Marena sat the glass of iced tea she was drinking down and shook her head in disgust, the black-and-blue steak salad in front of her only half-eaten.
“A ten-thousand-dollar fine and twenty years in prison is all Brinkley gets?”
Marena grimaced. “He got off light if you ask me. He tried to kill Coulter, Dad.”
General Dash attacked his seafood salad sandwich with gusto. “His legal team argued that he wasn’t the one that injected Coulter. That was Derek, and he’s dead. So, there’s no proof implicating Brinkley for that, but there are more crimes he’ll need to answer to,” her father pointed out. “He won’t be getting out of prison any time soon.”
“He deserves to rot under the jail for all the damage he’s done.”
“He’ll get what’s coming to him, don’t worry. We’ll see to that.”
“Has Javier Palacios been found yet?”
“No. In all the commotion that night, he slipped past everyone. He was probably wearing a bulletproof vest. Who knows where he is now. But I’m sure he’ll turn up like bad pennies always do. Enough about the bad guys. You have a decision to make, sweetheart.”
“I know, Dad. It’s a big one. What if I make the wrong one?”
“That’s your defense mechanism talking. You need to talk to Coulter about this, honey. Your decision affects him, too.”
“I will,” Marena replied. “Tonight.”
“Good.”
“How’s Lucas?”
“He’s on assignment doing some consulting for Ghost Town. Cole said he’s planning to make Lucas his VP.”
Marena glanced up in surprise. “Is Lucas interested?”
Her father shrugged. “Beats me. Your brother loves being in the field. He’s not much for desk work, but I know Cole. He could entice the spots off a leopard.”
“Can you image Cole and Lucas running a company together?”
“Oddly, yes. They make a great team. Who knows? There could be a lot of changes in store for the future.”
Marena sighed. “That’s true. Starting with a big one tonight. I have to go, Dad.”
“Okay, but you call me tomorrow and tell me how it went.”
“I will. How long will you be in town? Not that I’m trying to get rid of you,” she said with a grin.
Terry chuckled. “I didn’t think that at all. Probably just till the weekend. I have a meeting in Washington on Monday.”
“Okay. I’m glad you came. You should visit more often.”
“Don’t worry, I plan to. No more staying away too long. Family should be more of a priority for us.”
“Agreed. Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
Marena decided to leave early. She’d hired an interim manager while she was gone, and he was working out well. Even Burt had given his seal of approval.
She thought about Burt’s progress. Finally, he and Delores were officially dating. Marena had been thrilled to hear the delightful news.
As she was getting into the ride-sharing car she had ordered, Vivica called.
“Did you tell him yet?”
Marena sighed. “No, I haven’t.”
“Why are you waiting? Worried how he might take it?”
“Vivica.”
“What? I’m just asking.”
“I wish everyone would stop asking me questions—this is my decision.”
“Okay, okay. But I’m calling tomorrow to see how it went.”
“Vivi, everything will be fine, you’ll see.”
“Are you trying to convince me of that, or you?”
A few minutes later, Marena arrived home. She paid her driver and headed up the walkway to the house. Then, taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped inside.
Astonished by the vision in front of her, Marena’s mouth dropped open.
Flowers and candles were everywhere, and soft music drifted around the room like a mist in the forest at dawn.
The beautiful scene was enhanced tenfold by Coulter standing in the kitchen wearing an apron. It looked like a flour bomb had exploded, and he had used his body to absorb the blast.
When he saw her, he looked flustered.
Marena made a beeline for the kitchen. “Coulter, what’s all this?”
“Hey, Rena. You’re home early.” He kissed her.
“Yeah, I decided to leave early today since I had some things on my mind.”
“Really? What’s going on?” He took off the apron and tried to clear the flour from the counter next to the half-filled bowl of cookie dough ingredients.
Marena tried to jump in to help, but he batted her away. Instead, she became overly occupied with the drawstring belt on her khaki utility shorts.
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Well, that’s what I wanted to speak with you about.”
“I have something to say to you, too. But, ladies first.”
“No,” Marena blurted out, seizing the opportunity to stall a little longer like a kitten about to pounce on a ball of yarn. “What’s your news?” The high-pitched tone of her voice caused Coulter to look up in alarm.
