For the Love of Ivy - Cindy Kirk Page 0,59
all the time you need.”
Unexpectedly he captured her hand. “I can’t be this close and not touch you.”
Her breath hitched in her throat. The feel of his calloused hand against hers was pure heaven. The hell was in knowing this was the last time she’d feel his touch. She wanted to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders and never let go. But forever wasn’t an option for them. Had never been an option. She squeezed his hand and offered an encouraging smile anyway.
“When Jan asked for my promise not to marry again until Ivy was out of high school, it took me by surprise. While I knew her mother had remarried when she was a child and that Jan and her stepfather had never gotten along, I hadn’t realized how deeply she’d been scarred. Jan loved Ivy so much. She couldn’t bear to think of her daughter one day being in that same situation.”
Lauren had known motherly love existed, but had never experienced what a driving force it could be until she’d spent time with Ivy. Her heart went out to Jan. How frightening it must have been for her, knowing she was going to die and leave her precious child behind. “She wanted Ivy to always feel special and loved.”
Seth nodded. “I know Jan trusted me to take care of Ivy. She’s always trusted me.” His fingers tightened around Lauren’s hand. “That’s why the more I thought about it, the more I realized I’d been so focused on the promise itself I hadn’t considered the intent of the vow.”
Lauren was now thoroughly confused. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“Jan wanted me to be happy. She wanted Ivy to be happy. From that hospital bed, it must have seemed the only way to ensure our happiness was for me to remain single. But she couldn’t have known about you. She couldn’t have known that there was someone out there who’d one day walk into our lives and bring such joy and happiness to both of us.”
He jerked to his feet, strode to the mantel, then turned. “If she had, I know from the deepest part of my being, she wouldn’t want that promise to keep you from us. The only thing she ever wanted was for Ivy and me to be happy. We’ve found that happiness with you. We both love you, Lauren.”
The tears that had begun filling Lauren’s eyes slipped down her cheeks. She brushed them away with the backs of her hands. While she was afraid to hope for too much, her heart gave an excited leap. “Where do we go from here?”
“That depends.” He resumed his seat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Once you finish your PhD you could go anywhere in the country. Heck, you already have a job—”
“I turned it down.”
“What?”
“It was a career-building opportunity, but that’s not what I want.” Her voice trembled, then broke. She cleared her throat. “Tenure with an Ivy League college was my father’s dream, not mine.”
His eyes searched hers. “What is your dream, Lauren? If you could live anywhere in the world, do anything you wanted, what would you choose?”
He’d asked her that question before, back when she’d encouraged him to pursue his dream of being a vet. At that time she hadn’t known what course she wanted her life to take. This time there was no doubt.
“I want to live in Sweet River, have a small counseling practice, perhaps teach some online courses. I want to be close to my friends.” Lauren paused, praying she wasn’t misreading his signals. She wanted a life with this man and with the little girl she loved as if she were her own. She took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Most of all, I want to be with you. You and Ivy are what I want. I love you both very, very much.”
A smile bright enough to light the state of Montana flashed across his face. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Slipping from the sofa, Seth dropped to one knee and once again took her hand. “Lauren Van Meveren, will you marry me? Will you be my wife and Ivy’s mother?”
Lauren’s heart pounded so hard she could hear the blood rushing in her ears. If she was dreaming, she never wanted to wake up.
“Yes,” she said, then again more loudly in case he hadn’t heard, “Yes. I’d be honored to be your wife... and Ivy’s mother.”
Before she could take a breath, Seth was on his feet, wrapping