Falling Softly: Compass Girls, Book 4 (15 page)

Chapter Thirteen

“I’m nervous.” Sterling chewed the nail on her index finger as she milled about the lobby of Compton Pass’s tattoo shop.

“Because of the baby?” Hope asked. “We checked with your doctor. You’re all clear.”

“It’s not that,” she answered. Once Viho saw what she intended, he’d know how she felt. It would be impossible to ignore a declaration like that. Was she ready?

“Then why? It’s not like it’s permanent or something,” Jade ribbed her. “Oh, wait. It is.”

“Come on, chicken.” Sienna smiled. “If I can do it, you can too.”

“I’ve always had a thing for women with ink.” Viho bent down and kissed her, sexy and sweet. The past two months had flown by and she could no longer imagine a world in which he wasn’t by her side each time she needed him or as they enjoyed the simple moments in life together. Things in the old Compass Girl cabin were comfortable. Someone to come home to, to share the evenings with and make love to every night before bed.

Her life was so much more than she could have dreamed of before fall set in. It would always be her favorite time of year from now on because the colors of the leaves, the scent of pumpkins and spice, all of it reminded her of falling in love, softly and gradually, with him.

Still, she couldn’t deny that it had happened.

She smiled into his eyes as they parted their lips. She was ready.

“Well, that settles it, then.” Sterling couldn’t resist zooming up for a final taste before one of the artists cleared her throat and invited the four Compass Girls to take their places in the shop where they’d simultaneously get matching designs in honor of their family.
Vivi
.

“Imagine our dads doing this the hard way? With that old dude, Snake, and his ancient equipment? At least modern methods aren’t painful,” Hope speculated.

“We’ll see what you think of that when you’re finished.” Wyatt patted his woman on the shoulder. “You’re pretty brave. I’ve seen grown men afraid of all those needles. Especially since you’re going big your first time out.”

“Hey, Jade, were you lying to me? Does it hurt? They still use needles? Not some fancy laser thingy?” Hope’s smile faded as her suspicions grew.

The other three Compass Girls snorted and giggled. Even the guys they’d brought along had a hard time containing their amusement. Of course it wasn’t pain-free. Nothing that mattered in life was.

“You bitches!” Hope shrieked as the first dots buzzed into her skin.

Sterling tried not to laugh too hard since she didn’t want the lines of her design to be fuzzy. That would be fitting punishment for their prank, though. The Compass Ranch logo would look pretty fine on her forearm, surrounded by a riot of flower blossoms from Vivi’s garden. Each one represented a person in her family, who had chosen their favorite and added it to their bouquet.

The four women had arranged the flowers in their matching designs very precisely by the season in which they bloomed. They even included some evergreen branches and a poinsettia to celebrate how Comptons could flourish in the harshest conditions.

For several hours—maybe even three or four, she kind of lost track—they were mostly quiet. Somber and introspective as the matching portions of their designs took shape.

Sterling admitted the fall foliage plus the orange and deep purple of the mums that represented her were her favorite. Like their fathers before them, each of the women had chosen one section to personalize. And she knew exactly what she wanted in that precious spot on her skin.

Forever.

Indelibly etched.

And hopefully the man beside her would understand the significance.

She took a deep breath and figured this endurance test of her pain threshold would be good practice for labor. A while passed before the artist broke her from her wandering thoughts.

“Okay, have you decided what we’re doing here?” She tapped the blank spot at the center of the identical design with her gloved finger some time later. They’d all agreed to have their artists freehand their individual components, both to keep them a surprise and to fit the flow of their bodies once the rest of the art had been established.

“Yes.” Sterling stared at Viho, who’d sat beside her the entire session, holding her hand and murmuring his approval. “I want a set of shears. Because every garden needs someone to tend it. I also want a dove, flying above it all, keeping an eye on things.”

Viho cleared his throat, and she knew he was thinking of Haiwee, finally free of all the weighty things in life that had kept her grounded. She reached out to solidify their connection even as the proof of it became part of her forever. With his other hand, he cupped her baby bump.

She beamed up at him while still speaking to the artist. “And right on that rock there, can you add a little turtle?”

