Page 144 of Reckless Harmony

“I love you too,” she said.

“What I said about us being a mistake wasn’t true. I was hurt and upset, but I shouldn’t have said that, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she said, resting her forehead against his. “I’m sorry that my insecurities reared their ugly heads. We’re very different, and I’m worried that eventually, you’ll grow to hate me for it.”

“I won’t,” he said. “I love everything about you, Rayna Abrams.” He placed his hand against her heart. “From your incredible kind heart to,” he touched her leggings, “your complete inability to wear a pair of pants that doesn’t have holes. I love it all, and yes, while we are different, we’re the same when it comes to what counts the most.”

“What’s that?” she said softly.

“How much we love and respect each other,” he said. “You are the most amazing woman I know, Rayna Abrams, and nothing would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Holy shit. Did you just ask me to marry you?”

He cocked his head. “Huh, I guess I did.”

She stared wide-eyed at him, and he grinned. “Too soon to be talking marriage?”

“I… actually, no, I don’t think so,” she said.

Maybe she was acting completely insane, but nothing had ever felt more right to her than marrying Isaac Stark.

“Good. I’ll buy you a ring tomorrow,” he said.

Her head spinning, Rayna said, “Not to be a total downer, but I really would prefer if you bought my house instead. I’m not sure how much you know about what Mack did, but -”

“I know everything,” he said. “I hadn’t read your email, so I didn’t know the rescue was closing until I got a call about sending Molly and the babies to a different rescue. When I couldn’t get you to respond to my calls or texts, I -”

She grimaced. “I blocked your number. I’m sorry, but I did it because I didn’t trust I wouldn’t text you, and I was pretty sure you hated me.”

He hugged her close. “It’s okay. I was an asshole, and you should have blocked me for my behaviour. Anyway, I stalked Lucas at the office this morning and then threatened to fire him when he wouldn’t tell me what was going on.”

She laughed. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” he said. “When that didn’t work, I told him I had fucked up and that I loved you, and that convinced him to tell me what happened. He told me how much debt Mack racked up and that you needed to pay it off quickly.”

“If you know all of that, why did you rip up the papers I signed?” Rayna asked.

“Because you don’t need to sell your house to pay off the rescue’s debt,” Isaac said. “I’ll pay what is owed to the bank.”

“No,” she said immediately, pushing free of his lap before pacing the kitchen. “You are not paying the debt I owe because of my mistake, Isaac.”

He stood and caught her hand, pulling her to a stop before pushing her against the counter and caging her in. He kissed up her throat before nuzzling along her jaw. “Please let me do this, baby.”

“It’s too much money,” she said.

He leaned back, sliding his arms around her waist. “Rayna, I am a multimillionaire.”

“I’m aware,” she said. “But I’m not taking advantage of that or making you feel obligated to help.”

“Baby, listen to me.” He stared directly at her. “I am doing this because I love you and because what you do is incredible and so important. I have seen first-hand the difference you make in the lives of these animals and how often you help the less fortunate in this community care for their pets. Losing the rescue would be a massive blow to Harmony Falls. They need you, and I am in a position to help you help them. I am doing this for those reasons and not because I feel any obligation to help. I want to help you, baby. Let me.”

“You’re making it very difficult to say no,” she said.

“Then don’t,” he grinned.

“Could we consider it a loan?” she asked. “If you buy the house for three-fifty, then I’ll only have about fifty-eight grand left to pay. I could pay that back to you with interest in five years or so if I’m careful with my money and find a cheap place on the south side.”

“One, it will be a cold day in hell before I let you live on the south side,” Isaac said. “And two, paying off the rescue’s debt is my wedding gift to you. We’re getting married, remember? There’s no way in hell you’re living anywhere but right here with me.”

---