t wreck it,” Houghton said simply, yawning and looking at him. “And hurry because I know Jill will hold breakfast until you two get back.”

“Is she going to be upset we aren't taking anyone?”

“If Jill were bothered, everyone would be getting ready right now,” Houghton said bluntly, looking at him. “So let me leave you with this bit of advice. Before you marry Christina, for whatever reason, are you prepared to put her care, happiness, and security before everything else?” Gideon started to open his mouth and Houghton held up a hand, silencing him. “I’m talking about real sacrifice to keep her dreams alive.”

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