It’d been a long two weeks. Matt had to endure his family pouncing on him the moment Isabelle left. “What’s wrong with you? Go after her.” It was an intervention of sorts. Though they quieted the moment he agreed they were right.
Matt had gone through the motions at work and gave his family a presentation of what he’d like to accomplish in Sand Dollar Shores. After some teasing, David and Aria offered him the position on the spot. The victory seemed hollow without being able to tell Isabelle.
He had called Isabelle’s research institute. They informed him Isabelle was taking a little time off. Understandable after everything that had happened. But she’d be returning to work as a hero. The DoD had fast-tracked her proposal, so her research was now fully funded without needing any help from Struther or Allen.
Uncle Hank had mercy on him the fifth time he’d called, though, and gave him Isabelle’s phone number.
Matt had tried calling, but she hadn’t picked up. He’d tried texting, but she always sent back short replies. When he gave her congratulations for the funding, she texted back, Thx. He messaged her that she was right about being up front with his brother about what he wanted. She merely replied, I’m glad.
So as Matt stood in the parking lot of Hayden Research Station, he had no idea how his arrival would be received. His insides shook a little. He normally only did things when he felt sure he knew the outcome. Laying down his pride was harder than he thought it’d be.
The wind carried the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore. The soothing smell of the salt air emboldened him. Hank had passed along her schedule for the day, so Matt knew she would be about to lead a classroom among the tide pools. He’d even asked the teacher if she could wait for a few minutes, and she’d agreed. It was now or never.
He pulled the front door open and walked past the front aquarium into the laboratory. Isabelle stood next to the wall of windows, the ocean view at her back. The sun highlighted her dark hair with its many highlights. She wore a lab coat over a periwinkle blouse and navy-blue skirt. His chest constricted. Even after two weeks apart, he knew without a doubt he loved her with all his heart.
Her blue eyes lifted, and her mouth gaped. “Matt? What are you doing here?”
He gulped and attempted to flash a charming smile. “I heard you had a crush on someone.”
Her face fell. “Matt—”
Okay, probably not the best way to start. He took a step forward. “I told this Matt guy he needed to know a few things about you.”
Her eyebrows lifted and her right hand flew to her chest. “If you think this is funny—” She shook her head. “I don’t have time for this. I have a school group.”
This was all going so wrong. In his head it was romantic, but this wasn’t how it was supposed to play out. “Isabelle, let me fin—”
“I have to go.” She darted out the back door. Through the glass walls, he could see the children look up and form a line. His plan was falling apart. He just hoped she’d hear him out. He ran back out the front door and around the building.
* * *
Isabelle’s throat constricted. How was she supposed to teach the group about tide pools when her eyes were blurry with tears? She blinked them back. Why was Matt even here? To make sure their friendship was okay? Because if he thought he could joke about her declaration so soon...
She swallowed and did a double take. Why had the children formed a line? Their teacher was at the far end, closest to some of the big monolith rocks, and she was smiling. Maybe the teacher thought this was what Isabelle wanted from the class?
Apparently the teacher didn’t get the email she’d sent about what to expect on the field trip. Isabelle smiled at the students and took a step forward. The first child pulled a rose from behind his back and handed it to her.
She faltered. “Oh. Wow. Uh...thank you.” She took another step forward, and the second child pulled a rose from behind her back. Isabelle’s heart raced. Down the line, all the children had their hands behind their backs and beamed with expectant grins and giggles. What was going on?
As she walked slowly, closer and closer to the ocean, each child handed her a rose. The smell of salt water mixed with the heady scent of roses was delicious. The bouquet grew to almost two dozen flowers. Isabelle reached the teacher, who smiled and pointed over Isabelle’s shoulder.
Matt stepped around the monolith rock, his eyes downcast.
“Matt?” She turned back to the children. The teacher had ushered them back into a group.
“I’m sorry I upset you, Isabelle.” His voice sounded strained. “It’s going to sound silly now, but I had it all planned out. Please let me finish, and then if you want me to stop and leave, I will.”
She tilted her head but remained silent.
