Was he ever going to arrive?
After the third dance, the announcer said he had a local hero who wanted to say a few special words. Her heart sped, hoping...
Sully was grinning beside her.
“What?” Olivia shook her head at him.
Where was Jack? She checked her watch. His plane had been late. Was he okay?
“Olivia, look.”
She looked up to see Jack walking up the steps of the stage. He looked so handsome dressed in Air Force blues that it took her breath away.
When he got onstage, everyone in the room stood to honor him and welcome him home.
With the help of new intel and his experience, he’d helped coordinate the capture of the insurgent who’d arranged the ambush on his unit, and Jack had been able to do so without stepping boots to the ground overseas. Olivia had not stopped thanking God since she’d heard the news.
Tears flooded her eyes and she wanted to rush up and take him down with a hug.
But this was a special moment. He was this year’s guest of honor and he deserved it.
Smiling, she stood with the rest of the room looking at him with absolute adoration.
After receiving his award, Jack thanked everyone in Eagle Point and the surrounding communities for pulling together to save the diner. He then helped his dad onto the stage and Sully also received a standing ovation for stellar town service and sacrifice.
After the crowd calmed, Jack gazed across the room, directly into Olivia’s eyes.
“I want to give a shout-out to a special lady here tonight. Olivia, can you come up here?”
Her heart began to pound as she rose to new applause and walked toward the stage. This was Jack’s moment. Why was he sharing the spotlight with her?
She didn’t like being the center of attention. Funny, considering all her tattoos and piercings.
Once she got to the stage, Jack took her hand and then he dropped to one knee, and produced a beautiful pewter and diamond ring—one with tiny elegant silver and black studs reflecting her rocker-girl flair.
Olivia gasped, completely blindsided.
He pushed the microphone away to make the moment intimate. A hush fell over the room. “Olivia, when I came back to Eagle Point, I only felt like half a man. You make me whole. I feel like you’re the better part of me. You’re the future I long to live for. Let’s make it official. Let’s make this love last forever. You know I love you, right?” he whispered.
“Yes. But what about your career?”
“I was miserable being away this week—from you, Dad, the hometown we love, the diner and even church. If I couldn’t last four days, I knew I’d never survive another tour of duty without my heart leaving its post. So I knew it was time to retire. My honorable discharge went through this morning. I’m officially here for good.”
“I’m so happy,” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Will you make me the most thankful guy in creation? Will you marry me?”
She hugged him so hard he almost fell over. “I will! Oh, Jack. I love you so much! I got the better end of this deal!” she exclaimed to another round of clapping, cheers, whistles and applause.
Clearly, the audience figured out he’d proposed and she’d accepted. As they exited the stage, people came up to congratulate them, Sully among the first. They spoke at length with him, then endured teasing from the diner crew.
Then Jack tugged her hand and whispered as a romantic ballad came on, “Come share this moment with me.”
After celebrating with a private dance on the light-strung patio under a sparkling array of stars, Jack led Olivia to the curb.
“Your carriage awaits, my love.” His mouth twitched. “Unfortunately, they were out of Fords.”
She saw the OFFICIAL CHEVY CARRIAGE...and burst out laughing, knowing the God of joy would hem them, two unlikely but loving allies, in between His guiding hands, all the days of their lives.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from HIS SECRET CHILD by Lee Tobin McClain.