She searched his face, searched the depths of her own soul, and found the words she needed to say. “You never told me you loved me,” she whispered.
Jack couldn’t take his eyes from hers, couldn’t stop looking at her lovely face because within her gaze he saw everything he’d ever loved about her. Everything he’d longed for in the terrible months he’d been locked away. Everything he’d ever wanted in a life partner. Strength. Courage. The kind of rare and precious love that came once in a lifetime—and only to a lucky, chosen few.
And suddenly, after all the agony and uncertainty of the past year, he knew coming here tonight was the only thing he could have done. He felt the rightness of it all the way to his soul.
He didn’t remember moving, didn’t see her move. But in the next instant her arms were around him, and his mouth was wrestling with hers. She tasted exactly the way he wanted her to taste—like heaven—and the sweetness of the kiss intoxicated him. He held her tighter, remembering all the nights he’d spent alone, all the nights he’d spent wanting her and fearing he would never hold her again.
“I love you, Landis. I’ve always loved you, and I always will. Nothing will ever change that.”
“You taught me to trust my heart,” she said. “And now I know that when it comes to you, my heart will never steer me wrong.”
“Hearts never lie.” Pulling back slightly, he reached into the pocket of his parka and pulled out the wrapped present. “I thought we might celebrate Christmas a couple of days early.”
She reached for the box, shook it. “I don’t have to wait until Christmas morning?”
“Not on your life.”
Smiling, she tugged at the delicate gold bow. The paper fell away to reveal a tiny velvet box. Her fingers trembled when she opened it. And her heart simply burst. She stared at the small, but exquisitely cut diamond ring. “Oh, Jack…it’s stunning.” She laughed. “I’m stunned.”
“I think there’s something to be said for keeping a woman on her toes.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes when she looked up at him. “You’re proposing?”
“That’s generally the idea when a man gives a diamond ring to the woman he loves.”
She punched him good-naturedly on the shoulder, but the breath she let out shuddered.
“Now might be a good time to say yes.” Tilting his head, he kissed her mouth, her temple, the tip of her nose. “That is, if you’re interested.”
“I’m interested. But only if it’s forever.”
“Love is forever, Landis.”
Lifting her hand, he slipped the ring on to her finger. Her hand trembled when she held it out. The diamond glinted like a star between them. “It’s beautiful and perfect.”
“I take it that’s a yes?”
“An unequivocal yes.” Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him on the mouth.
Jack returned the kiss, loving the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her on his tongue. He closed his eyes against the hot burst of emotion that moved through him when she put her arms around his neck.
He didn’t know if the tears he tasted on her lips were his or hers. But he drank them in, knowing they didn’t matter because they were tears of joy. He could feel that joy welling inside him, like a fountain overflowing, and he reveled in the sensation.
Lifting her off her feet, he held her tightly and spun her in a tight circle. When she laughed, he joined her. The sound of their laughter mingled to form a single note that spoke of simple human joy. And the sound of their happiness echoed through the cabin, the peaceful place they would soon call home.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8101-5
MIDNIGHT RUN
Copyright © 2003 by Linda Castillo
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Linda Castillo, Midnight Run
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