Forever And A Day (Montana Brides, Book #7) (29 page)

***

A week later Sarah was sitting upstairs in Emily’s boutique, looking through the digital photos on Emily’s computer. “These are amazing. Who took them?”

“Molly.”

“Have you found out why she decided to stay in Bozeman?”

Emily smiled. “I’ve got no idea. Probably for the same reason most people end up here. They fall in love with the land and can’t leave.”

“Or a cowboy.”

“That too.”

Sarah ignored the goofy expression on her friend’s face. Ever since Emily had arrived back from her honeymoon she’d looked the same. With her head in the clouds and a husband who adored her, she’d never been happier.

Sarah kept scrolling through the images. “It’s going to be hard choosing which ones to put on your website.”

“All of the clothes you’re looking at are in my latest collection. Whatever photos aren’t included on the website will be in my catalog.”

“Have you thought about what we discussed the other day?”

Emily nodded. “I’ve narrowed down the look I want. And the interactive elements are so much better than what I’ve got now.” She pulled out a pile of paper and passed everything to Sarah. “This is what I thought would look good. What do you think?”

Sarah flicked through the sheets. “The website will look great. I’ll work with what you’ve given me and get back to you in a week.”

“Are you sure about this? Tess said you’re starting your new job soon.”

“It’s fine. I’ve still got two weeks before I need to be in San Francisco.”

Emily pushed a lock of red hair behind her ear. “Are you excited?”

Sarah didn’t know how she felt about her new job. Once she met the team she’d be working with she’d feel better. The last week had been a whirlwind of signing contracts, organizing furniture to be shipped out from Portland, and spending time with Jordan.

“I’m not excited exactly, but I’m looking forward to being part of a team. Datajet is working on some innovative projects.”

“Why did you want to work for another company? You did so well on your own.”

Emily knew why and it had absolutely nothing to do with whether she’d been successful or not. “I miss working with other people. I like the idea of using our collective brain power to fix a problem and not having to do it all myself. Two years of my life disappeared when I developed my last software program.”

“I feel the same about designing clothes,” Emily said. “I make an effort to keep in contact with my suppliers from around the world. And the design classes we’re running in the boutique are wonderful. Working on your own can be a lonely way of life if you’re not careful.”

Sarah frowned at the website plan in front of her. “Do you want to add a page for your classes? People could register online?”

Emily clapped her hands together. “That would be great. Could we take photos of their projects and post them on the website?”

“Better than that,” Sarah said. “We’ll link your blog to the website and people can comment on what they see.”

“It’s going to look so good. I love what you did with Jordan’s website.”

Sarah liked it too. The students in Sally’s class had been amazed at how good it looked after she’d put the website together. And it was doing what they’d set out to do. Twenty percent more people were finding Jordan’s website and vacation bookings were filling up fast.

The doorbell downstairs jingled and Emily jumped off her chair. “I’ll be back soon.”

While she was waiting for Emily, Sarah opened her laptop and started making changes to their plan.

“Sarah?”

She looked up and the smile on her face got wider. Jordan was standing on the staircase.

He walked up the last few steps and waited at the top. “Emily said you were here.”

She stared at him. Jordan never looked nervous, but today he looked terrified. “What’s happened?”

“Nothing. Everything’s fine.”

It didn’t look fine to Sarah. But one thing she’d learned was that he’d tell her what was going on when he was ready. And he wasn’t ready now. She closed her laptop and put all of the papers Emily had given her in a folder. “Emily and I have just finished. I’ll leave so you can talk to her.”

“I didn’t come here to see Emily. I came to see you.”

“How did you know I was here?”

A blush worked its way across his face. “Gracie mentioned something about you helping Emily today. With her website.”

“If you’re not here to see Emily, do you want to go to Tess’ café? She’s made lemon and ginger muffins. Emily said they’re delicious.”

“Would you mind if I sat down?” He nodded at the chair Emily had been sitting in.

“Umm…no, help yourself.”

He took his jacket off and folded his long frame into the chair. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”

“You have?”

Jordan nodded. “About us.”

It was Sarah’s turn to get nervous. Maybe the time they’d spent together over the last week had been a huge mistake. Maybe the more time Jordan spent with her, the less he liked her. But he’d seemed so happy. So normal.

“I’m sorry if this comes out of nowhere, but I need to say it. I can’t keep pretending.”

Jordan looked down at his hands and tears filled Sarah’s eyes. He was breaking up with her, saying goodbye.

“I’m sorry, Sarah. I’ve been acting like a fool. I love you.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“I didn’t mean to say…
oh, hell
. I was supposed to leave the ‘I love you’ part until the end. But I’ve gotten everything mixed up and I don’t know what to say.”

Sarah felt like she’d been zapped by a stun gun. “You love me?”

He took a deep breath. “I love you so much that I can’t imagine my life without you.” Tears filled his eyes. “I feel like I’ve been treading water my entire life. Waiting for you.”

