Nikki touched her cheek. “How did you get so wise?”
“I come from a long line of wise women.”
“Yes, you do, and your mother”âShe indicated the kitchen with a nod of her headâ“is the wisest of all.”
Cassie smiled at her. “Yes, she is. Mothers are a wonderful thingâ¦both of them.”
****
Nikki stood in her office, surrounded by a sea of boxes. She walked over to her computer and stared at the yellow sticky note. It seemed a lifetime ago when Lucas had walked in and all she could see was the word
FORGIVENESS
. She smiled and tore it off the computer. She didn't need the reminder any longer.
The bell above the door tinkled.
“Hey, Robbie. What are you doing here?”
“Are you kidding? I had to come to see the real-life hero for myself. Make sure you were still breathing. You're famous.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It's all over the news what happened to you and your niece and that guy running for senator. Must have been some kind of crazy.”
“It was. But I can't believe it's on TV.” Of course, that made sense. That was too much great publicity to pass up. Even without Elizabeth hounding Lucas.
“So, you got shot, huh?”
She nodded. She raised the arm of her shirt enough to show off the bullet wound.
“And so what? The first time you're shot, you're quitting.” He motioned at the boxes.
“I guess I wasn't as tough as I thought I was. It turns out that getting shot hurts.” She grinned. “And I didn't like it one bit.”
“Can't say I blame you for that. What will you do now?”
“I have no idea. But I can tell you one thingâit won't involve guns or cheating spouses.”
“That eliminates a lot.” Robbie smiled. “Are you leaving town or staying here?”
“I'm leaving town. Once I get everything packed, I'm having it shipped back to my sister's. Then I'm taking an extended road trip to find myself.”
“Still searching for the perfect man, huh?”
She smiled past the pain in her heart. She'd found the perfect man, but it just wasn't meant to be. “Not at all. I told you before I am done with that.”
“Too bad.” He stepped closer. “I would have liked to have helped you find yourself, Nikki.”
“That's sweet, Robbie. But I already told you I'm the weed killer of relationships.”
“That's OK. I'm not much of a gardener anyway.” He gave her a hug. “Give me a call now and then so I know you're still alive and kicking.”
“I'll do that.”
He left. Robbie really was a good guy. Why wasn't that enough? She knew the answer. It wouldn't be fair to him or any other man. Her heart belonged to Lucas, now and forever. And even though they would never be together, that fact wasn't going to change.
She turned on the TV that she hadn't packed yet. She surfed until she found one of the news channels. The well-known blonde newswoman smiled. “And this is why that story is even more important, especially for the citizens of North Carolina. Breaking news. This just in.”
Lucas flashed on the screen behind a podium. “I'm resigning from the US House of Representatives immediately as well as removing my name from the ballot for US Senate immediately. In light of recent events in my life, I don't feel it would be in the best interests of the good people of North Carolina for me to continue⦔
She stared, not believing it as he introduced the woman who would finish out his term.
Her door tinkled once again.
She turned.
Lucas stood there.
Her heart flip-flopped. “Iâ¦I can't believe you resigned and pulled out of the election.”
He shrugged and gave her that gorgeous smile. “You said you couldn't be a politician's wife, soâ¦I'm not a politician anymore.”
Her heart thumped.
She'd been so sure he was hurt and angry. That he never wanted to talk to her again. And yet here he was. He walked closer, his soft blue eyes focused only on her.
Lucas reached out and put his hand in hers.
She wasn't sure if she could breathe.
He knelt down on one knee in front of her. “So, how about it? Will you marry me?”
She stared down at him. “You gave up your life's work for me. I can't let you do that. It was your life's dream.”
“No, it was my daddy's dream. Not mine.” He grinned. “And besides, you can't stop me. I already did it, but just to clarify, I gave up being a senator for me. I'm tired of politics. Tired of everything I say or do being examined. I don't want to be under that microscope anymore.”
“Iâ¦I don't know what to say.”
“Say that you'll marry me. I love you. I want to grow old with you. Sit in a rocking chair on our flower farm and hold hands with you as we watch the sunset. Don't make me ask you again. Oh, well, I'll ask again and again until you give me the right answer. Will youâ”
“You don't have to ask again.” She knelt down to him and threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, I'll marry you.”
“'Bout time.”
Their lips met.
When they separated, she smiled. “Are you sure?”
“I've never been more sure of anything in my life. How about you?”
“I've never been more sure of anything in my life.”
They kissed again.
He motioned at the boxes. “What's going on here?”
“I'm quitting the PI business. Did you know it was dangerous? A person could get shot.”
“I heard that could happen.” He stood up and pulled her up with him. “So, what do we do now that we're both unemployed?”
“Who knows?” Nikki touched his cheek. “We can do anything we want as long as it's what God wants. What do you have in mind?”
“Maybe a flower farm?”
“Maybe, or maybe not. We'll have to think about that one for a while to see who can come up with the best idea.”
He leaned in and kissed her again.
This was something she could get used to.
Those soft blue eyes the color of a North Carolina sky twinkled. “Game on!”
Thank youâ¦
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