Letting Go (Vista Falls #3) (25 page)

Colt wasn’t big on talking about his feelings, but when he did, he usually brought tears to her eyes. She was sure this would be no different.

“When Wes suggested we move back to Vista Falls, I thought I would have to live the rest of my life loving you from afar. I never believed you’d give me a second chance to love you like this.” His hand skimmed her body, just grazing the blue string bikini he’d already removed numerous times. “To be a part of your life, the man you turn to when you need help or hope or just to share, that’s been the greatest gift anyone has ever given me.”

Cue the waterworks. Tears were already slipping down her cheeks, but she didn’t have to hide her vulnerability from Colt anymore. He’d seen her at her best and worst and loved her regardless.

“I’ll never take that for granted. I want you to know that.”

She nodded because the words she wanted to say were stuck in her throat. Though she sensed this wasn’t her turn to talk. It was her time to listen to things she’d been waiting to hear her whole life from the man who’d changed her in the best possible way.

“I had no idea how to be a part of something,” he said, staring at a strip of sand between their beach towels. “I knew how to be part of a partnership for the purpose of building a business, but I didn’t know how to be a part of something bigger that would last forever.” He bit his lip, looking adorably uncertain. “I didn’t know how to be part of a family or a couple. I didn’t know if I could ever be a parent. And until I figured that out, I couldn’t even think about committing my life to you. Because I knew you wanted and deserved all those things.”

She’d seen the changes in Colt over the last several months, but there were certain things they didn’t talk about—like having a family or living together. They just enjoyed what they had with an unspoken agreement to let the future take care of itself.

“When we were having dinner with your parents last week, your father said something that made me realize I was ready for this.”

Gabby’s parents had finally given Colt the chance they hadn’t been willing to give him in high school, and they’d learned to love and respect him because they could see how much he loved their daughter. Gabby had never thought her parents would be his biggest champions, but that’s exactly what they had become, even teasing them about the perfect time of year for a wedding.

“He said he knew he wanted to marry your mother when he looked into her eyes and saw his future.” He swallowed, taking Gabby’s hand and bringing it to his lips. “He said that he saw the children they would have. The special occasions and the mundane days when there was work to do and bills to pay.”

Gabby’s father had never told her that, yet she was glad he’d shared it with Colt. Her father and Colt had developed a special bond thanks to their shared passion for fishing and hunting. She hoped Colt would have the kind of relationship with her father he’d never had and always wanted with his own.

“He said he knew there was no other person he’d rather have by his side during good times and bad… and that’s exactly how I feel about you.” His voice was soft as he opened the box to reveal a brilliant round diamond on a narrow band. It was large but breathtaking in its simplicity. Like the man giving it to her, it made a statement of clarity and quality without being flashy or ostentatious.

“I can’t promise I won’t make mistakes as I figure this thing out.” He took the ring out of the box and let the box rest on the sand, still open. “What I can promise you is that I’ll always love you, never intentionally hurt you, and admit when I’m wrong.” He smirked. “Followed by an apology, of course. So if you think you can live with that, flaws and all—”

“I can!” She covered her mouth when she realized she’d interrupted the next, most important part, making him chuckle.

“Gabrielle, will you marry me?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” She giggled and sobbed when he slipped the ring on her finger.

She knew he must have been able to taste the salty tears on her lips when he bent to kiss her, but that was okay. He’d promised to take the sweet with the bitter, and she intended to hold him to that.

***

My fiancée.
Those two little words continued to reverberate through Colt’s mind as he made love to Gabby with the sand beneath them and the sun beating down on them. The roar of the ocean at their backs was muted by the rumble of their beating hearts as he watched his lover, the woman who would one day be the mother of his children, give herself to him in a way she never had before.

She’d loved him unconditionally, but he had always sensed she was a little guarded, reserving a piece of her heart until he could prove to her that he wouldn’t break it again. The ring on her finger was more than a symbol. It was a promise. His promise that he would be a better man.

He’d made great strides. He didn’t lose his temper as often, and when he did, he found new ways to deal with it. Gabby had helped with that, reminding him that nothing looked or felt as bad when they were wrapped in each other’s arms.

The fears he’d had about taking his anger out on their children the way his father had had dissipated too. Every day that passed served to remind him that he wasn’t his dad. He’d achieved things his old man could only have dreamed of. He’d learned to be a good man all on his own. A good friend, business partner, son, brother, mentor, and lover.

And now, with Gabby’s help and encouragement, he’d learn how to be a good husband and father. He was confident that he was finally up to the task, and the way she looked at him erased any lingering doubts he may have had… because she believed in him. And that was enough.

“You’re in your head again,” she whispered, grasping his face.

“No, I’m lost in you.”

It was true. When he was with her, the other demands on his time didn’t matter. The pile of work on his desk, the ringing phone, texts, or emails all ceased to exist. There was just her. Her smile, her laugh, the way his chest expanded with gratitude when she wrapped her arms around him and told him she loved him. His world began and ended with her. Everything else he could survive without. But without her? He wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Let go,” she whispered, pulling him close.

He did as she asked while whispering, “I already have, baby.”

He’d let go of the man he used to be… the one who ran when he wanted to stay. It had taken him a long time to realize that letting go could be even more liberating than holding on too tight.

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