“You do?” She’d imagined Jordan telling her he loved her in so many different ways. But none of them had been in Emily’s boutique, squashed between a mannequin and a sewing table. But she didn’t care. Her heart felt like it was going to explode with happiness. “I love you, too.”

She leaned across to hug him, but he leaped out of the chair so fast that she nearly landed on the floor. “What’s wrong?”

Jordan wiped his hands on the side of his jeans. “I need to get this right and I can’t concentrate when I’m close to you.” He took two steps back, breathed deeply, then stepped forward. Before she could ask him what he was doing, he knelt on the floor on one knee.

White spots danced in front of her eyes. She dropped her head between her legs and focused on breathing.

Jordan reached across and rubbed her back. “Don’t tell me you’re going to faint?”

Sarah shook her head. “Just need a minute.” She took another breath, then slowly straightened.

Jordan disappeared for a few seconds then came back with a glass of water. “Drink this.”

She was trembling so much that she couldn’t hold the glass without spilling it.

Jordan cradled her hands in his and lifted the glass to her lips. “Better?”

Sarah nodded. She put the glass on the table and dropped her hands to her lap.

“Tell me if you feel light-headed again, okay?” He got down on one knee and tears slid down Sarah’s face.

He took a deep breath and held her hands. “I’m not the richest guy in the world and I don’t know much about computers, but I love you. I love you more than I can fit inside my heart. If I had to choose how to spend the last minute of my life, it would be in your arms.” He wiped his eyes and gripped her hands. “I want to grow old with you, have children with you. I want so badly to be part of your life. Sarah Thornton, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight. She cried against him, leaned on his strength and his kindness. He was everything she’d been looking for and she loved him so much.

“Is that a yes?” he asked hopefully.

“It’s a huge yes,” Sarah whispered. She sat back, found a tissue and blew her nose.

“I didn’t show you the ring.” Jordan sounded devastated.

“It doesn’t matter.” She laughed. “I won’t change my mind.”

“Wait here. Don’t move.”

Sarah didn’t think there was much hope of her going anywhere. Her legs felt like jelly.

Jordan picked up his jacket and looked through the pockets. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found a little black box.

He walked back to her and knelt on the wooden floor. Inside the box, nestled on black satin, was a beautiful square cut diamond ring.

“It’s lovely, Jordan.”

His hands trembled as he lifted it out of the box. “I had the band engraved.”

Sarah looked up at him, then down at the ring. He put it in her hand. She turned it sideways and read the inscription.
Forever and a day
. Her voice caught on the meaning behind his carefully chosen words.

“That’s how long I’ll love you,” Jordan whispered.

More tears streamed down her face as he slipped the ring on her finger.

“That’s how long we’ll love each other.” Sarah held him close and knew that whatever happened they would always have each other. And that was the most important thing in the world.

“Does this mean you’re officially engaged?” Emily stood at the top of the staircase, grinning at them.

Sarah wiped her face and grinned back. “Yes, yes, and triple yes.”

Jordan picked her up and swung her in a circle. “Welcome to our new life together, Mrs. McKenzie.”

“It’s about time.” Emily sighed. “I thought we’d have to rustle up another snowstorm to make you see how perfect you are together.”

“We don’t need a snowstorm now,” Jordan said. “But I’d be happy to pretend. Our last set of guests left the ranch this morning.”

Sarah kissed him soundly on the lips. “Did I tell you I’ve got a good imagination?”

“And I’m good with possibilities,” Jordan whispered. “We’re a match made in heaven. I love you, Legs.”

Sarah smiled. “Love you, too. For forever and a day.”

THE END

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Forever and a Day.
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Keep reading for a preview of
All of Me
,
Tess and Logan’s story in the new spin off series,
The Bridesmaids Club
!

ALL OF ME

The Bridesmaids Club, Book 1

Four friends. Twenty-two bridesmaids’ dresses.

One random act of kindness that will change their lives forever.

Tess stared at the cartons of buttermilk she’d left on the counter overnight. By mistake.

She wouldn’t panic. She’d strutted down the runways of top fashion houses in Europe, stood in front of photographers wearing haute couture masterpieces. She would not cry over a little sour milk.

Except it wasn’t a little bit. It was her last four quarts. She’d promised the Groovy Grans Motorcycle Club that she’d have blueberry buttermilk pancakes ready for them at seven o’clock. She checked her watch. In an hour and a half she’d have fifteen unhappy grans standing in her café, wondering what had happened to their breakfast.

She needed buttermilk and she needed it fast. She took a deep breath and grabbed her jacket. Safeway would be open. She could race across Bozeman, buy the buttermilk and be back in fifteen minutes. She’d make the pancakes. Then she’d start on the muffins, cakes, pies and scones that her other customers would be waiting for.

She opened the front door, raced across to her car, then remembered her wallet. She searched her pockets for the keys to her café. She thought she’d put them in her jacket pocket. She looked on the passenger seat, the back seats. They weren’t there. Maybe she’d tossed them in her tote bag?