“Sure thing. It’ll fit great. Kind of looks like it needed something else right there.” The artist got to work making it a reality.

“Sterling, I know this is probably a weird time to have this conversation, but I figure you can’t run away from me at the moment.” Viho spoke softly, but it wasn’t exactly a large space. All three of the other Compass Girls stared over at them, not even pretending to give them some privacy.

For that matter, Liam, Wyatt, Clay and Daniel seemed pretty damn interested in their business all of a sudden too.

“Uh, okay.” She winced as she realized how unsure she sounded. It wasn’t often he got this serious, and the times that he had, she hadn’t always responded well. She hoped he realized she wasn’t so afraid anymore. That he had won her over.

It was just that they didn’t have the best track record when it came to deep conversations about their future. Though she would really like to change that.

“So here goes.” He cleared his throat. “I love you, Sterling Compton. I think I have since the moment I met you.”

“And knocked you up.” Jade added her editorial commentary.

“Shhh…” Hope shot their cousin a death-ray glare.

Sterling would have squirmed if she wasn’t cognizant of the artist trying her best to pretend like this wasn’t happening in her chair. With no escape, she wasn’t prepared for what she thought he was about to say. To ask.

And she couldn’t bear to turn him down either.

“I love you too, Viho.” She squeezed his fingers.

“And because I think I know you better now, I just wanted to tell you that I’m not going to ask you to marry me. Not today. And not ever.”

“What the—?” Sienna sat up since everyone had abandoned the pretense of tattooing at that news flash. Actually, Sterling realized they were finished when the artists began to wipe the blood from their shiny new art.

Sterling smiled wider. No pressure.

“In fact,” he kept going, which was a lot of talking for Viho, especially in the presence of so many witnesses. “I don’t even care how we describe our relationship. I’d be proud to call you my fiancée or wife. But as long as you feel this connection as strongly as I do, that’s all that matters. The more I get to know you, the more I realize that you do. And this…what you’ve put on your arm, for my mom…for
me
… Well, you’ve blown me away. Today and every day, Sterling. I’m in awe that I’ve found a woman like you to spend my life with. Whatever we call that.”

She heard someone sniffle in the background and was afraid she might be joining them soon. Damn hormones.

“Getting her name tattooed on your ass might help your case here, buddy.” Clayton couldn’t help himself.

“No!” Sterling sat upright. “Don’t mess with perfection.”

Viho chuckled. “I do think my butt is my best feature.”

“It’s not.” She drew him to her for a kiss. “Your eyes are. And your giant heart. I’m sorry that I’ve trampled it a time or two. I promise I’ll try to trod lighter in the future. I’m sure I’m going to screw up a time or four-thousand, but I hope you’ll find some way to forgive me.”

“I will. Because I know you don’t mean it.” He sighed. “I wasted so much time focusing on everything wrong with my life that I might have missed out on good stuff too. It’s like when you start to see things through that negative lens, it all looks ugly. Since I’ve met you, you’ve helped me put things in perspective. Sure, things aren’t always roses and sunshine, but it’s how you cope that counts. Right?”

She nodded.

“Not to interrupt or anything,” Wyatt said, completely interrupting.

Hope smacked him, but he kept on going. “My Compass Girl taught me that what was doesn’t have to be what will be. I think that might be important for you to know too. Just because shit happened to you before, it doesn’t mean it will again. Or that you have to deal with it the same way. You’re older…
way older
…and wiser now.”

Viho flashed the guy a friendly middle finger. Then he said, “So just one more thing, before we wrap up all this sentimental bullshit and get back to regularly scheduled life…”

“Yeah?” Sterling couldn’t wait until they were alone and she could jump him. He was getting hotter by the second.

“I have something. I’m holding it for you. Refer back to the not-asking-you-to-marry-me thing. Okay? Promise?” He actually hesitated. After all the rest he’d said, this had to be a doozie.

“Sure.” She hoped she could keep that oath.

“Guess it turns out that Jake wanted to marry my mom before she took off. And as much as I loved her, I’m starting to see a different side of things the more I get to know him. Anyway, he had this. For her. But he never got a chance to give it to her.” From beneath his shirt, Viho withdrew an engagement ring.

