Page 69 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
He took the ring from it’s perch and slid it onto her finger. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” He placed a kiss over the ring and squeezed her hand.
Before they could leave their places, Jack turned to Maisie and said her name. Suddenly, another smaller pink velvet box appeared in his hands and he opened it, holding it towards the mesmerized toddler, whose wide eyes were a sight to see.
“Maisie, I’m so in love with you too. I never want to spend another day without sharing it with you. Will you marry me too?”
Maisie burst into tears. They flooded over her face so quickly, it caught everyone unprepared. Jack reached for her at the same time as Mia. Both their arms came around her. They listened as she fought to make a reply. “I can’t mawwy you, Jack, ‘cause I’m too little. I wanted you to be my daddy.”
Jack had to fight his own tears when he realized his gesture had backfired on the tiny sprout. “Honey, this ring isn’t for you to be my wife. It’s a daddy ring for a little girl. I meant to ask if you’d like to be my little girl and share my life.”
Maisie pulled back, her drenched face now wreathed in smiles, her chubby hand swiping at the wetness. “You’ll be my Papa Jack?”
“Would you like me to be?”
“I’d weally like that. A daddy for Maisie. My vewy own fathew.”
Jack picked her up and kissed her cheek. “Okay, angel. Then as your fathew, I have one last present for you. It’s a special gift, and I think you’ll love it.”
He passed the little girl to Mia’s waiting arms and headed to the back of the house returning quickly with a fancy pink box covered with a huge red bow.
Along with Maisie, Mia ran over and helped him lift the top. Sitting inside was the most adorable golden retriever puppy Mia had ever seen. It sat quietly staring up at the faces peering over the edge. It wore a pink bow and yawned as if they’d woken her from a nap.
Whispering, her excitement obvious by the fact she couldn’t sit still, Maisie pulled at Jack’s sleeve. “Papa Jack, can I pick hew up?”
“Of course. Just remember, she’s a baby and likes to walk by herself so her legs will get stronger. You mustn’t try to carry her everywhere. Promise?”
“I pwomise.” Maisie reached in and picked up the golden-haired puppy carefully, hugging her, all the while the puppy lathered her face on every spot she could reach. Giggling, her infectious sound reacting on every adult present, she asked, “Can I name her?”
“Of course, she’s your puppy now.”
“Can I call her Beauty?”
“I think that’s a perfect name. What do you think, Mama Mia?” Jack teased.
“I think when you asked if you could get Maisie a dog, you might have mentioned for Christmas,” Mia teased back.
“Heck, I would have if I’d known the breeder wanted to head South for the holidays and needed to clear his kennels before he left. Brian and the boys have been puppy-sitting for the last two days so I could keep this a surprise.”
Mia kissed him and even Angie snuck up to wrap her arms around his shoulders so she could loudly kiss his cheek. “You’re a sneaky devil, Jack. I love it. Welcome to the family legally. You’ve always been a part as far as my heart was concerned.”
Mark petted the puppy in Maisie’s arms, almost as excited as the little girl. “I got one too, Maisie. Only mine’s a boy dog. Isn’t she pretty?”
“Can youw puppy come ovew and play with Beauty sometimes, Mawk?”
“Sure can. You’ll have lots of fun with your new friends, Maisie.”
“I’m a vewy happy giwl.” Maisie smiled at everyone; her puppy held close.
Mia’s heart couldn’t get much fuller.
Angie’s voice broke into her thoughts. “I don’t want to interrupt this wonderful time, but I’m hungry. We made Jack’s favorite cinnamon rolls for part of the Christmas breakfast this year, so come on, let’s go and eat.”
Jack lifted both Maisie and Beauty in his arms. “Great. Then we can go for a swim.”
Mia figured she was the only one who saw Maisie’s smile falter.
Chapter Fifty
Jack knew he was laying a trap for Maisie, but if that’s what it took, he’d try anything. She needed to get over her fear of the water, and he had figured out a way it might happen.
