Page 77 of Sweet Home

“Good,” he said, nodding. “Then you won’t rush into something you don’t love. You’ll give it some thought, maybe even go back to school yourself, if that’s something that interests you.”

Dulcie nodded, the idea of going back to school suddenly taking hold of her imagination. She had never considered it, and she had no idea how she would pay for it. But suddenly, she did have an idea of something she might like to do.

“I hope you’ll give this some thoughttoo,” West said. “And there’s no rush on it either. But when you’re ready, if you’re ever ready…”

She watched in wonder as he slipped out of his chair and knelt beside hers.

“I want you to know that you and Delphine are everything to me and to Elizabeth too,” he said, his dark eyes serious. “You have my heart, and everything else of mine is yours too.”

He was holding a ring. A tiny diamond sparkled at its center.

“West,” she breathed.

He smiled up at her, his expression a study in patience and longing.

“Do you mean it?” she heard herself whisper.

“Of course I mean it,” he said, his eyes flashing.

A version of Dulcie last year, or even last month would never have believed that a man like West Lawrence could love her and want her to be his wife.

But as his proposal settled around her, she realized that it wasn’t just her circumstances that had changed.Everythingwas different now for Dulcie, including the way she slept at night, the way she saw the world and the people around her, and the way she felt about herself.

For years, she had seen herself through her father’s eyes—never good enough, never important, a drain on him and on the world. It had taken space and the support of someone who truly cared about her to give her perspective on her own worth. If someone like West could love her…

Yes, West was a doctor and an established member ofhis community. But more importantly, he was a good man with a heart of gold.

And Dulcie was a resourceful, loyal, and determined woman.

She deserved to be happy.

They deserved each other.

“Yes,” she said simply.

“Yes?” he asked.

She nodded.

West’s expression went soft with wonder as he slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.

Just like us…

Dulcie jumped out of her chair and West stood, pulling her close and bending to kiss her gently.

“I’m the happiest man alive,” he murmured as he pulled back to gaze down at her.

“Me too,” she told him, feeling flustered. “I mean, not the man part, but… you know.”

“Oh, I know. But I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” he told her with a teasing smile. “I think you’re going to be battling your sister for second happiest person.”

“You told her you were doing this?” Dulcie asked, suddenly worrying that maybe Delphine wouldn’t like it.

“Of course,” West said softly. “I asked her blessing. And this wouldn’t have happened without it.”

A wave of love so strong it felt almost like pain washed over her until she couldn’t speak, and she had to blink back tears.

“I hope you don’t mind,” West said. “But I didn’t want her to feel like she didn’t have a say inthings around here. And I don’t ever want anything to come between the two of you.”

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