He studied her for a moment before turning the music down. Then, grabbing a dish towel, he wiped the flour from his hands and set it back on the counter.
“Marena, I need you to know that I have no intention of pressuring you to do anything.”
Marena appeared baffled. “What are you talking about?”
“I think you know.”
“Honestly, I don’t have a clue, so I’ll need you to tell me.”
He blew out a breath in frustration. “Tell you what? That this isn’t working?”
She stilled. “What’s not working?”
“You and me. Like this,” he said, waving his arm between them. “I know you want to take things slow, and I agreed, but truthfully, I don’t know how.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I can’t be your friend, Rena. We were never just friends—and we’ll never be.” Coulter’s expression was grim like he had just given the worst news of his life.
She stared at him.
Her quietness propelled him forward. He reached out and took both her hands.
“I’ve made so many mistakes where you’re concerned, Marena. I wanted to earn your trust back.”
“You have earned it. We’re in a much better place now than when you first arrived.”
He continued as if her words didn’t register. “Leaving you for your good, well, that backfired. I promised myself that it was a maneuver I’d never repeat, but I will if that’s what you want.”
Her hands twitched in his grasp. “You think I want you gone?”
“Well, don’t you?”
Hearing the words aloud made Marena antsy. She moved into the living room. When she turned around, he was standing in the same spot as if he were a statue.
“No, of course not. I don’t want you to leave, Coulter. I never did.”
“Then why are you keeping me at arm’s length?”
Marena looked uncomfortable.
“I admit that’s what I wanted at first, but it was more for self-preservation than anything else. After that, I couldn’t let my guard down again, because I had to protect my heart and keep it safe. And not wanting you? Are you kidding? Do you know how many times I’ve longed to throw myself into your arms and let whatever happened happen?”
“No, I didn’t know.”
“I admit I’ve needed to tell you something, but I didn’t know how you’d react.”
Coulter stood ramrod straight. “Rena, just say it.”
“I’ve been offered a position to go back to research and development for a start-up pharmaceutical company that’s won a few government contracts,” she said in practically one breath. “I need to give them an answer soon and wanted your thoughts.”
He blinked. “That’s what you’ve wanted to tell me?”
“Yes. What did you think it was?”
“That we were over.”
Marena’s mouth dropped open. “What? Of course not. I’ve been trying to sort things out, but it was always with the understanding that you’d be here—in my life—with me.”
Coulter strode into the living room. “Marena, I guess I’m still in awe that you’d give me a second chance. That I’m deserving of one after what I put you through—us through.”
“Coulter, I forgave you when you showed up on my doorstep with days to live. I realized it wasn’t so that I could try and save your life. It was because time was short and you wanted to be with me. I knew then that you still loved me as much as I loved you.”
Coulter gazed at Marena with an intensity that made her breath hitch.
“Of course I do—I never stopped. When I woke up, and you told me the antidote worked and that I would live, I began thinking about the future. Marena, there isn’t one aspect of it that didn’t include you. I love you, and only you, Rena. You’re my best friend, my confidant, and you bring out the best in me. I want to wake up by your side every day. I want to love you, fight with you, have babies with you, and build a family. I want you to be mine in every way imaginable—for life.”
Coulter retrieved a velvet ring box from his pocket, knelt, and opened it. Gasping, Marena backed up so much she would have fallen over the coffee table if he hadn’t steadied her.
She stared at the two-carat oval-shaped diamond surrounded by two round diamonds with additional diamonds on either side for so long that her eyes blurred. When she finally blinked to clear them, she started crying.
“My ring. You kept it.”
He nodded. “It never should have left your hand, my love. Marena Lillian Dash, would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Marena was nodding before the words tumbled out. “Yes, Coulter Aaron McKendrick. I will marry you.”
Coulter slid the engagement ring back on Marena’s left ring finger and kissed it before his grin went borderline supernova.
Marena glanced at the ring on her finger a few seconds before launching herself into the arms of her fiancé. They toppled onto the floor in a heap.
“I’m never letting you go,” Coulter whispered into her ear.
“Forever?”
“Forever,” he vowed.
“Well done,” a familiar voice called from behind them, followed by loud cheering and clapping.
