Authors: Downs,Adele
Luxury Model Wife (31 page)
Steve held up a glass when she entered the room. “Mimosa?”
“Love one.” She took the concoction of champagne and orange juice from his outstretched hand.
Before she could taste it, Steve wrapped his fingers through her hair with his free hand and kissed her full on the mouth. His kiss was deep and warm, and filled with longing.
“I am so proud of you, Madame Chairperson,” he whispered.
Victoria kissed him back. “Having your support means everything to me. You’ll make a great community liaison. Thanks again for recruiting Captain Leighton and Officer Wilson.”
Steve chuckled. “Leighton was easy. Wilson needed sensitivity training and the captain thought your board would be a good fit for him.”
“He’s a smart man.”
“That’s why he made captain.”
They toasted the success of their first board meeting and sipped their drinks.
Steve took Victoria’s hand and led her to her favorite chintz-covered chair. She sat, kicked off her shoes, and tucked her feet beneath her legs. Then she closed her eyes and relished the sensations of love, warmth, and comfort surrounding her.
Steve refilled their glasses and then placed them on a table next to Victoria. “I waited to give you my gift until we had time alone.” He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small velvet box, and dropped to one knee in the pose any woman would recognize.
Her fingers trembled when she took the box and lifted the lid.
“Do you like it?”
The classic diamond was exquisite. Perfect. The stone was brilliant white and cut with a multitude of shining facets. Inside the gold band, the inscription read:
Always.
“I wanted the ring to be new, not antique, to represent our fresh start.”
She and Steve would tie the Carlsons and Van Orrs together forever.
“I love you, and I want to be your husband more than I’ve ever wanted anything.” He took her left hand and kissed the delicate skin along the inside of her wrist. “Will you marry me?”
As if anticipating her need to wait until the Van Orr Foundation had been firmly established, he added, “You pick the date. But keep in mind that I’d like to start a family in a couple of years.” Steve squeezed her fingers. “Our kids might grow up to help you with the foundation—or help me run the shops.”
“Who knows, maybe they’ll become a doctor or an architect,” she replied.
Victoria looked around the room, absorbing its history. She felt more at peace in this house than she ever had. For the first time, she knew she had more than lived up to the Van Orr name.
Steve had once said he’d never been second string.
She understood now she’d never been second-class.
Victoria touched Florence Van Orr’s wedding ring on the third finger of her left hand and gave it a twist. The ring symbolized more than affection. It symbolized strength tested by time and perseverance.
Florence, James’s grandmother, had helped build the Van Orr dynasty with unyielding faith and hard work. Like Victoria, she’d once been a widow who had risen from the ashes to build a solid future for herself and her family with the man she loved. Victoria would honor Florence by doing the same. She would become Victoria Van Orr Carlson and remember to always stay strong.
After whispering words of gratitude for all that the ring represented, she moved it to the third finger of her right hand.
Victoria extended her left hand to Steve so he could place his engagement ring there. When he kissed her, she knew she loved him in a way she never thought possible for a woman to love a man. With him she’d found love, passion, and the comfort of friendship.
Of course she would marry him. Gladly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adele Downs is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than 20 romance titles, including those written under another pen name, and a former journalist with hundreds of articles to her credit. When not writing in her home office in rural Pennsylvania, she can be found reading a book on the nearest beach, taking photographs, or riding in her convertible.
Visit Adele Downs at
www.adeledowns.com
.
OTHER BOOKS BY ADELE DOWNS
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