Authors: Marilyn Shank
Bride by Mistake (23 page)
“I had fun, Meg,” he continued. “I couldn’t wait to see you again. I couldn’t wait to touch you again. And you probably noticed that I kissed you every chance I got. To be honest, while I felt confused most of the time, I loved every minute that we spent together.”
“You…you did?”
“I did.”
Meg took the first deep breath she’d taken all day. It felt heavenly. “Except for the rampant guilt,” she said, “I enjoyed it too.”
Zach’s grin was back. “You did?”
“Very much.”
Zach slipped his arm around her shoulders, and his touch sent her heart soaring, “Here’s the bottom line,” he said. “I’m in love with you, Meg O’Malley. Deeply and passionately in love with you. For real, not pretend.”
Her heart beat double time as she heard Zach say those words. “And I love you, Zach Addison. Deeply and passionately.” The excitement in Zach’s sensual gray eyes filled Meg’s heart with joy.
“Then I suggest we go out for brunch and get acquainted. Since you know a lot about me, you’ll need to do most of the talking. You can fill me in on your life. The real one, this time.”
Meg smiled. “I’d love that, Zach.”
“And promise you won’t leave anything out. I want to know every little detail.”
“Even about my boyfriend?”
He frowned. “Your boyfriend? What boyfriend?”
“My former boyfriend. I called Martin this morning, and told him I’d fallen in love with someone else.”
“You did? Even after we argued and I left?”
“Especially then. I didn’t know I could love a man as much as I love you, Zach. And while Martin is a wonderful man, I can’t possibly marry him. You taught me what real love feels like.”
“And you did that for me, Meg. Look, I don’t know what will happen between us, but I assume that after many hours of conversation, I’ll ask you to marry me. All over again.”
Meg’s heart nearly exploded with joy. “Do you think so?”
“I sure do. And I think there’s a distinct possibility you’ll say yes.”
She nodded happily. “I’d say it was a sure thing.”
“Then why not wear this ring—for now, at least. I don’t want another guy showing up and staking his claim.”
“That isn’t going to happen, Zach. Not now, not ever.”
“Then may I?”
Meg extended her hand, and tears misted her eyes as Zach slipped the magnificent diamond onto her finger. “Oh, Zach. It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s what you said the day we picked it out.”
“And it’s still true.”
Zach leaned toward Meg and kissed her. After all that had happened, she thought they’d never share another kiss. And certainly never share a future together. To her delight, she was wrong!
As Zach held her in his arms, the attraction Meg had experienced all week came rushing back, more forcefully than ever. It was accompanied by the deep love she now felt for him.
And Meg knew, deep in her heart, that the ring was where it was supposed to be: on the third finger of her left hand.
And it was there to stay.
A big thank-you to two terrific editors, Claire Caterer and Jen Graham.
I greatly appreciate your insights!
Photo by Olan Mills, 2001
T
HOUGH SHE WAS
born in Chicago, Marilyn Shank has lived in Independence, Missouri, since she was a young girl. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and speaks German fluently. Before succumbing to her passion for writing, Marilyn worked as a legal secretary and an office manager, and was the founder and owner of Word Power, a small editing-services business. Marilyn is the author of several romance novels and also teaches writing workshops in public schools and libraries. When she’s not writing, Marilyn enjoys reading, amateur radio operation, and traveling the world with her husband.
