Page 85 of And Then There Was Us
“Hugh would never put you or Layla in danger.” Treat’s commanding presence was second to the confidence in his tone. He picked up Layla and carried her safely in his arms as Hugh crossed the finish line and the crowd roared. Layla covered her ears, and Brianna and Jean cheered.
“He’s going to be pumped!” Treat squeezed Layla. “Hugh won, Layla.”
“Yay!” she cheered.
“Congratulations!” Max said to Brianna.
“It’s all Hugh,” Brianna said. Her heart thundered in his chest.He won. Just like he said he would.
Max shifted her eyes to Treat. “I love to see him with Layla,” Max said.
“He looks like a natural. Do you plan on having children?” Brianna asked.
“Oh, yes. Definitely.” Max’s cheeks pinked with her smile.
“There’s no greater joy,” Jean added. She put her arm around Brianna.
“Thanks, Mom. I feel the same way about Layla.” She watched the cars pull into their pits.
“Come on, ladies; it’s time for the winner’s circle.” Treat picked up his pace.
Winner’s circle?Brianna’s nerves took flight. She’d thought they would remain on the sidelines.
The winner’s circle was inside the track and mobbed with media crews. Hugh finished his victory lap, then spun out across the grass.
When he stepped from the car, Brianna’s breath hitched. He was so handsome in his driving suit, and when he whipped off his helmet, his eyes immediately found hers. A rush of heat spread through her. Hugh blazed a path toward Brianna right through the mass of reporters, who spread like the Red Sea. Treat was behind him, carrying a sign.
“May I?” Hugh took the track announcer’s microphone and closed the gap between him and Brianna. He took off his glove and handed it to Max, then took Layla’s hand and guided her in front of Brianna.
Brianna put her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. Hugh’s smile reached his eyes, and his dimples—those glorious dimples—appeared deep and true. His chest rose and fell with each hard breath. His eyes held her captive, and his rich, smooth voice sent her stomach into some kind of anxious rumba. She felt the eyes of the fans upon them, making her heart race.
“I will get on with my thank-yous in just a moment. Please bear with me.” Hugh’s voice boomed through the loudspeakers.
Hugh placed his hand on Brianna’s, which held Layla’s shoulder. “I won that race for Brianna and Layla Heart.”
Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!Brianna couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. She squeezed Layla’s shoulder, and Hugh’s hand lovingly held hers as he dropped to one knee before them.One knee!Brianna felt her knees weaken and she shifted her gaze to her mother, who was wiping tears as quickly as they fell.
“Brianna.”
She drew her eyes back to Hugh, kneeling before her.Kneeling!
His eyes dampened, and Brianna’s throat swelled. “You’re the bravest, most loving woman I know, and when I think of my future, I see you and Layla. When I look into your eyes, I feel your love for me.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She had no idea how she remained standing, or if she was even still breathing, as the man she loved said everything she could ever dream of hearing.
“My life is full of challenges and competitions, and I know I can face anything with you by my side. You deserve a man who will love and cherish you and Layla. You deserve a man who will nourish your love and feed your spirit. Brianna, will you let me be that man? Will you marry me?”
She opened her mouth to speak, and nothing came out. Her jaw trembled. The world went silent, save for her thundering heart.
“Mommy! Say yes!” Layla whispered loudly.
The reporters laughed.
“Yes.” It was a whisper. “Yes.”Darn it! Where’s my voice?
Hugh rose to his feet with hope in his eyes. “Yes?”
She nodded, her legs somehow propelling her forward. “Yes!”
