Page 120 of Yours for the Taking (Falling For A Rose)

“No.”

“Damn. What happened to your sense of humor?”

Carla closed the door and walked around the car, slipping into the driver’s seat.

“My sense of humor went out the door when you were shot!”

She backed out of the parking lot.

“In the back of my thigh, though.”

“Twice!”

“The shells came out easily. The worst part of it was the burning.”

Carla inhaled and exhaled sharply, poking her lips out.

“Come on, love. Let’s move past this.”

“Jacob, this could’ve been worse. You could’ve been hit in your stomach, or God forbid, your heart.” She stopped at a red light and looked at him. “Do you know what kind of mess I would be if that had happened?”

“But…” he reached to her chin for a soft caress, “That didn’t happen. Why dwell on what could’ve been? I’m alive. You’re alive. Beverly’s getting the care she needs. She’ll see a therapist at the institution for battered children. And we get to spend the rest of our lives together.”

That last part made Carla’s mood shift.

“I am looking forward to loving you forever.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.

“Then show me.”

She twisted her lips. “I plan to.”

“Now.”

The light turned green, and Carla made a left turn. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“Elope with me.”

Her eyes widened, and her heartbeat kicked up a ruckus. She glanced at him, her mouth going wide, unable to hide her smile.

“Jacob…"

He reached across the seat and slipped something on her finger. Glancing down, Carla swerved, then pulled over and put the car in park.

“Holy smokes!”

The five-point-five carat diamond ring sparkled on her hand, and she trembled all over, her hands, her lips, her body.

“Jacob!”

“I love you more than life itself, and I don’t want to spend another second without you as my forever.”

Tears ran down her cheeks, and she covered her mouth with her right hand.

“I know how close our families are to us and what they mean to us. This is not us shutting them out. We will have that fairy-tale wedding if you want it, but first, let’s make it official.”

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