Page 85 of The Texas Sterling Collection
The limo waited at the curb with the door open. As we rode to the hotel, Wyl leaned close, “Honey, experiencingDon Giovannion stage is unbelievable. I always thought opera was dull, but you helped me understand it through your class and comments tonight.”
I didn’t remember much about the performance. My main attraction held my hand beside me in the private box. “You picked my favorite opera,” I whispered in Wyl’s ear.
“I know,” Wyl said. “I pay attention to what my soulmate likes.”
I shivered with anticipation as the limo pulled into the hotel’s circular drive near midnight. In the elevator to our suite, Wyl was giddy. Something was up.
“What’s up with you?” I asked. “You’re acting like a little kid on Christmas morning.”
“Oh, nothing.” Wyl grinned.
On our floor, Wyl dragged me down the hall to our suite.
“You’re scaring me. Do I need to call a doctor?” I touched my palm to Wyl’s forehead. “Are you okay?”
Wyl unlocked the door and shoved me inside. “I’m fine. Give me your jacket, kick off your boots, and sit, and I’ll bring us a brandy.”
“Brandy sounds wonderful, babe.”
What was he up to? I removed my jacket and boots and settled on the soft leather couch. This was an excellent time to ask him to marry me. My insides trembled. Could I ask him?
The dim room lights and the soft glow of the gas fireplace set a romantic mood. Wyl set the snifters on the coffee table, the amber liquid catching the yellow glow from the fire. He knelt in front of me. My heart pounded. What was he doing? He took my hands in his. “Um… I wanted to do something special for your Christmas present.”
I gazed into Wyl’s grey-green eyes. I trembled and hoped he couldn’t feel it. I leaned forward, waiting. The light from the fireplace made his face glow. Then, a tear rolled down his cheek.
“Damn…” he sniffed and swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.”
My hands began to shake. What would bring Wyl to tears?
Wyl paused as if searching for the right words. “Rod, you mean more to me than life itself.” His voice shook. We were a combined mess. “You made me so happy these past few months.” His voice cracked. “I love you so much that mere words are not adequate.” He paused again and took a deep breath.
I held mine. At least it sounded like he wasn’t breaking up with me. Why did that pop into my head? “What is it, Wyl?”
“Rod Bonner, will you honor me by becoming my husband?”
Time stopped. Hearing ceased. The world started spinning. A lump formed in my throat, and my vision shimmered.
Wyl waited for a response, face frozen in expectation.
I nodded. Speech failed. No words could convey my feelings. I released Wyl’s hands and opened my arms.
Wyl settled on the couch and pulled me to him.
“I love you so much, it hurts,” I choked out. “Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes, I want to be married to you more than anything.”
Wyl leaned back to gaze into my eyes. “You do?”
With both hands, I grabbed Wyl’s face. “Yes, and I'll sayI dolater.” I half-chuckled. “I hoped to work up to ask you tonight.”
After an emotional pause, Wyl uttered in a quivering voice, “I want to be bound to you by law.” He gasped, tears rolling down his cheeks. “I want what’s mine to be yours and what’s yours to be mine. I don’t want anybody to take anything away from us.”
“I want the same thing.” I choked on tears again, then sniffled. “Being married to you is a dream come true for me.”
I pulled Wyl into a seal-the-deal passionate kiss. Whatever lay ahead, we proved we could handle it together.
THE END
