“You and this baby are my world. I love editing and I'm going to continue doing it but it's not my focal point anymore. You are, and I want you to believe that.”
“I do.” He placed his forehead on hers and breathed in deeply. “My love.”
“Come to bed,” she whispered.
“I was about to.”
*****
“Marry me,” Mason said quietly as he came up behind her and placed his hands on her slender shoulders. “Not this moment because I don't want to home in on my cousin’s wedding but maybe June—I always fancied a summer wedding. We could have it at the ranch at the gazebo. It doesn't have to be big; it could be intimate, or if you prefer, we could go to the courthouse and have it there.”
She turned to face him. She'd really grown to love him in the past few months and she had a sneaky feeling that she was carrying his child. She wasn't sure, and she hadn't even said anything to Amy yet. She wanted to be positive before she announced it, and besides, it was all about Amy right now. “Are you sure that's what you want? I mean, I love you, Mason, but I would hate to think that you're proposing just because of my bank account.” He removed his hands from her shoulders and stepped back, a hurt look on his attractive face. “Is that what you think of me? That I'm some sort of a gold digger?”
“I've been there before.” She took his hands and tightened hers on his when he tried to pull away. “I would love nothing better than to be your wife and build a home with you, but can you blame me for being scared?”
He reached out to clamp his hands on her arms. “You're smart and beautiful, and I think that being so smart, you're able to tell the difference. I know I haven't been the best person in the past because I was obsessed with getting what my cousin had, but ever since I met you, I don’t give a damn about any of that. I don’t give a damn about how much money you have, Rosie. All I want is you and if you can't see that—” He shook his head and started to let go of her, but she stopped him.
“I can see that,” she cried softly. “Forgive me for being so doubtful and scared but where I come from, everything is false. I told you about my parents and the marriage they have. It’s the norm for married couples to see other people but I always knew that I wanted more. I wanted to be exclusive, to be special, to be the only one in my man’s life.”
“You're special and the only woman I want in my life.” He pulled her up to him roughly, his blue eyes burning. “I love you, Rosie. I think I did from the moment I saw you sitting at my cousin’s table, and I want you to be my wife. It stops with you. Do you understand that?”
“I'm beginning to,” she told him shakily as she spread her hands over his chest. “Can we wait until after Amy’s wedding? I don’t want to intrude on their celebration.”
“All right, but we're getting married in June,” he told her roughly, his arms tight around her.
“I have the perfect spot to build our house,” she murmured into his chest.
“Where's that?” he asked indulgently.
“A couple of miles away from the ranch. There's this lovely little cottage that sits on top of a hill, surrounded by the woods with a stream running through it.”
“The old Miller’s place,” he said musingly. “It’s going to take a lot of work.”
She looked up at him. “I have a talent for decorating and knowing what I want. I want a home, cozy and welcoming, where I can go outside and pick berries and apples and ride horses. Maybe have a couple of chickens and livestock of our own.”
He put her away from him and stared down at her quizzically. “You want a farm?”
She moved her shoulders a little. “A ranch, a farm—just something for us and our children. You could build a tree house—”
His fingers dug into her arms. “What are you saying?” he asked her hoarsely.
“I'm not saying anything yet, but I might be pregnant. It's too soon to tell—” She broke off as he buried his lips on hers, his body molding to hers, his fingers digging into her hair. He released her lips and placed his head on hers, his heart racing.
“Rosemarie,” he whispered brokenly. “Oh darling, you've made me so happy.”
“You've made me so happy.” She hugged him tight. “Please don’t say anything to your mother yet, I want to be sure first.”
“Ir will be our little secret for now. How about a celebration?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Going back to bed.”
“I have no problem with that.”
*****
“Maybe she won't like me.” He gripped her fingers tightly as they went to answer the door. They'd come in a few hours ago and she'd insisted on him making love to her before she called and invited her mother over for dinner.
“You're cute.” She leaned up and kissed him full on the lips. “She's going to love you.”
“I hope so,” he muttered. “I knocked up her daughter and is am now doing the right thing by marrying her.”
“You're marrying me because you love me, not because I'm carrying your child,” she told him wryly as she pulled the door open. “Hi Mom, Bryce.” She hugged her mother first and then Bryce before turning to Lance. “I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Lance Billings.”
“Finally,” Amelia said as she pulled a very surprised Lance in for an embrace. “I can see why she's been keeping you hidden.” Amelia held him at arm’s length. “You are one fine looking man—all that smoldering outdoorsy attractiveness going on.”
“Forgive my wife,” Bryce said with a shake of his head as he extended his hand. “She's a dancer,” he added as if that explained everything.
“Nice to meet you both,” Lance told them with a smile.
“Darling, let me look at you.” Amelia stared at her daughter. “You're almost popping out of your skin. That baby is going to be big.”
“I hope not,” Amy said as she linked her hand through her mother’s arm. “Come on in, Lance and I managed to put something together. We didn't have time to prepare anything fancy because we were busy.”
“Amy,” Lance gave her a retired look.
“I'm used to her, darling,” Amelia said with a grin as they went to the table. “Why don’t you men have a seat and Amy and I will serve the meal.”
Lance looked at her uncertainly. “I'll help. I don’t want Amy on her feet too much .”
“Lance has a way of trying to spare me from everything. I got this, sit and entertain Bryce.” Shaking her head, she walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I'm fine. I rested on the plane and when we got here. Please stop worrying.”
“Sure?” He tucked strands of hair behind her ear. “As soon as I see signs of you looking tired, I'm stepping in.”
“I would expect nothing less.” She went on her toes and touched her lips to him. “I'll be fine.”
He let her go reluctantly and watched as she went towards the kitchen. “I made pasta. We just need to prepare the salad.”