Marena glanced past Coulter. “Dad?”
She nudged Coulter, and he pulled her up with him. He smoothed her shirt back down before kissing her lightly on the lips. The newly engaged couple turned to find their family and friends piled into Marena’s living room. Lucas had recorded the moment on his cell phone while Coulter’s mother and Vivica poured glasses of champagne and sparkling cider for the guests.
Shocked to see everyone there, Marena turned to Coulter. Her gaze was still bright with unshed tears of happiness.
“How’d you arrange all this?”
“Your father whipped us all into shape,” he joked. “I thought we’d have a bit more time, though. I didn’t expect you home this soon, so we had to scrap the plans for more decorating.”
Marena shook her head. “This was perfect.”
He turned to the group. “I hope you’ve brought food, because I didn’t cook enough for everyone.”
“I’ve had your cooking, bro. Don’t worry, we’ve come prepared,” Lucas joked. “And that was the most roundabout proposal I’ve ever heard.”
“Shut up. It was wonderful,” Marena gushed.
Everyone took turns coming up to congratulate the happy couple. Cole embraced his new granddaughter before hugging Coulter and slapping him soundly on the back.
“Thank you,” he said solemnly. “This is one of the best days of my life. I never thought I’d get to celebrate with you like this. I wish you every happiness, Coulter. Marena is one in a million.”
“Thanks, Cole.” Coulter stopped. “I think the name Grandfather is long overdue, don’t you?”
“I’d like that.” Cole’s voice trembled, but his smile was steady.
Coulter’s parents came up behind Cole. They hugged everyone.
“Another woman in the family is long overdue—that and grandchildren.”
“Mom, can we get married first?” Coulter laughed. “I promise we’ll devote ourselves with laser-like focus to providing grandbabies for you to spoil rotten.”
Marena lovingly elbowed Coulter in the ribs. “Not too soon, though,” he amended. “I want my bride all to myself for a while before expanding our family.”
When it was Burt and Delores’s turn, Burt leaned in to speak to Coulter while Delores hugged Marena.
“I wouldn’t part with my Marigold for anyone who wasn’t worthy of being by her side. Well done, Coulter. I’m pleased to see that you’ve redeemed yourself.”
Coulter grinned at hearing Burt finally use his first name.
He shook Burt’s hand firmly before being engulfed in a bear hug.
“Thank you, Burt.”
Marena’s dad was the last to come up and congratulate them.
“Your mother would be so proud and happy for you both.”
Marena hugged him tightly. “I know she’s here.”
He picked up her mother’s locket at her neck and held it. “Yes, she is.”
“Are you happy, sweetheart?”
“Ecstatic, Dad.”
“Thank you for giving me your blessing, General,” Coulter replied, shaking Terry’s hand.
“Now that you’re going to become a member of our family, officially, I think it’s high time you started calling me General Dad.”
Coulter laughed. “Roger that.”
“Guard my Marena with your life, Coulter,” Terry said seriously. “She’s my most valuable treasure.”
“I will, sir. Because she’s mine as well.”
Later that night, they were outside in the backyard, sharing a hammock. The sun drifted lazily below the horizon in brilliant hues of purple and orange.
“Are you happy, soon-to-be Mrs. McKendrick?”
“So much so that I keep thinking this is a dream that I’ll wake up from at any moment.”
Coulter pulled her closer to his side. “So, when do you want to marry me?”
A dazzling smile plastered itself onto Marena’s face.
“I guess we need to set a date, don’t we? Any thoughts?”
“I think that depends.”
She glanced up. “On what?”
“On if you’re going to accept that new job offer.”
“That’s right, we didn’t finish discussing it, did we?”
“Well, it was kind of hectic, getting engaged and all,” he teased.
Marena laughed. “Honestly, I don’t know. But, if I do, that’ll mean relocating to London. Is that something you’d be willing to consider?”
“Sweetheart, wherever you are is home to me. I will support you no matter where we are or what you decide to do for your career. So, whether we live in Beaufort and you continue to run the Sea Lily, or we relocate to London, and you work in a lab, I’m all in.”
Marena leaned up to kiss Coulter. “Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you, too, my beautiful, amazing, and sexy shop-owning scientist.”