Page 66 of Fire and Ice
She pulled her phone out of her purse and brought up Grady in her text messages. I’ve made my decision. When can you meet?
His reply came back almost immediately. Tonight, 5:00 P.M. Our place.
Her chest grew tight. Giovanni’s. The place they had gone on their first date had become their place.
I’ll be there. She relaxed and set the phone aside before heading home and getting ready for tonight.
Grady’s heart pounded steadily as he used his cane to follow the hostess, who was leading him to Chelsea’s table. When he saw her, the thumping in his chest almost stopped.
God, she was gorgeous. He wanted to kiss her sweet smile as he looked into her beautiful green eyes, while he slid his fingers into her soft blonde hair. He needed to hold her in his arms and never let her go again.
She stood as he made his way to her. The hostess seemed to realize they needed to be alone because she retreated with just a slight bow of her head.
Chelsea’s eyes glittered with tears. “Grady.” The way she said his name made him feel like warm honey flowed through his veins.
The moment he stood in front of her, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his T-shirt. He felt her tremble as he stroked her back with his free hand.
If he hadn't had so many sisters, he might have been more concerned about why she was crying. At a young age, he learned that women sometimes cried over anything emotional. Not all women, but most of his sisters were like that.
He continued to stroke her back. “Honey, are you okay?”
“I am now.” She raised her head, and her mascara was smudged from her tears. He carefully wiped away the traces with his thumb as he looked into her eyes. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you, too, honey.” His throat went dry as the moment of truth and her decision was upon them. “Why don’t we sit down?”
She nodded, seeming unable to speak for a moment. She looked at his cane. “You’re doing so well.”
They sat close to each other at the round table, close enough for a quiet conversation.
“Talk to me.” He brushed her hair away from her face, sliding his fingers through the strands. He breathed in her soft, flowery perfume. He’d missed her scent, as much as he missed touching her, kissing her.
She caught his hand in both of hers and squeezed. “I’m just going to say it.”
“Go ahead.” He found himself holding his breath and forced air from his lungs before drawing another breath.
“I love you, Grady.” She smiled. Warmth filled his entire being as she spoke. “Whatever our future holds, I will be there for you. No matter what.”
He swallowed hard, feeling so choked up he could barely get the words out. “I love you, Chelsea. I’ve loved you forever.” He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her until his mind spun. When he drew away, he gave a big grin. “I’m not feeling so hungry right now.”
“I feel like playing nurse.” She gave him her adorable, mischievous expression. “Let’s get out of here.”
22
A massive wave rose, its crest sparkling in the afternoon sun. It crashed to the beach, a few inches from Chelsea’s bare feet. She shifted on the beach towel, wiggled her toes, and glanced at her wedding set. It sparkled in the bright day, and she turned to smile at Grady. Warmth filled her heart, having Grady by her side as her husband.
My husband.
She still felt like she needed to pinch herself to believe all of it was real.
Two weeks after they’d professed their love, Grady had proposed to her at Giovanni’s, their place. A few weeks after that, they were married in a small church in King Creek. Now it was the end of March, and they were having an amazing honeymoon.
Hanalei Beach was the most gorgeous beach in the Hawaiian Islands, as far as she was concerned. It was definitely her favorite after spending a week on Kauai with Grady for their honeymoon.
It couldn’t have been a more perfect, more beautiful day. Surfers rode the crest of an incoming wave, people lay out on towels up and down the shore, and children played chicken with the tide rolling in.
Grady and Chelsea’s giant orange and yellow umbrella shaded them well now that they were finished playing in the water. Their bodies were coated with sunblock, and sand was sticking to her skin.
“You have the best ideas.” She grinned at him. “I think a trip to this amazing island is perfect.” She gave a happy sigh. “It’s so beautiful here.”
