Page 95 of Shape Of My Heart
“Amy…”
It was the first time any woman, except his mother and Clarissa, had ever told him that they loved him. He’d never even been lied to because all the women he’d been with weren’t looking for love. Neitherwashe.
Until her, until Amy. He found lovewithher.
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me for not believing you straightaway when I should have.” She covered her mouth as she started to cry. He rushed over to her and pulled her in, holding her close to his heart. In that moment, he promised himself he would never lethergo.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” he said against her hair, absorbing the sweet fragrance of her and savoring the feel of having his girl back in his arms. “I love you so much, and I want to tell you thateveryday.”
She pulled away so she could look up at him. “Josh, I have to tell yousomething.”
“What is it?” He looked down into her beautiful eyes wondering what she could wanttosay.
“I’ve loved you for alongtime.”
He thought of the times when he hoped that she could love him and it warmed his heart to know that she did. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he breathed, stroking the soft skin along herjawline.
“I was scared, and I thought that it would scare you away,” she answered, trying to hold back tears. “I never thought that you couldloveme.”
“And all this time I did. Baby, why would youthinkthat?”
“I just thought I’d never be enough for you.” She lifted her shoulders and pulled in abreath.
He shook his head at her. “Kansas,” he chuckled. He hadn’t called her that in awhile. She laughed and he relished the sound of her sweetlaughter.
“Yes, yourmajesty?”
“Hey, I was never aware of you calling me that, but it does have a good ring to it. Amy.” He held her gaze. “You’re everything. My life doesn’t get much better than this. My life doesn’t get much betterthanyou.”
As she smiled, he leaned forward to kiss her and immerse himself in the euphoric elation of havingherback.
But…there was one last thing he had to do and he was feeling a lot better aboutdoingit.
* * *
Amy’s skintingled withhappiness.
Finally, she’d faced her fears and could put aside everything she’d ever worried about. She knew now she’d never have to worry about suffering the same fate as her mother, because unlike her father, Josh loved her. And, like him, she’d tell him she loved himeveryday.
She melted into his kiss, and when he pulled away she saw the love that filled his eyes and melted even more. She remembered the day of the first game, when she’d thought she’d never have what Gage and Evie had. But she didn’t realize then that she did. She was just too scared toseeit.
He took her hand, held it up, andshookit.
“I guess now we know what this is. This thing between us that’s kept us going.” He smiledwidely.
“Yes, we do.” Itwaslove.
“So, we should do something about that,right?”
“Yes, I agree. What do you have in mind?” She giggled. “We should write it down on paper and sign it, forreferences.”
“Exactly. But I have a better idea.” His blue-green eyes sparkled with delight as he stretched outherhand.
Amy stared at him waiting to hear his idea, and could have just about fainted from shock when she watched him lower to one knee and produced a small, pink, velvet box from the back pocket of hisjeans.
She brought up her hands to her cheeks and drew in asharpgasp.
Her heart pounded within her chest as she watched him open the box and reveal a tiny, ever so delicate ring with an oval-cut diamond centered in the middle, reflecting the light with brilliance and flashing a spectrum of colors as itsparkled.
