Brad settled down on Sage’s small couch. “Are you sure I can’t help out there?” he asked. Sage had chased him to the seat with a cup of tea so she could prepare dinner.
“I’m one hundred percent certain. This kitchen is too small for two people.”
Her kitchen was perfectly cozy for two people close to each other and he was desperately hoping that her inviting him over was a sign that she was warming up to him and his dangerous career.
She called him to the table a couple minutes later. She’d covered it with a snowman print cloth and set out glasses of water. Three short candles burned in the center of the table. It was incredibly romantic and his heart danced.
Yes! He was back in! He mentally punched the air in celebration. “This looks incredible. Thank you for inviting me.”
They ate in virtual silence except for discussing dinner. The urge to ask for an explanation burned in the back of his throat. Instead, he said, “I’m thinking of opening an inspection service. I could inspect houses and businesses and offer safety advice. I’ve got all the classes I’d need. I did some research. The licensing process shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Don’t you love being a fire fighter?”
“I do. But other things, other people, have made me reconsider my career,” he confessed.
“Would you be happy doing that?” She set her fork on the table and stared at him. Her voice was flat and he’d give everything he owned to know what she was thinking.
“I’d be happy. Maybe not as happy as I am now, but the reward would be worth it. I’d do it for you. I love you, Sage, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t give to make a life with you.” He bit back his fear and his fear of being hurt.
His stomach rolled and the delicious food suddenly weighed a hundred pounds. “I know we haven’t known each other very long. But I’m in love with you. I can’t imagine not being in love with you. I’ve adored you since you accepted the eggnog hot chocolate you didn’t want just to avoid hurting my feelings. So yes, I’d be happy doing something else, if I had you in my life.”
She jumped up from the table and ran down the hallway. She was gone so long he got up to go. His heart was crushed. It would never recover. He blinked back tears. He wanted to storm out of the apartment and bury himself in a bottle. With all the control he could muster, he cleared his empty plate to the sink and walked to the door.
“Wait! Don’t leave,” she called from the end of the hallway. She strode toward him, a crooked, nervous smile on her face. She trust a badly wrapped package at him. “This is for you.” She grabbed his elbow and pulled him to the couch. “Open it.”
She sat beside him, wiggling like an excited puppy. “Open it,” she repeated.
“Who wrapped this? An eight-year-old?” he teased.
“I did. Just now. I was in a rush. Technically, it wasn’t for you. It was from the toy drive and I’m supposed to return it. It wasn’t suitable for a kid.” She chuckled. “I’ll pay for it because I’m giving it to you. It’s perfect for you. I mean, I do have another gift, a real gift. But this one…” she trailed of. “Just open it, Brad. You’ll understand. I promise.”
He stared at her, trying to figure out what she was up to. He’d offered to change his life for her and she’d given him a weird package. What did that mean?
♥♥♥
This was it. Maybe she was crazy but the boy who said to take chances really touched her. All the bravery amid fear and illness had brought her to her senses. She was through being a coward. Brad was worth the risk. That’s why she asked him to dinner. She hadn’t intended to give him this gift, but when he said he’d change jobs for her, she’d nearly wept with happiness.
But that wasn’t what she wanted. She couldn’t crush his joy in his career because she was a coward. She’d adapt. She’d hire help to adapt if that’s what it took.
“Will you just open it. Please.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. You’re making me nervous. You’ve giving me a stolen present. Is this going to be how a relationship between us goes?” His wink reassured her that he was teasing.
He’s as nervous as I am!
“I swear, on my job, that I will pay for the present.” She crossed her heart with two fingers held together like a salute.
He picked at the lumpy tape on the improperly matched seam. “The paper is cute. I love the little elves.”
“Come on, it won’t bite you. Don’t make me do it.”
“I’ll do it. In my own time.”
She inhaled impatiently and he laughed.
Laughter was good, right?
With one fast motion, Brad tore off the paper and tossed it aside. He started laughing as he stared at the present. “A chemistry set?” he chortled.
“You said you always wanted one. Now you can mix dangerous chemicals and do stupid things. With supervision of course,” she added haughtily.
“Does this mean what I think it means?” he asked, all laughter gone from his voice though a smile lingered on his lips and in his eyes.
“Yes. Bradley Scott Putnam, you do not have to quit your job. I’ll adapt. I’ll learn to trust you to be safe.”
“First, my name isn’t Bradley Scott, it’s Bradley James. Second, if I have you to come home to, I’ll be the safest man on the squad. In the province.”
Slowly without taking his eyes off her, he set the box on the coffee table and took her hands. “Sage Taylor, I’ve waited forty-four for this moment.” He smiled at her and leaned closer. “I’m going to kiss you.” He paused. “This is the last chance for you to stop me.”
“Bradley James Putnam, shut up and kiss me.” She closed the distance between them at brushed her lips across his. Electric happiness jolted through her body as she threw her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss.
His lips were firm and soft. He tasted of mint and coffee. Briefly she wondered how he managed that just after dinner, then she decided she didn’t care. She just wanted to spend the rest of her life kissing him. Reveling in the pure sweet love that flowed between them. They kissed until they were breathless. Finally, Brad eased back. She groaned a protest even as she gasped for air. He was one heck of a kisser.
He pulled her arms from around his neck and held her hands again. “One more thing. Sage Elizabeth Taylor, will you marry me?” He dropped to his knees and pulled a velvet box from his pocket. He flipped it open.
She gasped. “It’s beautiful. Is that an emerald?”
“It is. It matches the sweater you were wearing the day we met. I wanted to preserve the day for both of us.” He swallowed hard. “I can exchange it if you don’t like it.”
“I love it. It’s beautiful. Put it on me.”
“You haven’t said yes,” he griped, half serious.
“Yes, yes. A thousand times yes. I adore you, Brad. I love you. Even if you are a fire fighter. I will marry you.”
“Thank God and Christmas,” he declared as he slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. “Merry Christmas, Sage.”
“Merry Christmas, Brad, my love. How did you know my middle name?”
“Easy, I asked your boss. He was happy to share.”
“I’ll tell him a thing or two about confidentiality,” she said, though she was touched that Brad wanted to know everything about her.
“Never mind how I talked to your boss, come here, and give me another one of your sweet kisses. Did you know you taste like sugar cookies?”
She laughed. “Will you still love me when I’m old and fat from eating too many sugar cookies?”
“Sweetheart, I’ll help you bake those cookies.” He pulled her close for another, longer, deeper kiss.
♥♥♥