Page 87 of Maverick

“I didn’t know it was so bad out or this could have waited,” she said.

“Could it? What’s going on, Parker?”

She looked surprised. “Nothing is going on with me. What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Ever since we got back, you’ve barely spoken to me. We haven’t had sex since before I left for Oregon. You told me when we were there, that you were past what happened.”

He raised his eyebrows. “I am. Just when were we supposed to have sex, Parker? We were at your parents’ house for a few days, but you were gone before that.”

“What about when we got home?”

“I was giving you space. You were grieving.”

“Is that it?”

“Yes, of course.”

“You’ve been distant and don’t say you’ve been giving me space.”

Maverick sighed. “I had something on my mind.”

“You can’t tell me?” She touched his hand. “I want you to be able to share everything with me, Maverick.”

“I do, baby, but this was something I had to figure out myself.”

“And have you?”

He bit his lip and nodded. “I have.”

“Can you tell me now? I want us back to the way we were.”

“I don’t want to go back.”

“What? Are you telling me you don’t want to see me anymore?”

“Good Lord, woman. Where do you get such a thought?”

“You said you didn’t want to go back to the way we were.” She sniffled.

He cupped her face in his hands. “I don’t want to go back because I want to go forward with you.”

“Forward?”

Maverick got to his feet, walked to his coat, and reached into the pocket. He removed the small black velvet box, took a deep breath, and walked back to the sofa and sat.

“When we were in Oregon, remember I told you that your dad and I talked in the kitchen one night?” She nodded. “He said to me, you love my daughter, don’t you and I said, I do, then I told him I wanted to marry you and asked for his blessing.” Maverick grinned when she gasped and shook his head. “He left me hanging for a few seconds, then told me I had it. I’ve been trying to find the right time to ask you because you’ve been through so much with your grandfather, and the thought that you would tell me no, scared the hell out of me. I haven’t been… distant, I’ve been scared.”

“You asked my dad for his blessing?”

“Yes. He asked me what if he didn’t give it and I told him I’d marry you anyway, if you’d have me.” He stared into her eyes. “So, will you? Have me?”

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. “Yes.”

He opened the lid of the box to show her the diamond ring set in white gold. He removed the ring, picked up her hand, and looked at her.

“I love you so much, Parker. More than I have ever loved anyone. Will you marry me?”

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