Cross My Heart (24 page)

Her heart swelled. “Well. As it happens, there’s been a slight change of plans. The band came to a mutual agreement at about two o’clock this morning. We’re getting back together, but part time. We’ll tour and record during the summer. I’m planning to teach during the school year—maybe in Des Moines.”

For a minute he just looked at her, and Jenna wondered how she could have believed even for a second that she could live without him.

He slipped the ring out of the box and took her left hand in both of his. “Is that a yes, Jenna? Will you marry me?”

There was a squeak—nothing more. A tiny squeak of excitement. But it was enough to make them aware that Claire was standing in the kitchen doorway, staring at them with enormous eyes and both hands covering her mouth.

“My God, don’t stop now! Keep going, keep going!”

When they looked at each other again, they were both grinning. “Yes,” she said, her voice shaking a little. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Michael slid the ring on her finger while Claire whooped. She ran over to hug Jenna, then her dad, and then Jenna again. Then she backed away, towards the door, talking the whole time. “I’m going to spend the day at Ellie’s. Also the night. You won’t see me until tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon, in fact. And...I love you guys.”

Then she was gone, slamming the door behind her.

Michael turned to her with a glint in his eye. “Can you think of a way to pass the time?”

“Well...I could use another lesson in waffle-making.”

“Not what I had in mind,” he told her. He pulled her out of the chair and into his arms, and kissed her until her bones melted.

Then he scooped her up against his chest and carried her towards the stairs.

A minute later they tumbled onto the bed. “I love you,” Michael said when he could finally pull away from her.

“I love you, too. God, I love you so much.”

He laced his fingers through hers and looked down at their joined hands. “Magic,” he said softly.

Like the flow of music, Jenna could feel the harmony and counterpoint between them—the balance of mind and heart, body and soul.

“Magic,” she agreed.

And it was.

About the Author

Abigail Strom started writing stories at the age of seven and has never been able to stop. She lives in New England with her family, who are incredibly supportive of the hours she spends hunched over her computer. You can visit her website at www.abigailstrom.com; find her on Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter; or email her at [email protected]. She loves to hear from readers.

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