Page 63 of An Unexpected Match

“But seeing these sexy pictures you drew, I knew I didn’t need to wait. I’m not sure how it happened, but the woman who drew those pictures isn’t indifferent.”

She shook her head. Was she dreaming? Would she waken in a little while and find herself alone in her bedroom?

“I love you, Arden Glover. I want you for my wife. I want you in all the ways a man wants a woman.”

“But you love Lannie,” she protested.

“Yes, I loved her a lot. I’ll always have a sweet spot in my heart for her. But she’s gone. And you’re here. Beautiful, talented, warm and loving. And so outrageous sometimes I’m constantly amazed and enthralled. Your kisses drive me wild. Your sunny disposition brings light to a routine existence. Your enchantment with life warms my heart. Everything about you entices me. There’s so much I want to explore with you. Like see this pretty hair spread out on a pillow or feel the silky strands flow over my fingers. Like hearing your laughter each day. It makes my heart catch when I hear it. I want you to look at me with the love that shines in your eyes when you look at my daughters. I want to see you in the morning and at night and in between. And to grow old together. I want it all, Arden. And I want it with you.”

“You said you didn’t want to remarry.”

She couldn’t think. But hadn’t he said that? Why was she bringing it up? He’d just said he loved her. She should latch on to that.

“I felt that way when Lannie died. I will never take you for granted. There’ll always be a fear in me that something terrible will happen to you. But I need to take that chance. Otherwise, I know you’ll leave, eventually. And that’s what I can’t bear. I want you in my life from now on forever.”

“Forever?”

She leaned against him, hugging him tightly, the tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Oh, Brendan, I love you so much. I was going to quit and leave because I couldn’t stand falling more and more in love and thinking I had no chance at a happy ending.”

“So does that mean your answer is yes?” he demanded, his arms hugging her close.

“Yes. Yes!”

She laughed with joy.

“I can’t believe this. Ten minutes ago, I was planning how to tell you I was leaving. Now I’m staying and getting married. Getting a family I never thought I’d have. Oh, Brendan, one day I’ll even get grandchildren. You really love me? I’m not second best?”

“Oh, darling, never. I adore you, everything about you. I fought it. My intention was to keep my distance, keeping you segregated as an employee. But I couldn’t.”

“You aren’t really worried anything will happen to you, are you?” she asked suspiciously.

He smiled slowly, shaking his head. “That was the only excuse I could come up with. I thought if you and I got married, eventually things would work out. I was counting on kisses and lovemaking to win you over.”

“No need. You won me over with that first phone call from Latin America. It just took me a few days to realize it. Then I worked hard to make sure you never suspected.”

“You could have given me a hint,” he said with a smile.

“Ever since I had that infection as a teenager that prevents me from ever having children, I’d put marriage out of my plans for the future. I was going to be a dedicated career woman.”

“If you want to work, go for it. If you want to paint for sheer pleasure, do that. Just love me and my girls, that’s all I ask.”

“Then you ask little, Brendan. Nothing you don’t already have. I love you with all my heart and soul. I’ll make you the best wife in the world.”

“Just be yourself, sweetheart. That will make you the best in the world.”

“Best wife,” she corrected.

“No, the best, period.”

She would have said more, but his kiss cut off the words. Her heart swelled with love as her arms tightened around his neck.

There were a million details to work out. Would the girls accept her? Would his family? What would the aunts say?

But Arden knew everything would work out. She knew she was where she belonged in Brendan Ferguson's arms. Forever, he’d said.

It just might be long enough.

---