It wasn’t super flashy or even that unique when she appraised it with her jeweler’s eye, but it was classy and perfect.

Absolutely flawless when she viewed it with her heart.

“Holy shit,” Liam whisper-shouted.

“You’re making us look bad over here, dude,” Clayton grumbled, though he was immediately shushed by the other Compass Girls.

“And he gave it to you?” Sterling reached out a finger to trace the circle of the ring Jake had kept safe all these years. He’d never surrendered it, or his heart, to anyone else.

“To us.” Viho smiled softly. “Along with his blessing. I guess he thinks I’m not such a delinquent after all. But I’m not giving it to you.”

“You’re really not?” Why was she suddenly plagued with disappointment?

“Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m holding it for you. Waiting for the right moment. Whenever that may come. The day you’re ready to accept it, all you have to do is say the word and it’s yours. Until then, I’ll keep it safe for you. Just like my father did for my mother.”

“What if I’m never ready?” Sterling worried out loud.

“Oh my God, Sterling.” Sienna smacked herself in the forehead. “You’re having his baby. You’re totally in love with the man. How much
readier
do you have to be?”

“It’s okay,” Viho reassured her. “I’ll wait. And figure out how to be a better partner in the meantime. I have a lot of learning to do. It could take a while.”

“As soon as I’m done with this tattoo…” Sterling began.

“You’re finished, honey.” The artist nudged her. “Put the man out of his misery, please.”

“Right. Help me up?” She peeked at Viho. As if she weighed no more than the bubble mailers she packed her jewelry in, he scooped her from the chair.

Hard to say if the room was spinning from going upright so quickly, the momentous events of the day, or simply being around the guy who would be the core of her new family.

“Viho.” Sterling would have sunk to her knees, but Viho didn’t allow it. Instead he parked her on his lap, where he could cradle her against his heat and strength.

“Yes?” He smiled softly at her.

“This poor ring has waited long enough to be worn by someone who appreciates it. I love Jake and if I’d known your mom I know I would have adored her too. But part of me is furious at them for wasting what they had. For hurting you in the process. I don’t want to make those same mistakes. I’m ready to put it on, to accept your promise and make vows of my own. I don’t want to miss out like Jake and Haiwee. What a tragedy that would be. I was wrong. So wrong. There’s nothing more to hold out for. You’re the man I’m meant to be with. Forever. Will
you
marry
me
?”

Sighs and ahhs echoed around them.

Until he surprised them all.

“Not any time soon. Nope.” He shrugged, and she knew what he was doing.

Not striking back at her, but ensuring she was certain. And she was. He made her more so with every exhibit he gave that he truly understood her.

“I meant it when I said the label doesn’t matter. We’re already living our life together. After we’re settled, once the baby is born and our life is routine…boring missionary sex on Sunday mornings…”

“Gah, gross.” Jade stuck out her tongue.

“Okay, maybe not that extreme.” He laughed, and Sterling joined him. Then he clarified, “But once we’re steady, then we’ll make it official. And not before.”

“For the record.” Sterling tipped his chin down so she could stare into his eyes. “I
know
you’re the one.”

“I’m sure too.” He stole a kiss, then continued, “And if we’re both right, then it won’t hurt anything to wait. It only changes things if we’re wrong.”

“Which you’re not,” Hope interjected.

“Right.” Viho treated them all to that rare, blinding grin that illuminated her soul with light and love.

“You’re the smartest man I know, Viho. And the handsomest.” Sterling kissed him while the other Compass Girls and their guys contested her assessment.

“If she wasn’t already pregnant, I’m pretty sure a kiss like that could have done the job.” Jade kicked their chair. “Come on, lovebirds. Vivi’s waiting. Now that we’ve done this, I can’t wait to show her.”

“She’s going to love them.” Sterling peeked at her arm before hugging the artist. “Thank you.”

They pulled out their wallets to pay, but the manager refused to accept their cards. “It’s on the house. You’ve given us enough by letting us be part of what happened here today. With those two… and with your grandmother. Vicky Compton petitioned for us to get our license when the rest of the town thought we were hoodlums. Without her, we wouldn’t even be here.”