When We Met (21 page)

“Hi, Kenny.”

The tallest of the three smiled back, tentatively. “Hey, munchkin.”

Taryn pushed her way through the phalanx. “It's okay,” she told the guys, then looked at him. “Angel.”

He hadn't seen her in nearly two weeks. She was pale and there were dark circles under her eyes. She'd always been thin, but he would guess she'd lost weight she couldn't afford to lose. Her eyes were wary; her mouth trembled at the corner.

In that moment, he saw what he'd done to her and he was ashamed. Taryn had been nothing but an unexpected gift and he'd emotionally brought her to her knees. What had he been thinking?

“I'm sorry,” he told her. “Taryn, I'm sorry. I was wrong. Incredibly wrong. When I lost Marie and Marcus, I kept telling myself that if I'd been there, I could have saved them. What I didn't realize was that while that was true, it wasn't real. I could never be there every second.”

A muscle tightened in her cheek. Otherwise, there were no changes and he didn't know what she was thinking. Around them the parade went on. Music blared from speakers, and friends and family called out to their FWM girls as they walked by. Except in their little corner.

“I felt guilty and lost,” Angel continued. “I loved them. They were my family and then they were gone. I didn't think I could go on. But I did. I made my way here and I started to heal.”

He took a chance and reached for her hand. She let him, but he continued to wonder what was going on behind those blue-violet eyes of hers.

“Then I met you.” He smiled. “You're amazing. Smart and determined. Strong as...” He stopped as he remembered the Acorns listening intently. “Really strong. I was intrigued and impressed. I thought we would be good together. But I never thought I'd fall in love again. You see, I learned the wrong lesson from loving Marie and Marcus. Instead of learning that love is a gift to be treasured for as long as we have it, I learned that I hadn't kept them safe. So I could never keep anyone safe.”

He heard a sniffle from behind him. Before he could turn and figure out who was upset, Kenny pushed past him and dropped to his knees.

“Munchkin, what's wrong?”

“I'm okay,” Chloe said, sniffing again. “Sometimes I miss my dad. But Angel's right. I loved him and he loved me and that's like a gift.”

Kenny pulled the little girl to him. His hands were huge on her narrow back, but she clung to him fiercely. Kenny shot Taryn a “for God's sake, help me” look, but she turned back to Angel.

“You kept me safe,” she told him. “You saved Regan and Chloe and me.”

“I know, and it scared me. That I could have lost you. That I was there. When you said...” He paused, aware of their audience. “You know what you said.”

“Did you tell him you love him?” Olivia asked. “My mom says men have trouble with that sometimes because they're emotionally immature.”

“Gee, thanks,” Sam told the girl.

Taryn's mouth twitched. She looked back at Angel. “When I said I loved you, you freaked out.”

“I did,” he admitted. “I felt guilty and confused. I wanted to be with you, but what if I couldn't keep you safe, either? What if we had kids and something bad happened?”

The girls started whispering.

Taryn's mouth curved up into a smile. “Stop,” she said. “No one is pregnant. Are we clear?”

Chloe stepped away from Kenny. “I'd like a little brother or sister. I've told Mom, but she says that isn't going to happen.” She turned to Regan. “She would have to get married first.”

Angel swore under his breath. When had he lost control of the situation? This was not how he'd planned on telling Taryn how he felt.

He looked at her and realized control was nothing but an illusion. All any of them had was this moment. He'd been blessed with two amazing women in his life. It was about time he recognized that.

He pulled the wreath off his head and put it on Taryn's, then reached for her other hand.

“I'm sorry I hurt you,” he told her, staring into her eyes. “I'm sorry I didn't recognize how lucky I was to have you love me. I'm sorry I disappeared without an explanation. It won't happen again.”

“Okay,” she said slowly.

“I love you, Taryn. I think I have from the first time I saw you.”

Her lower lip began to tremble, but she didn't speak. Tears filled her eyes.

He pulled her into his arms. She went easily, fitting in as if she'd always belonged with him. Her arms came around his body and pulled him close.

“I love you,” he whispered, so only she could hear. “For always. Later, I want to do it right. On one knee. But just so you know, I mean to marry you and grow old with you.”

“Naked?” she asked softly.

He pulled back a little and stared at her. “You want me naked when I'm old?”

She giggled. “No. During the proposal.”

He gave her a slow smile. “I can make that happen.”

“What are they saying?” Allison asked. “I can't hear them.”

“Probably for the best,” Jack said. “All right, you two. That's enough emotion for any afternoon. Break it up. These girls have to be in a parade.”

Angel held out his hand to Taryn. “Come with us.”

Taryn felt the hole in her heart finally heal. She hadn't been looking for love, but somehow it had found her. Found them. She took Angel's hand and knew, no matter what, she was never letting go.

They stepped into the street and the girls walked with them.

When they reached the end of the parade, Denise Hendrix was waiting. As each girl walked by, she handed her a small wooden bead.

“The family bead,” Angel said.

Taryn pulled her leather bracelet out of her pocket. “I'm ready for mine.”

Denise saw them and smiled. They each took a bead. Before Taryn could put hers on her bracelet, he drew her close and kissed her.

“You know I agreed to continue with the grove,” he told her.

“I hadn't heard.”

“I'm going to need an assistant.”

“Yes, you are.”

He touched her cheek. “I'd like it to be you.”

She sighed happily. “I'm pretty sure that can be arranged.”

* * * * *

Read on for an excerpt from
THE GIRLS OF MISCHIEF BAY
, book one in the Mischief Bay series!