Page 70 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

“But what about all of the work you put into this house? I can’t ask you to sell it.”

“You aren’t asking me. I’m offering. But I need to be clear with you that even though I did all of the paperwork, the house isn’t officially on the market. I wanted to wait until we talked before I gave the final go ahead.”

“What do you want me to say?”

He pulled the diamond ring from his pocket and dropped to one knee. “Brooke, I love you. You’ve had me under your spell since the first day when we both spilled the coffee.”

Her eyes lit up. “You finally admit your part in it?”

He smiled. “I do.”

“Hey, you’re jumping too far ahead. Aren’t we supposed to get engaged before you say those words.”

His smile broadened. “Are you going to let me get on with it?”

She quietly nodded.

“Now where was I?” It took him a moment to remember his well-rehearsed words. “With every day that has passed, I’ve fallen more in love with you. I can’t imagine my future without you in it.” He raised the ring to her. “I’ve asked you before, and I might have gotten ahead of myself. Now I would like to ask you again to marry me, and this time we will plan every step together. I won’t rush you. I promise. Will you marry me?”

Tears spilled onto her cheeks as a smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger, where it would stay for a very long time. And then he straightened and pulled her into his arms.

He gazed down at her. “I love you. And I will wait for you.”

“I love you too. And I won’t make you wait forever. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise.” And then he lowered his head and claimed her lips with his own. This time they would get it right.

Epilogue

A year and a half later, Christmas Eve, San Francisco, California

This was the moment she’d been waiting for.

And she didn’t want it to end.

Brooke looked into the full-length mirror at her wedding gown. It was a traditional full-length gown. The white satin skirt was trimmed with a deep holiday red satin ribbon. And the sleeveless, fitted bodice was also trimmed with the same red satin. Both the bodice and skirt were handsewn with crystals that caught the light and made them sparkle.

It had taken months for the dress to be ordered and delivered. Logan said it didn’t matter. The only thing he wanted was this day to be extra special for her. And he had totally kept his word.

He’d waited more than a year for this wedding, meeting her family and letting Brooke plan to her heart’s content. And then a compromise was reached so that her whole family could attend. Being farmers, that meant it had to be between the harvest and planting season. And so both she and Logan, together, chose Christmas Eve.

She couldn’t think of a better way to usher in her favorite holiday than to marry the man of her dreams and to be surrounded by her family and friends. Of course, she did have to compromise on the location. Instead of having a beach wedding, they’d decorated the Seabreeze Wedding Chapel with garland, poinsettias, and candles. It was festive and yet cozy.

Selena entered the room at the back of the chapel. “Are you ready?”

Brooke smiled brightly. “Most definitely.” When she noticed Selena’s face creased with worry lines, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” The answer came much too quickly. “And how are you?”

Brooke smiled again. “Deliriously happy. Everything is right this time.”

“Are you ready to walk down the aisle?”

Brooke nodded. “I am. I really am.”

“You sound so confident. Are you trying to tell me you aren’t just a little bit nervous about your big moment?”

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