Authors: Amy Lamont
Joyfully Yours (11 page)
He took a deep breath and moved to stand with just a few inches of space between them. “Faith, I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but in the last month, I’ve come to realize I can’t imagine not having you in my life.”
She tilted her head. Where was this going? “I feel the same way.”
“I had almost given up on finding someone who saw more than the priest. But from the moment we first met, I felt like you really saw me.”
Her eyes stung and filled with tears. He’d done that for her, too. When he looked at her, she didn’t feel like the family screw-up. She felt cherished and like he saw her, flaws and all, and liked her anyway. She was amazed she’d made him feel the same way.
“The truth is, I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you scrounging for change that day in the grocery store.”
Faith swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. “You love me?”
Michael nodded, staring into her eyes.
“I love you, too.” The words came out on a breathless whisper.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” With those words, he reached into his pocket for a small box and at the same time sank to one knee in front of her. He opened the box, but her eyes were fixed on his face. “Faith, I love you more than I thought possible. I know it’s quick, but I know in my heart you are the only woman I can imagine spending my life with. Will you please, marry me?”
Faith stood, cranberries clutched tightly. A few tears escaped from her eyes and a fine trembling took over her body. She tried to answer him, but no sound came out.
“Faith?”
She nodded, his nervous question pulling her a little out of her emotional tumult, but still unable to push the words out.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Yes,” she finally managed, her voice small and shaky. “Yes. I can’t think of anything I would love more than to be your wife.”
Before all the words were out, Michael was on his feet and scooping her into his arms, cans and all. She stood in his embrace, tears of joy streaming from her eyes as they shared a kiss that expressed all the joy they felt at knowing they were loved.
Before they could get too carried away, a throat was cleared behind them. They broke the kiss, but remained standing together, foreheads touching.
“Hey, we all want to get in on the celebration,” Frank said.
Faith and Michael moved only enough to take in the sight of Frank, Maddie, her mother, and her grandparents crowding the entryway of the living room. She was shocked they’d given them privacy long enough for him to propose.
Unperturbed, Michael leaned back with a laugh. “Hang on. We’re not quite done here.”
He pulled his hand still holding the ring box out from behind her back and flipped it open. Faith gasped when she saw the beautiful ring winking up at her.
“It was my grandmother’s,” he said, his voice slightly husky.
“I love it.” She looked up at him and placed a lingering kiss along his jaw. They both looked down at her hands, still hanging on to the cranberries. Faith looked around for somewhere to put them down.
Her mother swooped in and relieved her of the cans. “Honestly, Faith.”
Michael pulled the ring from the velvet box. He tucked the box into his pocket and then picked up Faith’s left hand, sliding the ring into place.
Faith looked at the ring now adorning her finger, visible proof of the feelings they shared. Tears blurred her vision, and she looked up at Michael.
“It’s perfect.” She leaned in and they shared a tender kiss before Faith pulled back a little. “Almost as perfect as you.”
About the Author
Amy Lamont writes contemporary and New Adult romance about quirky heroines and hunky heroes.
Over the years she’s had some jobs she loved (working as a program coordinator for a non-profit animal rescue), some jobs she liked (freelance writing), and some jobs she hated (her experience as a waitress has turned her into the excellent tipper she is today). But nothing gives her greater joy than writing romances that pack an emotional punch and come with a guaranteed happily ever after.
Amy lives in New England with her husband, twin daughters, and two rescue mutts. She loves chatting with readers.
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Cover art by Derek Murphy, Creative Indie Covers
Edited by Marcy Kennedy
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