Cassidy's Courtship - Cassidy's Courtship Part 34
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Cassidy's Courtship Part 34

"Oh, God, Brenna. I love you so much," he said between long, soul-rending kisses. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I know." She ran her fingers through his hair, traced the outline of his face, pressed her lips across his high cheekbones, then captured his mouth again in a kiss that was as necessary to her as air. "I didn't mean to hurt you, either."

He pulled her across his lap, looped her arms around his neck, and wrapped his own around her back. Holding her close, he rubbed his cheek against her hair. Nothing had ever felt so right, and he wanted to make damn sure she knew there was nothing more important than the two of them together. He wanted to take her upstairs and make long, sweet love to her until they were both mindless. But they had to talk.

"I wish ... I had done things differently the other night." Cole closed his eyes against the remembered hurt of Brenna standing in the middle of the room with tears in her eyes.

"Don't," she whispered, pressing her hands against his mouth.

"But, if I had-"

"Things would have come apart some other time," she finished. "The fault-"

"I don't want any blaming here," he interrupted. "For either of us."

"But-" "No. We can move past that. Weare past that." She brushed his hair off his forehead. "What do you suggest?" "I don't know. I'm just scared to death of losing you." "I know," she whispered around the lump in her throat. He brushed her hair away from her face. "Marry me." She met his gaze and tears filled her eyes. "I love you, Brenna," he whispered. "Marry me." She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it. "I can't. I love you, but don't ask that of me. Not now." "Brenna-" "You'd be ashamed of me." "Never." "I know you don't believe me, but I can't-" "Read?" he finished. "I believe you. I've thought about you all week. I know you were telling me the truth."

"I never finished school-"

"I'll take you in my life any way I can get you."

"It-marriage-will never work. Sooner or later, you'll be in the position of being ashamed to be-"

Cole stilled her words by pressing his fingers against her lips. "I've never known anyone I admire more. I

wasn't angry because you couldn't read. I was angry because-"

"Because I lied to you."

"Ah, fair lady-"

"If I had been truthful..." Brenna swallowed and dropped her gaze from Cole's. "And ... the truth is ... I

won't saddle you with an illiterate wife." She lifted her eyes. "I'm enrolled in a tutoring program, Cole, and I want to go back to school. I want to earn my GED."

"I'm glad," he said, "but I'd want you whether you-" "Would you, Cole?" she whispered. "Honestly? I believe you love me." She touched his cheek. "But foryou to believe in me, to respect me, I need to believe inme , I need to respectme . Do you understand?"

"I'm trying, fair lady."

"Your offer to marry me-"

"Stands," he said.

She smiled. "Ask me the day I've earned my GED. If you still want me then-if you still love me then, I'll

marry you."

"That might take years."

She smiled. "I want to be your wife. That could be a pretty powerful inducement."

He grinned. "Does that mean I can give you a ring?"

"Like going steady?" she teased.

"More like promising to say yes when I ask you to marry me," he answered.

"No diamonds."

"Oh, there will be diamonds," he countered, offering his hand. "But if you insist, I can wait until you have your GED."

"What's this?" she asked, nodding toward his extended arm.

He leaned forward and kissed her. "When we shake hands on this, fair lady, we have a legal, binding contract that I'll hold you to."

Brenna glanced at his large callused hand, then raised her eyes to his. Her lips curved in a smile. "Are there any terms in this contract I should be aware of, Counselor?"

He grinned. "I thought I'd take you upstairs in a minute and demonstrate the terms I have in mind."

She placed her hand in his, trusting in him and the future that would be theirs. "Sounds like a good deal to me." * * * Eighteen months to the day later, Cole waited for Brenna at the end of a platform full of dignitaries passing out GED certificates. She stood with a group of other graduates, her head high. Cole had eyes only for her. Overall, the months had sped by. Brenna had insisted on keeping her own apartment, and the only token of commitment she had accepted from him was his old high-school class ring, which she wore on a chain around her neck. He had never seen anyone work harder. She drove herself relentlessly. Along the way, Michael encouraged her and at the same time reminded her she didn't have to be perfect-all she had to do was her best and let the devil take the hindmost. That encouragement and support cemented his friendship with Cole. Recently she had begun to make plans for college, which he applauded.

Brenna's name was called, and Cole watched her stride across the platform. When she was handed her GED certificate, he took her picture and heard Teddy's and Michael's cheers from the audience.

She came toward him, her smile brilliant. He held out his hand and steadied her as she stepped off the platform. Then he kissed her, took her left hand in his, and slid a huge diamond solitaire on her finger. "I hope you believe in short engagements, fair lady." She laughed, looking so radiant she took his breath away. "Grandmom already told me she's counting on a Valentine's Day wedding." His eyebrows lifted. "That's three weeks away." She smiled. "I know." "Perfect." And it was. * * * *

end.