the best plan.” He left out the two domestic disturbances he and Levi responded to, as well as the failed robbery. Owen wanted to stack the deck in his favor. His job didn’t weigh in the plus column.
“I have feeling you left out a few things.”
“Smart lady.” He glanced at her. “Some things I won’t be able to tell you.”
“I understand. You don’t look like you’re injured.”
“I’m fine.” If you didn’t count the bruise on his ribs from the combative husband who’d beaten his wife and objected to being arrested for domestic assault. The bruise would be gone soon.
He turned the conversation to her guests as he drove to the Rocking M. Everything was ready. He just hoped he didn’t blow this.
Thirty minutes later, Owen parked in front of his family home. After opening Gigi’s door and assisting her from the vehicle, he retrieved the banana pudding and handed her the bread basket. “My brothers are around back. We’ll set these on the food table.”
Gigi frowned. “Food table? We’re having dinner with your brothers, not throwing a party.”
He laid his hand against her lower back and urged her forward. They walked around the side of the house.
Gigi stopped abruptly, her jaw dropping. “Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?”
Natalie and Pete Warren hugged Gigi after Emma took the bread basket from her hands. “We wanted to surprise you,” Natalie said. “We’ve missed you, sweetie.”
“Owen and I planned to visit you in a few weeks.”
“We still want you to come, honey,” Pete said.
“Whatever the reason you came, I’m thrilled to see you.”
“Gigi!”
She turned with a broad smile when she saw Toni and Ellis. “When did you return from your honeymoon?”
Toni’s eyes sparkled with happiness. “Last night. Ellis has to work Monday, and he wants to move my clothes into his apartment.”
Owen kissed the top of Gigi’s head. “I’ll set this on the table and be right back.”
Emma’s dog, Daisy, followed Owen to the table where his brothers had congregated.
“You ready?” David asked, voice low.
“I’m close to losing my lunch. What does that tell you?”
His brothers chuckled. “You’ve got this, bro,” Caleb said. “She loves you.”
“Yeah, but enough to marry me despite my job?”
“Gigi’s strong,” Elliot said. “She can handle it.”
But did she want to deal with danger and uncertainty for a lifetime?
“Get on with it,” Levi muttered. “I’m starving.”
More laughter from the rest of the Montgomery brothers.
Owen figured he would be more nervous if he put this off longer. He crossed the yard to Gigi’s side again. He glanced at her parents, nodded, then wrapped his hand around Gigi’s and drew her into the center of the circle of guests. Conversations around the yard stopped.
He raised Gigi’s hand to his mouth, kissed the back of it, and got down on one knee.
“Owen?” Gigi’s voice trembled.
“The first time I saw you at the football game in high school, you drew me like a moth to the flame. You were, and are, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. More than that, you have an innate kindness and intelligence that I admired then and now. With one smile, you changed my world. I should have jumped at the chance to start a relationship with you right then. Instead, I chose to wait until I’d completed my military service. Throughout the years, you were my light in the darkness, Gigi. Your letters and phone calls gave me strength to keep going. I fought to survive so I could come home to you.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks. Oh, man. Was he doing this wrong? Determined to say everything he’d planned so she’d know how much she meant to him, Owen doggedly continued. “I’ll never understand why you waited so many years for me to come home, but I’ll always be grateful you did. I love you with every beat of my heart, Virginia Warren. I love your smile, your laughter, your sense of humor, and your stubbornness.”
Their family and friends laughed. When Gigi smiled, some of his tension eased. “I need you, baby. You enable me to be a better man. I want a home with you, one filled with love and laughter. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes!” Gigi sank to her knees as their audience clapped and cheered. She wrapped her arms around Owen’s neck and drew him down for a long, deep kiss.
Thank God. Owen held her tight. When he finally eased back, he pulled her engagement ring from his pocket and slid it onto her finger. “If you’d prefer something else, we’ll exchange it.”
Gigi shook her head. “It’s perfect. I love the ring. I love you, Owen Montgomery. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Now came the hard part. “I’m glad you said that because I don’t want a long engagement, G. If you need one, I’ll deal.” Somehow. “The truth is, I don’t want to be apart from you anymore.”
“How soon did you want to get married?”
“Tonight.”
She gaped. “I don’t have a dress.”
“Actually, honey, I brought the dress you’ve always wanted to wear for your wedding,” Natalie said.
“You brought Grandmother’s dress?”
Her mother nodded. “It’s your size, Gigi.”
Gigi turned back to Owen. “What about the honeymoon?”
“It’s planned. The jet’s waiting for us at the airstrip. David and Emma have agreed to fill in for you at the B & B. Your pastor is waiting for a phone call. He can be here in ten minutes with the marriage license.” He kissed her gently. “Say yes, baby. Take a leap into the unknown with me.”
Her beautiful smile took his breath away. “Yes.”
Owen froze. Had he heard that right or did he imagine the response he desperately wanted. “Yes?”
She nodded.
Joy exploded inside Owen. Without looking away from his bride, he said, “David, make the call. We’re getting married tonight.” With cheers and wolf whistles ringing in his ears, Owen captured Gigi’s mouth with his. Time to marry the woman of his dreams and start their life together.
After years of waiting, this was the right time. Their time.
About the Author
Rebecca Deel is a preacher’s kid with a black belt in karate. She teaches business classes at a private four-year college outside of Nashville, TN. She plays the piano at church and runs interference for the family dogs. She’s been married to her amazing husband for more than 30 years and is the proud mom of two grown sons. She delivers occasional devotions to the women’s group at her church and conducts seminars in personal safety, money management, and writing. Her articles have been published in ONE Magazine, Contact, and Co-Laborer. Rebecca completed the Doctor of Arts degree in Economics and wears her favorite Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt when life turns ugly.
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