Southern Admirer (Southern Loving Book 2) (27 page)

“You didn’t have to,” she said in awe, as he
placed the tray on her lap. She smiled and picked up a single red rose,
inhaling. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, baby.”

“Anything.”

“Where is Shay?” she asked, looking at the empty
crib.

“She is with your grandmother.” He cut a piece of
waffle and fed it to her.

Jasmine chewed slowly. Even after her accident her
parents haven’t come around on their stance regarding Shane or on the
grandparents. “I thought we should do a family dinner.”

“I can see what you’re trying to do St. Clair, and
it probably won’t work.”

Jasmine took the fork away from Shane and fed him.
“I know but we have to try…we can’t be like them…we can’t have our child not
knowing anything about her grandparents.”

“Eat and stop stressing about everything,” he
spoke softly. “I will support this dinner but I will not allow you to overextend
yourself…I don’t want a shouting match just like the baby shower and the
hospital.”

Jasmine grimaced. “You heard that?”

“I think the whole hospital heard ya’ll,” he said,
eating a piece of bacon. “I didn’t have to rush in there because you held you
own.”

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

“Honey, you don’t have to thank me for doing what
a man is supposed to do.” His green eyes stared into hers. “I’m proud of you.
You never cease to amaze me.”

“You’re going to make me cry,” she said.

“Doll, your courage is an inspiration to me and I
can only sit back in admiration at the woman you are.” Their breakfast was
forgotten as he thumbed away her tears that spilled from her eyes. “I’m
impressed with who you became and that you refused to allow this setback to
define you…you didn’t allow this to change your heart.”

“This has been a journey,” she acknowledged. “At
times more intense than ever imagined. But to know that you’re my teammate on
this journey, gives me hope and comfort.”

Shane moved the tray and placed it on the
nightstand, picking her and sat her on his lap. “We will continue to grow
together,” he paused.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, searching his eyes.
Jasmine could sense that there was something else that he wanted to share with
her.

“You should get dressed, A.J. will be here soon,”
Shane said after he cleared his throat. Reaching over he lifted the plate from
the table and started to feed her again.

“So, what’s the story about A.J.?” she asked with
a mouth full of food. “He seems so sad.”

“Every couple goes through a rough patch,” he
replied. “A.J. was somewhat a womanizer in his pro-football days. Let’s just
say that life has finally caught up with him.”

“He cheated?” she asked.

“We’re not going to gossip about another man’s
private life,” Shane responded. “But on another note, we’re going out for
dinner tonight.”

“I don’t know.” Jasmine was still uncomfortable
with being in a wheelchair, a small part of her self-esteem was low.

“Nope.” He shook his head. “I can’t take no for an
answer.”

“Well, if you insist.” She kissed his lips before
going back to eating her food as Shane watched on.

Chapter Thirteen

“Where are we going?” she asked as the truck went
down the road.

“You will see when we get there,” Shane laughed. This
was Jasmine’s fifth time asking that question since they got in the truck.

She tsked. “You’re starting to get on my nerves,
one little peek won’t hurt,” Jasmine started to reach for the blindfold on her
face.

“Nuh un uh, sugar. No peeking,” he laughed,
tapping her hand.

“Crap,” she said aloud. “I know you’re smirking
over there.”

“
I know you’re smirking over there
,” he
mimicked.

“Shut up McBride!” she yelled as the car came to a
complete stop.

Shane hurriedly to the passenger side and picked
Jasmine up. “You may take off the blindfold.” He watched as tears welled up in
her eyes. She was absolutely speechless. “I started building the farmhouse,
four months ago.”

Shane’s heart warmed and he couldn’t help but
smile. He knew that she’d love it. During the building of the house, he second
guessed himself thinking she wouldn’t like it.

“What is it?” she sputtered.

“Well darling, they called this a farmhouse with
3,500 square feet that we’re going to fill with love and children,” he said as
they stood and gazed up at the whitewashed three-story Colonial. “Six bedrooms,
five bathrooms and a pool…even a small cottage guest house for your
grandparents when they visit. If it was daylight, you would be able to see the
weeping willow tree.”

“This is so surreal,” she said.

“Are you okay to stand?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

Shane got down on his knee, receiving a gasp from
Jasmine. “You have put a spell on my body and soul. I want to spend the rest of
my life with you. I can’t tell you that you will be happy, sad, or mad at me.
But I will tell you that you won’t have any regrets to becoming my wife.” Shane
reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple, flawless engagement ring. “My
father gave my mother this ring, forty-eight years ago when his mother gave it
to him for when he found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his with…she
gave it to me two months ago.”

Right there, she was lost in his green eyes. “I
have found mine everything in you. I don’t need all the diamonds in the
world…all I need is you to hold me and give me love.”

“I promise that I will give you all of me. Jasmine
Bly St. Clair, will you be my wife?”

Jasmine took a deep breath before mustering all
her energy to get down on her knees in front of him.

“Jasmine, you shouldn’t—” Shane started to stay
but receive a finger against his lips. He could tell she was in pain, but it
didn’t stop her from getting down on her knees.

“These past few months have opened my eyes. You
are my something to believe in and the compass to guide me home.” Her eyes
sparkled in the moonlight, as she reached into her bag and pulled out a black
wedding ring. “You were my strength when I was weak. Gave me faith when I
couldn’t believe. Yes, I will marry you because I’m marrying my best friend.
The question is will you marry me?”

Shane stared in disbelief at Jasmine. She was
proposing him to him. “When did you have a chance to get a ring?” he asked.

“My grandmother gave it to me, the first day I
went to visit her.”

“And you’re just now asking me?”

“She said to give it to you when I was
wholeheartedly sure about my future…I fall in love with you every single day.”

“Yes Jasmine, I will be your husband,” he howled.

“Kiss me under a thousand stars.” She leaned into
him, tilting her upwards. He obliged happily, slipping his tongue into her
perfect mouth. The kiss was sweet and tender.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.” He stood up and picked her up.
“Now let me show you our new house.”

When their eyes connected, Shane still couldn’t
believe that this woman choose him. He was going to cling onto this love. This
love with Jasmine left an everlasting sweet taste in his mouth. He could
already imagine their happily ever after in this house that he made a home. For
her.