Page 55 of A Family Affair: The Ring
He inched his hand closer.“Nothing worthwhile ever is.”
“We’re still going to disagree and argue…” Her gaze landed on his ring finger, pictured a gold band on it.
His voice gentled.“No doubt.”
“But if we understand it’s going to happen and we vow that no matter what, we won’t shut each other out…” She placed her hand on the table, eased it toward Will’s.
“Then…?”
Melanie focused on the space separating their hands.“Then we have to decide if we’re worth the risk.”She glanced up at him, blinked back tears.“I’ve been living half a life for too long.”
A nod, a soft “Me, too.”His lips pulled into a smile.“So…?”
She slid her hand closer, stopped when their fingers were almost touching.“So, you’re worth the risk.I love you, Will, no matter how many times I wished I didn’t.”
The smile faded, the blue gaze narrowed.“That’s not exactly a glowing testimony.”
“Oh, but it is.”She captured his hand and entwined her fingers with his.“It’s an I-will-love-you-forever testimony.”
“Oh.”The smile shifted, the blue eyes sparkled, and his voice dipped with emotion.“I like the ‘I-will-love-you-forever’ part.A lot.”
“You should.”She lifted his hand to her lips, kissed each knuckle.Could her heart be any happier, her soul bursting with more joy than—
“I have a small confession.”
Those words suffocated thoughts of joy and happiness, replaced them with caution and dread.Melanie released his hand, straightened and clutched the edge of the table.“What is it?”
The tiniest hesitation before he spoke.“I bought your grandmother’s house.”Pink splashed his cheeks, crept to his forehead.“I know it was presumptuous, but I couldn’t let go of our plan to live here.”Pause and a quiet “When I spoke with your father about the idea, he was supportive, even encouraging, and that gave me hope that maybe you would be too.”
“You spoke with my father about buying the house for us even though we…?”
The pink covering his cheeks shifted to red.“I was desperate, and I had to try, even if you said no.”
He’d risked his pride and his impenetrable vulnerability for her.Because helovedher.Because he wanted a life with her and didn’t care if everyone knew it.Andhe’d spoken with her father.He’d done that for her—because William Joseph Callahan truly loved her.Melanie pushed back her chair, moved to the other side of the table, and eased onto Will’s lap.“I don’t think I’ve ever loved you as much as I do right now.”She brushed her lips over his, once, twice, whispered, “Thank you for not giving up on us.”
“I will never give up on us.”
She trailed kisses along his jaw, sighed.“I’d like to show you how grateful I am, but the Casherdons are expecting me for Thanksgiving dinner, and I promised Cash I’d help with the mashed potatoes.”She pulled back, held his gaze.“I should have been back twenty minutes ago.”
Will fingered the opening of her shirt, raised a brow.“You think Cash had no idea what your surprise is?”
“No, how could he, unless…”
“Unless he and Harry concocted this scheme.I thought it was clever and I was all for it, but I’ll bet they were working together on this one.”
She bet he was right.“Cash is a real softy, but don’t ever tell him I said that.”
“I’m not a fool.After what he and Harry did, I owe them.”
“Maybe you can offer them a lifetime of tax advice?”
He grinned.“For this chance?”Will cupped her chin, eyes bright.“I’d do anything.”
“Then why don’t we get our desserts and head over to Cash and Tess’s?Something tells me they’ll be expecting you.”
“Sure, as long as I can skip the desserts.I’d rather enjoy mine later.”He captured her mouth in a long, slow kiss leaving no doubtshewas the only dessert he wanted.
“I do love the sound of that,” she murmured against his lips.“Maybe this can be a new tradition for us?Thanksgiving dessert in bed?”
