Page 86 of Forever Fickle

“What the…”

“I want my bride showered in roses every chance I get…” Jace smiled shyly at her, pulling her hand to his lips and kissing her finger where the ring sat. “And when we walk down the aisle? I want those petals laid before you… because you are everything to me.”

“Where did you get…”

“I brought them,” Jace replied, frowning. “Don’t ask, because if you know the secrets, it ruins the magic.”

Karen burst out laughing – as well as the people on the row in front of them, the flight attendants, and the people behind them.

“No more questions,” she smiled shyly, meeting Jace’s proud gaze.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Karen replied, reaching up to touch his face while her hand still lay on his heart. “I want you for mine, too.”

Jace rose up out of his seat, beaming, as he made his announcement.

“She’s gonna marry me!”

Applause surrounded them as Karen tugged him back down, and they accepted the champagne from the attendants. The two of them were both smiling broadly, had eyes only for each other, and spent the entire flight kissing, holding each other, and making plans.

CHAPTER24

KAREN

She was in heaven!

Landing in Hartford, Karen knew that nothing would ever be the same again in her life… and welcomed it. Jace was so sweet, so indulgent, and thoughtful, that it was touching. He was telling everyone from the rental car agent to the attendant in baggage claim that Karen had agreed to marry him.

There was something incredible at having him at her side, too. He was just there, like she had met the person who made her feel like she could do anything… her rock.

She should have been nervous about being in an unknown place, driving on roads that she didn’t know, stressed about getting to her location late at night, or meeting Jace’s family… but none of that was there. Instead, she found herself looking forward to the next step, and the one after that.

The time flew by as they drove – and before she knew it? They were pulling up in front of a house. All the homes back in Texas were older ranch houses or in the really old parts of town; you might see some gingerbread style homes… but this was different.

It was a colonial home… and breathtaking.

The front of the house was covered in bricks, just like back home, but there was so much more too. The trim, awnings, and sides of the home looked like they were wooden or covered in siding… but there was also a garden room or conservatory.

For a moment, it reminded her of Clue… wondering if she should beware of the lead pipe or the candlestick.

Karen smiled nervously, seeing a few people pouring out of the front door as they pulled up to the house.

“They are going to love you…” Jace said proudly, smiling, as he opened his car door and hopped out, rushing over to her side. He held her door and took her hand, and she hoped he didn’t notice how much it was trembling in that moment.

She looked at his smile, then glanced at his family as they approached, and nodded. This was important to him – which meant it needed to be important to her.

“Hi Lindsey, Jim, and you must be Jana…” Karen said, drawing strength from Jace and feeling like she was addressing her classroom on open house at that moment.

She barely knew these people, yet they were looking at her… waiting.

“Ahhhh!! Jace, you big dork! How’d you land her?” the young woman screamed happily, rushing over to throw herself at Jace, her arms wrapping around his neck as she hugged him.

Jace stumbled for a moment, laughing, and looked at Karen before hugging the miniature version of him.

“Jana, this is Karen… Karen, this is my little pest of a sister, Jana.”

“Big pest…” Jana corrected, grinning, turning to hug Karen too. “I’m a hugger. We all are. Get ready for being a part of the Sorensen clan, missy.”

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