Page 42 of Ultimate Freedom

He didn’t move… couldn’t. Feeling weak, like his legs wouldn’t hold him upright, he held out his arms. She rushed him. Flew into his embrace and wrapped her arms around hisneck. When he hugged her tiny body to his, she couldn’t touch the floor, just swung in midair.

His mouth found hers, and he kissed her, drawing out every morsel of emotion she was willing to share. It was a kiss that lasted long enough for the unspoken promises to be shared in the meeting of their lips.

Finally, she struggled, and he released her mouth to nestle his face in her neck. She couldn’t see him like this, so fragile with passion. It would unman him, and he wasn’t ready to give that over… not yet. One day.

Lifting her in his arms, he moved to the bed and sat with his back against the pillows and held her across his knees, so her head rested on his chest. “Tell me about what’s put those sad looks behind the sparkle. When I know there’s something wrong, I can’t relax until I fix it.”

Demi smiled gently. “My protector. It feels wonderful knowing you care. That I’m not alone anymore.” She snuggled closer, rejoicing in the feeling of being held in his arms.

“You aren’t. And if I can help, I will. What’s going on? Is it Charlie?”

“No. Now that he’s home, I’m good. Though we have to talk about me being his foster mother. I know you had plans to take him, but you weren’t here when Mrs. Stanch came with the threat and the papers.”

“You did good. Exactly what I would have done.” As he spoke, he ever so gently stroked her face, pushing the softness of her hair over her shoulder so he could see her more clearly. Then he leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Quit stalling. What’s wrong? Is it Harold?”

“How did you know?”

“Glen told me he’s happy here and most likely wants to stay. Can’t blame him. Being near you would make any man want to stick around.”

A giggle broke out before Demi squashed it. “Don’t flatter me when I have a huge request. Before you told me how you felt, I could have suggested it as a business deal. Now, I’m not sure how to ask.”

“Why? You know I’ll do anything for you.”

“That’s just it. I’m asking you to let Harold stay in your house for as long as he can. Problem is, he couldn’t manage alone.”

Whit went to speak until he saw the look she flashed his way. “Why do I think you’ve got that solved?”

Demi’s smile faltered but she carried on. “Lexie’s decided that the nurse here in town won’t be able to work at the clinic much longer. Mrs. Knorrs is still strong, but she’s old, close to seventy. She tries to hide it but having so many responsibilities is too much for her.”

“I know Elsie Knorrs. She’s a sweetheart… lives in that old trailer behind the clinic, doesn’t she?”

“Yes. That’s just it. Lexie wants to offer it to a new nurse. We thought that if Mrs. Knorrs could move into your house with Harold, he would have someone to help him, and Lefty could get back to Vancouver and his restaurant.”

“And you think Elsie might be the answer to this problem?”

Demi’s voice filled with pity. “Maybe. It’s gotten so bad that yesterday Lexie caught her sleeping at work. Unfortunately, she’s got no place else to go. Her husband passed away twenty years ago and left her with huge medical bills that she’s still paying off. Poor old girl’s had to work to look after herself.”

Whit began to laugh. He lifted his face and let it rip.

“What? Whitacker Hart, why are you laughing?”

“If you would have been in the truck with me and Glen earlier, you would have heard us having a similar conversation only we didn’t know of any nurses. Thought I’d have to hiresomeone undercover. I had already decided to invite Harold to stay, but even I knew he couldn’t live alone. This will settle both problems.”

“Except you haven’t thought it through. Wait. Don’t say yes until you hear me out. We have no way of knowing how long either of them will live. You could have your house tied up for years.”

“Which means you’ll have to put up with me living here with you and Charlie. At least until we get married, and you make an honest man of me. In the meantime, we can build a big new house on that rise overlooking the river.”

Stunned, the expression showing on her face, Demi arched back to see him clearly. “Seriously? Is that a proposal?”

Whit slid his hand into his pocket and came out holding a gorgeous, gold, sluice-box engagement ring. Nestled in the middle of the nuggets sat an exquisite diamond.

“Oh my. Oh, God. It’s beautiful. Whit. It’s lovely. I love it.” She held out a hand that shook so badly he had to hold it to keep it still long enough to slide the ring on.

“Now you’re mine.” He kissed her deeply.

***

In that moment, if Demi could have melded her body with his, she wouldn’t have hesitated. Never wanting to be away from him again, she clung.

---