The By Request Collection. Kate HardyЧитать онлайн книгу.
face brightened, and she smiled. “I love you too, Brooks. This isn’t a passing thing for me. This is the real deal.”
Thank God.
He didn’t need the mistletoe above their heads for permission to kiss her. He circled his arms around her waist and brought her up against him. Her chin tilted, and he gazed into the most stunning pair of dark eyes he’d ever seen. The glow in them promised more than he could ever hope for. Ruby was going to be his. And then his mouth came down on hers, meeting her flesh to flesh. Her soft lips slid over him exquisitely. Her petite body, all five-foot-two of her, crushed against him and put his brain in jeopardy of shutting completely down.
He broke the kiss to her defiant whimper and then dipped down to lift her. Her brows arched in question, but she didn’t stir otherwise. Her arms automatically roped around his neck, and he carried her to a chair beside the sizzling fire. A log broke apart, and golden flames climbed the height of the fireplace, bringing intense heat. He sat down in the warmth, and Ruby wiggled in his lap. But Brooks had to contain his lust for just a few more seconds. “Ruby, I thought I’d blown it with you. Foolishly I left town without telling you how I felt about you. Maybe I shouldn’t have had Trace investigated...”
“You think?”
“Okay, I get it. It wasn’t my business to interfere, but I was trying my best to protect you from getting hurt again. Ever since the night we met at the C’mon Inn, when that guy was pestering you, I’ve had this need to protect you.”
“Are you apologizing?”
“For not trusting in you? Yes. You’re more than capable of making up your own mind about things.”
She gently took his hand in hers and stroked his fingers, sending tingles up and down his arm. “I didn’t mind the first time, Brooks. I thought it was really kinda sweet of you, coming to my rescue. You didn’t know me, and still you were willing to help me. But with Trace, it was different. I really don’t want to talk about him anymore tonight. It’s over and done with. I know in my heart you had good intentions.”
“I did and I still do, sweetheart. Actually, you call me Galahad, but in truth, you’re the rescuer in this duo. You’ve saved me, Ruby. From the very moment I met you, my life changed. I’ve become a better person, a more tolerant man, because of you. I came here looking for my true father and found a new way of life, as well. I’ve discovered something within me that I wouldn’t have realized if not for you. You taught me about the ranch and how things work in the country, but you also helped ease the pain of my past. Coming with me to meet my grandfather for the first time meant a lot. That was a hard reunion, but having you there comforting me and showing me how to let go worked miracles for me. You helped me turn away from the past and look forward. To the future. You gave me something special that day. You made me see what my life could be.”
He lifted her fingertips and kissed each one. Just looking at her filled his heart with so much joy, he could hardly think straight. “I’ve always felt something was missing in my life. I thought it was because of my childhood. I thought it was because I never knew my father. In a sense, that’s true. I missed knowing Beau as a boy, having his guidance and love, but I’ve come to realize I’ve also missed this place. Look Away and Texas. It feels right being here, with you. I’ve known only city life, but now that I’m here, I don’t want to leave. I’m going to work it out so that I can stay closer to my family. The company is in good hands. I can run it long-distance.”
“You’re staying?” The hope in Ruby’s voice swelled his heart.
“I want to, yes. I hear there are some pretty nice ranches for sale close by.” Brooks rose with Ruby still in his arms. Her warmth mingled with his, and as soon as he lowered her down and her feet touched the floor, he felt the loss. “I went to your place looking for you. And nearly died when I couldn’t find you.”
“I had a surprise for you, Brooks.”
“Having you here was the best surprise I could ever hope for,” he said. And then he dropped to one knee and gazed into a pair of astonished eyes as firelight caressed her beautiful face. “Ruby Lopez, I promise to love and cherish and yeah, probably protect you for the rest of my life. I can’t help it. I’ll always be your Galahad.” He fished inside his pocket for the wedding ring he’d brought with him from Chicago, a diamond ring that had once been his Grandma Gerty’s. It was all he had left of the woman who’d taken his family in during a precarious time in their lives.
Brooks held up the ring, and it glistened under the firelight. Clearing his throat, he presented it to her and said, “Ruby, this ring was given to me by my grandmother. She told me one day I’d give it to a special woman. That day has come, sweetheart. I want to give you this ring and along with it, my heart and soul. I ask that you do me the honor of marrying me. Ruby, will you be my wife?”
Tears spilled from Ruby’s eyes, raining down her face without warning. Brooks held his breath, hoping they were happy tears. “I went to Beau and asked for his blessing, Ruby. I asked him for your hand in marriage, and he was touched and happy for us.”
“Oh, Brooks,” she said, grasping his wrists as he rose. “That’s the sweetest thing...”
Facing her now, he stared into her eyes, waiting patiently for her answer. “Ruby?”
She began nodding quickly, the tears still trekking down her cheeks. “Yes, Brooks. I’ll marry you. I’ll be your wife.”
He laughed, and the sound of his relief and joy filled the room. “You had me worried there, sweetheart.”
“No, no. It’s just that I didn’t expect this.”
Using the pads of his thumbs, he wiped at her tears, carefully drying her eyes. Cupping her face, he said softly, “I didn’t expect it, either. It happened so darn fast, but it’s the right thing. For both of us. I promise you, Ruby, we’ll have a great life.”
“I know we will.” And then she took his hand and walked him over to the scraggly Christmas tree. Turning to face him, she smiled sweetly. “You’ve given me this beautiful ring and a promise of your love. It’s a wonderful gift, and now I have a gift for you, my sweet love.” She handed him a small box decorated with snowmen and reindeer wrapping paper. “Merry Christmas.”
He lifted the lightweight box in his hands and jiggled it. Nothing moved. He shot her a glance. She gave nothing away, and he had no idea what she was up to, but her expression was hopeful, and her eyes positively beamed. “Let’s see,” he said, ripping away the wrapping and opening the small box. After separating the tissue paper, he lifted out a small white garment.
“It’s called a onesie,” Ruby said softly.
Puzzled, Brooks read the printed saying on the front. “Future Look Away Ranch Wrangler.”
He blinked. And blinked again. Normally he wasn’t slow on the uptake, but this...this was like a lightning bolt striking his heart. Something else lay at the bottom of the box. Cute, small, adorable tan leather baby boots.
He stared at them for a second. “A baby? Ruby,” he said, tears burning the backs of his eyes so hard he could barely get the words out, “are we having a baby?”
She began nodding her head. “Yes. We’re going to have a baby, Brooks.”
Joy burst inside him, and his face stretched wide as he grinned. Thankfully he didn’t shed tears, but his emotions were off the charts. “A baby...” he said, awed, as he pulled Ruby back into his arms and kissed her cheek, her chin and finally her lips. “It’s the best Christmas gift in the world.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I think so, too. But I wasn’t sure how you’d feel...”
“I love you, Ruby.” He set his hand very gently on her belly. “And I love our baby already. I couldn’t be happier. To have you and our child in my life, it’s a dream come true.”
“I love you, too. You’ll be a great father, Brooks.”