Page 48 of The Rancher's Secret Son

“Claire, I love you.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, hurt rippling inside. “Even though I’ve tried to get over you, I think I’ve always loved you,” she said, opening her eyes and looking up at him. “But that just compounds the problems between us without solving any of them.”

But Nick wouldn’t be stopped. “I want to be with you and Cody. I want to share my life with you,” he said.

She frowned. He knew all the impossible obstacles. Surely this wasn’t going to be a second round of the fight they’d had when they split four years earlier.

“You’ve made me stop and think, Claire. That week on the ranch was the best week of my life. Maybe I’m missing really living, having love and a family in my life. I’ve thought about what you want and need, and what I want and need—what I can give up to make you happy.”

She stared at him intently, suddenly afraid to breathe. She had never heard those words from him before.

“Now I want you to hear what I have to say and then we’ll talk.”

She nodded, wondering what he had planned, remembering that Nick was a politician, so accustomed to saying what he thought people wanted to hear, able to talk people into seeing things his way. Yet there was a tiny part of her that was hanging on his every word because he had never offered to give up one thing for her happiness before.

“You want to stay in Houston, I know. I made a list of what you need and want—take care of your grandparents and continue running the three offices of the real estate business. Right?”

“Yes,” she whispered, wondering what he would suggest.

“I’ll tell you what I want. I’ve thought about my political career, my legal career in Dallas and the ranch. I love being a rancher and you made me stop and think. Why am I pursuing the others when ranching is what I love? But I can move to Houston and practice law there, and if I have to live in Houston to make you happy, I will.”

She stared at him, barely able to breathe and wondering if she had heard him correctly. “You’d give up your political career?” she whispered.

“Absolutely. I’ll do what I need to if it means you and Cody would be in my life. But now here is what I’m thinking—see if you would want this at all. I can move your grandparents with us to the ranch and get full-time care for your grandfather with as many nurses as you want. I can afford it. If it’s not satisfactory to live on the ranch, we could live in Dallas where I can practice law. Your grandparents can live in our house.”

She blinked as another shock hit her...our house...was that a convoluted proposal? “You’re forget—”

“Shh. Wait until I’m through,” he said, touching her lips lightly with his finger. “You can hire someone to run your business in Houston and you can open another one in Dallas. Between all the members of my family, we’ll have more contacts than your grandfather did, so you’ll not lack for customers. We know builders, too.”

He stepped closer. “How am I doing so far?”

Dazed, she stared at him. “Pretty good. You covered my grandparents, my business, the ranch, your career—you left out one thing, Nick. Us. Me and Cody.”

“I just wanted you to know what I’m willing to do before I get to us,” he said. “Claire, I can’t tell you how empty my life has been without you and Cody. I don’t want to live that way.” His hands slipped to her waist and he drew her closer.

“I love you, Claire. I love you with all my heart. I’ll do whatever I need to do to make you happy.”

Her heart thudded and her breath left her. “Nick,” she gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck, fighting back tears. “You’re really willing to do all of that?”

“If it gets me you and Cody, your love, yes, I am. You don’t need to ask twice. I’ll do what you want. I’m not losing you again. Will you marry me?”

“Nick,” she said, her heart pounding with joy as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

His arms banded her and he held her tightly, leaning over her to kiss her. She couldn’t stop tears of joy, of relief, thinking how much she had hurt just thinking of the empty nights ahead. Instead, Nick was willing to do whatever would make her happy so they could be together.

“Hey, darlin’, you’re crying. Don’t cry. That’s the last thing I intended. I don’t want to hurt you ever again, Claire. I promise. You tell me what you want. I love you. Will you marry me?” he repeated.

“Yes,” she answered, smiling and still crying. “Nick, I’ve hurt so badly and wanted you so much. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She kissed him then.

When his words had had a moment to sink in, she asked him, “You really mean you’re giving up politics after you finish this term of office?”

“I’m already finished. I resigned. It’ll be in the news tomorrow, I’m sure.”

Staring at him, she was stunned. “You resigned as a Texas State Representative?”

“Yes, I did. I thought we could work things out better if I gave that up right now.”

“I’m stunned. You did that for me?”

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