Or I could fly into Quentin’s arms and never leave again.
I liked the second option better, but there was a lesson in this house.
I reached for my bag but then heard another knock. “Someone’s at the door again.”
Sabrina glowered. “Seriously? We told him to get lost.”
I squared my shoulders and walked back to the door. My heart beat faster this time like I needed adrenaline to scream, but then as I flung open the door, I stared into the right brown eyes. “Quentin.”
He took a step in, and once again my body melted. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
I’d pictured going to him a million ways, but him showing up in Pittsburgh somehow made him more real.
I couldn’t look away, even though there was a slight burst of my bubble when Sabrina called out, “Guess the trip is canceled!”
My bare house wasn’t something I expected to discuss. I rubbed my temples and waved behind me to my best friend. “Quentin, this is Sabrina.”
He shook her hand, and I looped my arms around his forearm. He glanced at me. “Can I have a minute alone with you?”
We had the same thoughts. I nodded and pointed to the steps. “Yes. Of course. Come upstairs.”
Sabrina headed in, hopefully, to drink her coffee and wait so we could sort out what happened.
I was aware Quentin was behind me though, and my hips swung a little more.
My mind couldn’t place why he’d be here, though. I was in a haze as I guided him to my bedroom that didn’t have a bed anymore as I’d given every piece of furniture to charity this morning.
He closed the door and awareness rushed through me of him. I swallowed. “Kara, I bought a practice in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.”
That explained nothing, but I was trembling on the inside. I rocked a little but stared up at him. “Quentin, I was about to fly to France and find you.”
He took my hands, and there it was. My nerve endings sparked into my soul, and I knew I needed to tell him everything.
“You were?”
A tear escaped my eye. He was here, and that was all that should matter. “You can say no, but I wanted to tell you…”
I love you.
The words didn’t come easy; I wasn’t sure I should love him.
He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I flew to Pittsburgh to tell you I love you and want you with me. I don’t think my license transfers to the American system as easily.”
He loved me? Every cell in my body jumped. I’d absolutely not take him from his world, and I shouted, “No!”
“I misunderstood,” he said and let me go.
I tugged his belt loop. I let him think the wrong thing and needed to fix that, too. I clearly couldn’t think near him. “I was fast. I meant I’ll move with you. There is nothing here to keep me. I already sold everything to have a chance and tell you I’m not worthy, but I want to be.”
His face turned red, but he held me again. “Not worthy?”
“I choose the wrong men and bad careers.”
“Kara, you’re perfect for me. I’d never been myself, except with you.”
“Me too. I finished sorting out my life, and I realized I was a coward who hadn’t let her heart decide. I’m done now. I had more stuff than I expected, and it was cheaper to just buy another ticket.”
Stop rambling! I laughed, and that didn’t help as he stared at me confused.
His lips lowered to mine. “So, will you marry me?”
I closed my eyes. “Yes. I love you and want to marry you, if that’s what you want.”
“I want. I love you, too,” he said, and then his lips met mine.
My hands wrapped in his thick dark hair, and I knew I was with the right man.
No one else had ever made me have chills rushing in my veins.
As the kiss ended, I rested my head on his shoulder. I wasn’t ready to let him go, but the air of the drafty house calmed me down. “Come. Let’s go tell Sabrina the trip is off?”
He didn’t let me go right away, and I had butterflies in my stomach. “You said you’d move to France and build a life there?”
This was crazy, but my dream of him was coming true. “Yes, but you’ll have to teach me French. I took Spanish in high school, not that I remember anything. And my sisters are all super busy right now, but they said they’d fly over for the holidays.”
Rambling was not your new normal. I rolled my shoulders like that might make this feeling go away.
He squeezed my ass. “I will happily help you with française.”
I smiled. This was better than I ever thought possible. “Then let’s go.”
“You want to fly today?”
I wish there was something here for us. I had nothing now. “I quit my job, and it’s going to take six months for any visa to happen. Might as well let the countdown begin, but we can get a hotel if you want.”
“We can go,” he said and offered his hand at the top of the step. “My grand-mére wants to meet you.”
His family sounded wonderful. “Okay, but let’s not talk about our bedroom activities.”
I stopped. My friend probably heard that.
Quentin continued. “She’ll probably offer pointers, but yes, let’s not ask for trouble.” As we made it to the bottom step. “Can I borrow your phone?”
“Of course,” I said and handed it over.
“Can I see your ticket?” I pulled up my wallet app and showed him. He nodded. “Let me upgrade you to first class, and you can still bring your friend, so she knows you’re safe. Is she on the same reservation?”
“Yes,” I said, and he kissed my cheek and called the airline. I returned to the kitchen and squealed to my friend. “Sabrina, Quentin and I are getting married!”
She laughed. “Yeah, I’m so happy for you. I guess today’s trip is off.”
I pointed behind me as he walked past the door well. “No. Quentin’s on the phone getting himself a ticket and upgrading ours to first class.”
Her eyes widened. “First class?”
His money just made his life sweeter, but that wasn’t important to how I felt. I lowered my voice. “His family owns this vineyard.”
She craned her neck to stare behind me. “Seriously, why doesn’t he have a brother for me?”
We waited. I’d risked everything to go and follow my heart, and he’d walked in the door.
He gave me a thumbs-up and walked out to help with the bags.
Putting everything I had on the line for Quentin had been worth it. He loved me, too.
Chapter 19
Quentin
Kara in my arms made my life complete.
Marriage only completed my life. Walking the fields with her had been good until we came here.
My parents continued taking Sabrina on the tour, but I guided Kara with me toward the marker.
As I stared down at the white marble cross with his name on it, I widened my stance. “This is Blake’s grave.”
She let go of my arm. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
I reached for her hand. “No. Stay.”
Her eyes wrinkled in a cute way. “Are you sure?”