Page 48 of A Ranger for Christmas
She gripped handfuls of his shirt. “I’m too mean to die.” His shirt felt smooth against her cheek. “I love you.”
He pulled her back and studied her face. “Did you hear what you just said?”
She nodded. “I meant it. I love you, Lucas. I loved you in Mexico. And I think that’s what scared me.”
“I love you. Marry me. Now.”
She rose on tiptoes and kissed him. Excitement hummed through her body. “It’s Christmas Eve.”
“I can find someone.”
“I’d like my dad and stepmother to be there. And Sherry and the boys.”
“That can be arranged.”
She laughed. “If you can make it happen, cowboy, I’m there. I’m ready for new Christmas memories.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Christmas Eve, 7:00P.M.
Lucas Cooper’s booted feet clipped hard against the tiled floor of Garrison Hall. Two teaching assistants spotted him, but their smiles died instantly when they saw his dark expression.
Not bothering to remove his hat, he moved past them and a collection of colored lights decorating the entrance and climbed the steps to the second floor two at a time. His entire focus rested on one thing: finding Marisa. Memories of arriving home and finding it dark and empty still haunted him and set his heart to racing anew. When he’d called out her name and she’d not answered, he’d called her cell. The instant her phone had gone to voice mail, he’d thought the worst as he’d raced toward her campus office. He’d already decided if he didn’t find her here, he’d put out an all-points bulletin.
At the second floor landing, he spotted the light in her office. Relief doused the dread. “Damn it,” he muttered.
He found her at her desk hunched over a collection of photographs that she’d taken during the spring dig at her Mayan ruin. They’d taken a belated two-week honeymoon in Mexico, one week on the beach and the second week exploring her ruins. She’d taken thousands of pictures.
As he moved toward her ready to scold he saw her hand slide to her very pregnant belly. She winced and the color in her cheeks faded from rosy to ashen white.
“Get your coat, Marisa. The doctor says you aren’t supposed to be here.”
She looked up, took several deep, even breaths, and nodded. “I know. I hadn’t planned to come in to work today. I’d planned to rest, but I had a breakthrough while I was napping today.”
He crossed to her desk in three quick strides and closed her laptop. “We’re leaving now. Doc says no more work until the baby is born.”
Her lips flattened into a thin line radiating a mixture of frustration and pain. “I’m nearly done.”
“Don’t care, darlin’.” He took her gently by the elbows and helped her to her feet. She leaned into him heavily, a sign she was exhausted. His tone softened. “You can take the laptop home and work. But you need to be in bed. Baby’s due any day.”
She smiled and smoothed her hand over her belly. “That’s what the doctor said last week.”
“Coopers are always on time,” he teased. “This baby has inherited his late timing from you.”
“I’m on time. For the most part.” She snatched up her satchel and tucked her laptop inside it as he wrapped her coat around her shoulders.
He took her bag and slung it on his shoulder. “Car’s out front.”
She tossed him a withering glare. “I’m not an invalid. Women have been having babies for millions of years.”
“Don’t care. This is the one and only as far as I’m concerned. Let’s go.”
He guided her slowly out of her office and down the hallway to the main doors. She wasn’t talking or complaining, both signs that she’d overdone it. She loved her work, and he was proud as hell of the passion she had for it. But enough was enough. Time to rest.
He opened the car door, and she lumbered into the seat. He was reaching for the seat belt when she winced again and this time closed her eyes as she breathed quickly.
