Husband for Hire (15 page)

“Of course you did.” She smiled at the thought.

He really was a fascinating man.

“The job comes with a house—the one Doc lived in with his late wife and children. It needs an over haul, which Kincaid will start on next week. The compensation will be a far cry from what I'm used to. I had a long talk with Doc right after you left, and he was completely honest about what I should expect, including bartering for food sometimes as payment, but he says it keeps his freezer full.”

He looked so happy. She wanted to be that happy, too. But she was afraid to be.

“I'm in love with you, Becca. I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight, or I wouldn't have agreed to your wild scheme.”

“Gavin—”

“Wait, please. I'm not done. I need to tell you I figured it out.”

She frowned. “Figured what— Oh. The night I told you I was never going to marry or have children.”

“You wouldn't tell me why. You just told me to figure it out. I did. It all started with the dog figurines. They reminded you of your parents, didn't they? Were they gifts?”

“Yes.” She forced the word out. “Birthdays, Christmas, Easter. Whenever.”

“Because you couldn't have a dog. Because of Jeff's allergies.”

She nodded, looked at her lap.

He put a finger under her chin, raising it. “But that isn't everything, is it? That's not what you wanted me to figure out.”

She shook her head.

He finally took her hands in his. “You're afraid to love. Afraid you might die young and leave your children without their mother.”

“It's too hard, Gavin.” Her voice cracked. “Being an orphan. I can't take that chance of leaving my children that way.”

“I can't imagine how you feel. I can only tell you again that I love you. That I want you, need you in my life forever. I think you love me, too. Take a chance, Becca. There are no guarantees in life, only the hope of a long life and happiness. Do you think you'll be happy without love?”

Pancho maneuvered himself to put his head in her lap.

“See? He's asking you, too. He needs you, too. Take a chance. Be ours.”

She bent over Pancho and kissed his head, and then she smiled at Gavin, everything becoming crystal clear. “I love you, too.”

He closed his eyes for several seconds, holding his breath, then let it out in a long stream. And then he kissed her, not a soft meeting of lips but hard and desperate, putting all his emotions into it. They clung
to each other, aware of how differently it could've turned out if… Just
if.

“I have to live in Chance City, Becca. There's no way around that. I know it would be a long commute for you, and you work such long hours, too, but I hope it'll be worth it. I love you. I want to marry you and have children with you. In Chance City, the best place I can think of to do that.”

There was so much to tell him. She wouldn't make the move with the company. She would find something new and challenging to do, with the man she loved by her side. Eric would live an hour away. Life would be so sweet.

The doorbell rang. Eric was early. She flung open the door, happiness rushing through her. She had a lot of explaining to do, but Gavin would be there with her, too.

“So, big brother,” she said, excited and teary eyed. “How would you like to walk me down the aisle?”