“I wanted to tell you that I warned this Matt guy about you. I told him how intense you were...the kind of intensity that inspires you to be the best you can be. She has this way of questioning everything...a love of discovery and learning that’s contagious.”
She sucked in a breath. He was repeating everything he’d said to Randy all those years ago, except listing all the positive aspects.
“And she’s stubborn...the kind of determination and loyalty and perseverance that is so rare to find in a person. And so intelligent and brilliant, yet open-minded and humble enough never to look down on anyone else.
“The thing is,” Matt went on, “it didn’t matter what I said to him. The moment he opened his heart, he was a goner. He’d never be able to get her out of his mind.” He took a step forward. “Do you still want me to stop?” he whispered.
“I might let you go on,” she murmured. “Only if you promise to stop talking about yourself in the third person.”
He beamed. “I don’t have a crush on you,” Matt said. “It goes way beyond that, Isabelle. I love you.” His words came out fast, in a rush. He lifted his eyes, questioning.
She blinked. He really didn’t know? “I love you, Matthew.”
His hands caressed her cheek as he leaned forward and kissed her.
She tilted her chin to stare into his eyes. “But if you felt that way about me, then why—”
“When you told me you wanted to give us a shot, I was too scared I’d mess things up. I wasn’t sure how to answer until I figured some things out.”
There was giggling in the background and what sounded like splashing. Matt stepped back. “This didn’t really go as planned,” he said apologetically.
Isabelle followed his gaze as four kayaks glided into view. The boats fought the waves to get in a line. Isabelle squinted. “Are those your brothers?”
“And my dad.” Matt gave a sheepish grin.
The men held up signs with one hand as their boats were carried by the waves toward them. Isabelle tried to read the bobbing signs. “‘You Will Marry Me’?”
“Ah, no.” He slapped his forehead. “David and Luke got out of order.”
His words barely registered. She turned back to Matt. He lowered himself down on one knee.
“Isabelle Barrows, I know this is fast, but I also know no matter how long I need to wait, you are the only woman for me.”
Stunned, she studied his face. The vulnerability and uncertainty were written in his eyes. He was risking his pride to tell her what he wanted. Her heart swelled.
“Will you make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife...eventually? Whenever you’re ready?”
She laughed. “Oh, I’m ready.” She fought the swelling of her throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.”
He jumped up and grabbed her by the waist. The roses slipped from her hands, swirling around her as he spun her in the air and pulled her into his arms. His lips met hers. She pressed into him, knowing there was nothing pretend about this kiss. The schoolchildren released a mixed chorus of disgusted groans and happy cheers.
Matt straightened and set her down as Mrs. McGuire, Rachel, Gabriella and Aria ran out from behind other distant rocks. The kayaks slid onto shore as the men also rushed to join them.
James swooped one of the twins in his arms as Rachel picked up the other. “She going to be our new aunt, huh?” The twins both nodded at the same time.
Isabelle laughed. “Yes. I would love to be your new aunt.”
Aria hugged her. “Be careful what you say. There are future nieces and nephews to come.”
Isabelle laughed and embraced everyone but had no words. She was too happy.
Aria threw a thumb over her shoulder at the group of kids. “David and I have been tide-pool guides a few times. Do you mind if we take this one?”
Isabelle nodded, and Aria led the rest of the McGuire family away toward the class.
Isabelle couldn’t stop smiling, except then the thought of being engaged yet living so far apart began to sink in. She sighed. “Matt, I can’t leave here for a few years. I signed a contract. I was willing to do long distance, and I still am.” She frowned. “I’ll figure something out. We’ll make it work. We can do this.”
Matt tilted his head. “I think I forgot to clarify something. I don’t want to run David’s new conference center.”
“You don’t?” Traveling back and forth to San Antonio would be harder than Northern California, but it didn’t matter. Maybe she could rent an office in San Antonio and do some of her work there if—
“I want to run the one twenty minutes from here.”
Her eyes searched his. “No prank?”
He pulled her in tighter. “This is definitely no prank.” He leaned down and his lips met hers. And in his arms she knew. She was home.
* * * * *