Page 63 of The Miracle of Love
“Because I am looking at you…really looking. Taking in every aspect of you, and you are perfect. I am stating it as fact, not trying to flatter you. If I had to make a list of all the things I liked about you and disliked about you, I could not think of a blessed thing to put in the dislike column.”
“But you think I am too soft-hearted and walk with my head in the clouds when it comes to holding out for love.”
“You are those things, but I do not dislike them in you. Actually, it makes me like you more because you believe in yourself and have the strength of character to hold to your convictions.”
“Even if you do not agree with them?”
He nodded. “Yes, even so. I would think much less of you if you had no thoughts of your own and merely parroted mine, or if you allowed others to easily change your mind on matters that are important to you.”
“But you are a man who likes to be in control.”
“On my assignments, yes. These involve dangerous situations and I need to control those as much as possible.” He arched an eyebrow in amusement. “Well, perhaps I like to control my own life and not have others tell me what I should and should not do.”
“Hence your wanting an unobtrusive wife who does not care about you and will not shed a tear if you end up dead face down in a pit of mud.”
“Oh, Grace. Grace. You have the sweetest way of kicking my arse.” He cast her a tender smile. “I may be softening my position on that.”
“Really?”
“Let’s just say I am giving it more thought. Much more thought. Here’s something else I took from the writings in this book, that the perfect match for me is not going to be the same as the perfect match for someone else. Think of it as pieces of a puzzle set out on a table. We come in all shapes and sizes. Only one of those pieces will perfectly fit mine.”
“But the question remains, is that matching piece perfect for you because you can easily control her? What if she does not wish to be controlled?”
“Gad, I am not an ogre. I do not meddle in the lives of friends or family. Of course, I would speak up if I thought one of my loved ones was in danger. But otherwise, it is not my place to insert my opinion. The same goes for the woman I take to be my wife. Who am I to squelch her hopes and dreams? Ridicule her ideas? I do not want to marry a mindless idiot. Perhaps I would be in my own head much of the time, but I would never dismiss her thoughts and opinions.”
She rested her elbows on the table and propped her chin on her hands as she studied him. “Do you wish to know what I think of you?”
He gave a mock groan. “Dare I say yes? Be kind. I have a delicate heart and it bruises easily.”
She gasped with laughter. “You are the most indelicate man of my acquaintance. I could drop a hammer on your head and you would hardly notice. You are confident to the point of irritating. You are handsome to the point of irritating, too.”
“How is that irritating?”
“It just is. You haven’t a single flaw. Even when you are unshaven, you still look like some magnificent Olympian god. It is completely exasperating.”
“Gad, why do your compliments feel like insults?”
“I don’t mean them to be. But you completely overwhelm me. You are smart. Honorable. Brave. You know the world and have experienced everything. You are always right about everything except love. And now, I think you will be right about this, too.”
“Well, as it applies to most women.” He caressed her cheek. “But as for you, I think I must get to know you better because you think more deeply about love and marriage than other women do. So, we must now speak ofyourheart.”
“I would rather we didn’t. It is quite battered at the moment. I’m not sure it can take more bruising.”
“How many times must I tell you? I would never hurt you, Grace.”
She edged forward and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Never on purpose. Finish reading that book. I enjoyed our conversation very much and thought your analysis was very clever. I’ll be here when you are done since I have no place else to be.”
She moved to stand beside the window and study the falling snow.
Blessed saints, the girl was spectacular.
He forced himself to concentrate on the book and flipped the page to the next chapter which spoke about expectations in a marriage. He made quick work of it since Grace had already clobbered him over the head with that one. She expected love in her marriage. Commitment. Friendship. A life built together.
She would be disappointed if he offered her anything less.
He was about to turn to the next chapter, when Grace suddenly gasped and moved away from the window. “Riders are approaching.”
He was on his feet in a trice and had his pistol drawn. “Stay behind me.”
