Page 91 of Here With Me

“Go get him, girl!” Romee’s voice held a hint of laughter as Sadie jogged across the street toward her parents’ house.

Her mom stood out front. “He’s inside. But I’d hurry if I were you. He didn’t want to stay. Said you needed some time.”

Sadie stopped at the top of the steps and turned back to her mom. “I’ve had ten years. How much more time do I need?”

Inside, the lights in the entryway were off, but a warm glow came from the family room. Leaving her jacket on the coat rack, Sadie slid her shoes off and left them next to David’s.

A hand on her stomach, she took a deep breath. If she’d known that David would profess his love today, that she’d get a third chance at this relationship, she wouldn’t have used dry shampoo for the third day in a row. At least Romee had handed her the peppermint.

In the family room, the fire crackled, and candles filled the space. A fuzzy blanket sat on the floor with some pillows, the promised hot cocoa in a thermos, two mugs, and a plate of cookies.

David stood in front of the fire, leaning his arm on the mantel. His shoulders sagged, and his eyes were closed, almost like he was praying.

A few heartbeats passed, but he didn’t move. “David?”

His head shot up, and he took her in. His arm dropped to his side, and he straightened his shoulders. “I’m sorry. I told your mom you needed time?—”

“I don’t need more time.” Sadie stepped into the room, closing the distance between them. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I…” She let out a breath. “Honestly, you couldn’t have surprised me more if you tried.”

“I meant every word.”

“I know.” Sadie gestured toward the fuzzy blanket and pillows her sisters had laid out. She had to hand it to them, they had created the perfect setting. “Want some cocoa?”

Sadie settled on the blanket with David next to her. She filled a mug and handed it to him. When his fingers brushed hers, heat crept up her arm.

“Is that the mug I bought you at Cedar Point?”

Sure enough. Romee must not have thrown it out. Probably used it on purpose today. “Yeah. I’ve kept it all these years.”

A wide smile spread over David’s face. “That was a good day. I fell in love with you as you looked through the gift store. It’s why I bought the mug, because that was the moment I knew you were it for me.”

“We’d only been on a few dates. You knew that early?”

“Yeah. I did. And I was stupid to fight it.”

He slid closer, and the oxygen must have been pulled from the room. Sadie’s breathing became shallow as David closed the space between them, his eyes tracing her face, her skin heating.

“You have a new dream? A new path?” Her breathy voice didn’t hide her nerves. She set her cocoa down. David didn’t need hot cocoa spilled all over him. He set his mug next to hers.

“An option. But a future with you—that’s my dream.”

“David…” Sadie’s entire body buzzed with energy, excitement. She extended her hand to him, and he held it, pressing it against his chest, over his heart which pounded beneath her palm.

“Please let me finish.” He cupped her face with his other hand. “I want to say I’m sorry again. Before I say anything else, I’m sorry for pushing you away ten years ago. I’m sorry for hurting you when I broke up with you. I’m sorry for not talking with you about Costa Rica. For everything that happened that night Lottie disappeared. I’m not perfect, not by a long shot, but I am willing to apologize and to try again. And again. Sadie, I love you. I love you enough to ask forgiveness. To try again. However many times I mess up.”

His words settled over her. Warm, comforting, better than any she’d dreamed of. “I love you, David Williams.” She brushed her lips to his in just a whisper of a kiss. The look on his face gave her a thrill, sending a shiver down her spine.

He pulled her closer. “Are you cold?”

“Not even close.”

Heat flashed in his gaze, but he leaned back, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. “I want to tell you about an offer from Nate.”

Sadie picked up her cocoa and took a sip. “I’m all ears.”

“I want you to know that I’m in for the long haul. I want it all—marriage, Lottie, all of it.” David took her mug, set it back down, then cupped her cheek again, his hand slowly moving to the back of her neck, gently massaging as he spoke. “Nate said the church is looking for a youth pastor. I haven’t accepted anything, I wanted to talk things over with you. Make a decision together, be a team.”

A team. Sadie squeezed David’s hand. “Say it again.”

---