Decker's Daughter - Caroline Lee Page 0,31

one knee in front of her, he reached for the gift wrapped in purple paper on the table. The box was big, and the top was wrapped separately for easy access.

He’d been planning this for a while.

“I know this kind of thing usually comes with a ring, Bobbi Rae…”

She gasped, and her hands flew to her mouth when he lifted the present to place in front of her.

“But I thought long and hard over what I could give you when I popped the question. Again.” He winced slightly, but pushed on. “Remember how I said those sandals you were wearing didn’t provide any support?”

With a nervous little giggle, she reached out and tugged on the big lavender bow, and pulled the top of the box off the gift.

“Bobbi Rae Diamon, will you make me the happiest man alive, and agree to be my wife?”

Her fingers shook as she reached into the box and pulled out a pair of purple cowboy boots. He’d dyed the leather himself and embellished them with glittering accents. And he knew they’d fit perfectly, because he’d used one of her sandals—the one which had been left in his beat-up truck after her accident—as a guide.

“Oh, Decker,” she whispered breathlessly, as she lifted out the second pair of boots.

These were identical to hers, but smaller. He’d sized them to fit CJ, based on a pair of her sneakers he’d secretly measured when he’d been at their house.

When Bobbi met his eyes, his chin dropped in a little nod. “You and CJ, you’re a matched set, a package deal. I’m not just asking you to be my wife, but I’m asking you to let me be her father. I love you, Bobbi Rae, but I love her too. Cora Jo or Charity Juliana or Corey Joelle or Catrina Joanne or whoever she wants to be tomorrow.”

With a little sob, Bobbi sat the miniature boots to the side, then launched herself forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him as she cried.

And even though it was awkward to kneel there on the hardwood floor of the attic, supporting both of them, Decker wrapped his arms around her back and held her as her tears wet the side of his neck.

This was what love was all about. This was the sickness and health Pastor Dinkleheimler was always going on about, and the richness and poorness. This was what it meant to love someone so much, your heart broke for them, or your soul soared when they were joyful.

Her tears didn’t last long, and she pulled back, still sniffling, with a big smile on her face.

“I love you, Decker Cauldron,” she sniffled. “I would be beyond honored to become your wife.”

“And CJ?”

“She’ll be thrilled to become your daughter.”

A daddy.

He was going to become CJ’s daddy!

His arms tightened around her. “I love you, Bobbi Rae.”

One of her hands wiped at her cheeks, even as the other tugged his head down to hers. “I can’t wait to spend a lifetime with you.”

And as his lips met hers—soft and sweet and wonderful—Decker was smiling.

Because he had a wedding to plan in order to make this woman his!

Chapter 9

“Do I look okay, Mama?”

Bobbi was surprised how tightly she was gripping her daughter’s hand. They were standing in the little vestibule of the church, waiting for the preacher to give the signal.

When she looked down at CJ, Bobbi’s heart melted, and despite her fancy white dress, she sank to her knees right there in front of the little girl.

“Oh, baby, you look so pretty,” she whispered, her voice rough with unshed tears. “I’m so proud to be your mama.”

CJ switched her little bouquet to squeeze into the hand currently holding Bobbi’s, and lifted her other palm to her mother’s cheek.

“You look prettier,” the little girl said in a solemn voice. “I’m glad you’re marrying Decker.”

Swallowing down her tears—of joy, she assured herself—Bobbi nodded. “I am too. And I know he’s thrilled to become your daddy.”

“You think so?” CJ dropped her hand and stepped back, staring down at herself. “I wanted to look nice enough for him.”

Oh, baby.

“He loves you, no matter how you’re dressed, honey. But yes, he’s going to think you’re the prettiest little girl he’s ever seen.”

CJ was dressed in a frilly white gown, which fell down past her knees, and wore a crown of purple flowers in her hair, which matched their bouquets. In fact, she and Bobbi matched almost exactly, except Bobbi’s crown had a white veil attached to the