“Okay.” Hunter nodded.
To the bewilderment of both Hunter and Sophie, Grant slid off the sofa and sank to one knee, gazing up nervously at his girlfriend as he clasped both her slender hands in his long, capable fingers.
For a split second she looked alarmed, but then her lips parted in a wondrous, joyful smile, and her eyes began glistening with tears before he got out even one word.
“Sophie,” Grant began in a wobbly voice, uncertain whose hands were trembling more. “I’ve been alone all my life. Joe did everything he could to be there for me, but most of the time he was out at sea, and Logan… Well, I never got close to my brother. I thought that’s how life had to be because of my family: lonely. And I’d grown to accept that. But I didn’t know how much I was missing. I didn’t know how miserable I’d been until I met you.”
He smiled warmly, pausing to wipe away a wayward tear on its path down her cheek. “You were such a breath of life, standing there outside our PO’s office. God, I was so stunned by you at first, and then when I got to know you—when I really got to know the amazing person you are—well, I loved you even more. You gave me hope, Sophie. I hadn’t felt hope in a long time. It’s good to feel some hope.”
Speechless, Sophie cried silently as he let go of her hands to extract a square velvet box from the pocket of his White Sox jacket.
Gulping, he gently cracked open the box, revealing a sparkling diamond ring nestled in the satiny black cushion. “Mr. Remington gave me an advance on my pay,” he shyly explained, and Sophie smiled through her tears.
Seeming to emerge from her state of shock, Sophie finally asked, “You’re proposing to me in our psychologist’s office?”
For the first time since getting down on one knee, Grant unlocked his gaze from hers and snuck a peek at Hunter, who was watching with rapt amusement.
“There’s a first time for everything,” Hunter said.
Grant looked up at Sophie, shrugging boyishly. “I considered proposing over a meal of hot dogs and sexy vegetables.” He grinned. “But I thought it might be slightly more romantic to propose during our therapy session. I figured it’d be a unique story to tell our kids.”
She gasped, drawing her hand to cover her mouth. “Yes,” she softly told him, yet he remained still, poised, waiting. “Yes!” she cried more firmly. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”
“But I haven’t asked the question yet,” he pouted.
“Do you want to get married or not, McSailor?”
Smiling, he leaned in closer, plucking the ring out of its casing as he cast his dazzling blue eyes up to meet hers. “I do, Bonnie. And do you want to marry me?”
The hand perched indignantly on her hip dropped into her lap, and her tears began falling again. Simultaneously crying and laughing, she rasped, “I do.” With one graceful motion, he slid the diamond onto her finger, where it would remain for quite a long time. For as long as they both would live.
Their kiss was soft yet passionate, weaving them tightly together. Hands caressed, lips compressed, and faces flushed. Two did not become one, but rather two came together—each one strong, healthy, and resilient, making the whole steadfast and true. They didn’t lose themselves in each other, but found themselves in each other instead.
Slightly embarrassed to witness such a tender kiss, Hunter stood up and playfully made the sign of the cross over the couple, blessing their merger. Grant caught the motion from the corner of his eye and began chuckling, grasping Sophie’s ring-laden hand while he pulled himself back onto the sofa next to her.
“What a buzzkill, Hunter,” Sophie protested, making a face.
He laughed. “Sorry. Just being realistic.”
“I think we’ve had enough realism to last us a lifetime,” she replied.
“We have been through a lot,” Grant agreed. “But it’s going to be smooth sailing from here.”
“Right.” Hunter’s sarcasm was evident, and he smiled wryly. From the moment he’d met them, he’d sensed he’d be in for quite a ride with this couple, and he hadn’t been wrong. But it had been a gratifying journey, and he was glad he wouldn’t have to say goodbye to them just yet. Now that the cuffs were off, Hunter knew there’d be much more to come from the engaged parolees.
Acknowledgments
My sincere gratitude extends to:
Omnific Publishing Team BB, including Jessica Royer Ocken, Cindy Campbell, CJ Creel, Lynette McCann, Coreen Montagna, and Micha Stone.
Attorneys CJ Creel and Jennifer Sinclair for their diligent efforts to set me straight on the complicated legal aspects of the story.
Elizabeth Harper for giving me and my novels a fighting chance!
Janine and Gwynn for their amazing friendship.
Cècile, Jaquita Chiquita, Marilyn, Nora, Shannon, Riem, Ashley, Karina, Danni, Deb, and Lily for their constant support.
Lorne, Amy, and Ina for being there from the beginning of this crazy writing adventure.
Sherri Hayes for help with the David Alton storyline.
Book Club #1: Lisa, Colby, Jennifer, Sue, Janelle, Sally, Suki, Patty, Amy, Christy
Book Club #2: David, Joan, Jessica, Nan, Carolyn, Tom, Cindy, Michelle
My psychologist colleagues and swimming friends for being so encouraging.
Bless you all!
Table of Contents
1. Concession
2. Conditions
3. Conjoined
4. Confound
5. Confession
6. Conflict
7. Contrition
8. Congenital
9. Constant
10. Confidential
11. Conmunication
12. Conjunct
13. Concern
14. Confluence
15. Condemnation
17. Confrontation, Part One
18. Confrontation, Part Two
19. Unconditional
20. Contender
21. Constellation
22. Conflagration
23. Confound
24. Confinement
25. Confiscate
26. Conspirators
27. Congratulations
Acknowledgments