Page 69 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

Hope bloomed in her chest. A smile threatened to pull at her lips, but she resisted the urge. It was too soon for any of that. “You aren’t mad at me?”

“I was at first, but everyone around me helped me to see things through your eyes.” He paused. Then he reached across the table. His hand covered hers, making her heart pitter-patter. “I’m sorry I rushed you. I was just excited for us to start our life together. Will you forgive me?”

“Oh, yes. Yes, I will.” She turned her hand over, wrapping her fingers around his. While staring deep into his eyes, she said, “I vow to speak up when something is important to me.”

“And I vow to listen to you—not just listen but to truly hear you.”

Her vision blurred with happy tears. She blinked, and the tears splashed onto her cheeks as she smiled at him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He gave her hands a quick squeeze. “Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“Do you trust me?”

She didn’t hesitate when she nodded. “Always.”

“Come on.” He let go of her hand in order to get to his feet. He turned back to her and held out his hand. “It’s a surprise.”

She placed her hand in his as he helped her to her feet. She had no idea what he had in mind, but she was curious to find out.

Chapter Twenty-Three

She loved him.

Logan couldn’t stop smiling. This was all going to work out. He just had to show her that he really had heard what she’d said in her emails. With their coffees in hand, they made their way outside.

They paused on the sidewalk. He glanced at her. “Do you mind if we take my pickup?”

When she shook her head, he guided her down the block a little ways. He opened the door for her and was so tempted to kiss her, but he resisted. There was something he wanted to do first—show her how serious he was about her—about them.

Once they got on the road, he reached out and took her hand in his just like they’d always done in the past. He noticed she was quieter than normal, so he made a point of starting the conversation by asking about her visit with her family.

As she talked about her parents and the farm, she became more animated. She told him about the rooster that would wake her up every morning at the crack of dawn. He wasn’t so sure how he’d feel about waking up to the crow of a rooster.

“I can’t wait for you to meet my family.” She was quiet for a moment, and then hesitantly, she asked, “Will you go to Iowa with me?”

They’d had this conversation before and he’d agreed, but it hadn’t been a specific plan. He decided that needed to change. “Since I didn’t take my vacation time, how about we go for Labor Day weekend?”

As he pulled to a stop at a red light, her head turned to him. Her eyes were rounded, and her mouth gaped. He couldn’t help but smile. It appeared the idea appealed to her.

“I would love it.”

“Do you think you could get the time off?”

“I… I don’t know, but I’ll talk to Clara as soon as I can.” The smile on her beautiful face lit up her eyes, making them sparkle like diamonds.

The rest of the ride they talked about their upcoming trip and what they could do while in Iowa. She had so many things she wanted to show him. He never thought he’d be excited about visiting the Midwest, but Brooke’s enthusiasm was contagious.

When he pulled to a stop, she stopped talking and looked around. “What are we doing at your place? Is Kaylie here?”

He shook his head. “She’s at preschool. You can see her later.”

He got out of the pickup. When he reached her side, she was already out and staring at the new sign in his yard. Her gaze moved from it to him and back again.

“I don’t understand.” Her eyes shone with confusion. “You’re selling your house?”

He nodded. “I am. Remember how I vowed to hear you?” When she nodded, he said, “I heard what you said in your emails. I need to let go of the past so that we can build a future together.”

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