Page 73 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

But it seemed the thought of being married one day and the reality of being marriednowwere two entirely different things. Fear buzzed inside like a dozen angry bees.

“Laurel?” He gave a shaky laugh. “You’re kind of freaking me out here.”

“No, no, I’m just... overwhelmed.” She pushed her hair off her face. He was still holding that ring.

This wasn’t unexpected. She should be thoroughly delighted. But every time she thought about marriage, panic followed. Her mom’s words sprang up in her mind.“Theyalways leave,Laurel. You’regonnaget hurt.”The thought of Gavin leaving her the way Dad left Mom made her stomach twist hard.

“What’s going on?”

“I just... I didn’t expect this today, that’s all.” Her smile trembled on her lips. “I’m surprised.”

Gavin let out a humorless laugh. “This is hardly sudden. We’ve been dating nine years.” He stared out at the sunset that had seemed so beautiful just minutes ago. “Sometimes it’s like you don’t trust me or something. Or don’t trustus. I don’t know.”

“It’s not that.” She was going to mess this up. Maybe she already had. What was wrong with her? She loved him so much. She set her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Gavin. Can we just rewind and do this over? I want to marry you. Of course I do.”

He looked away. “That’s not the feeling I’m getting. You don’t think we’re going to make it for the long haul.”

The rebuff made her go cold inside. Maybe it washewho thought that. “Well, you dropped out of my life once before, so forgive me if I have a few trust issues.”

“Dropped out of your life? You broke up with me!”

“I just beat you to the punch.”

“I was never going to break up with you, Laurel. How many times do I have to say that? Iloveyou.”

His intense tone, the desperate look in his eyes, melted her into a puddle. All the fight drained out of her. She shouldn’t have brought up that stupid breakup again. Everything she wanted was right in front of her, and she was going to let it slip through her fingers. He’d said all those lovely things, and she turned it into a fight.

Her eyes stung with tears. She covered her face. “What is wrong with me?” She tried to swallow down the tears. But she couldn’t hold them back.

A long moment later Gavin gathered her into his arms.

She pressed into him, wrapping her arms firmly around him, as if she could keep him forever if she only held on tightly enough.

“There’s nothing wrong with you, baby. You’re just scared. Love is scary sometimes. But I won’t let you down. I promise.”

Could she make herself believe that? She wanted to so badly. Maybe he could believe it enough for the both of them.

He held her until her tears subsided, then he dried her face with the tail of his shirt, gazing at her with such affection she thought she might break down in tears again. What had she ever done to deserve this man? “I ruined your proposal.” She bit her wobbling lip.

He swiped at the stray tear. “You didn’t ruin anything, Short Stuff. The offer’s still good whenever you’re ready.”

“I’m ready now.”

“You don’t have to say—”

She put her fingers over his lips. “I’m ready now. I love you so much, Gavin. I’m sorry if I get all weird sometimes.”

“I love you, weirdness and all.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Her heart gave a tug at his tender gesture. “Can I—can I see the ring again?”

He chuckled. And dropped one arm long enough to locate the jewelry box and hand it to her.

She opened it up again and gazed down at the beautiful solitaire. “Will you put it on me?”

His eyes grew intense. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Positive.”

---