Campaigning for Love (16 page)

“I read the article. In fact, I read it ten times. Are you doing this because you think I really want to win that bad?”

“Nick, you wouldn’t have run if you didn’t want to win.”

“You know what I mean. Did you withdraw because I was going to withdraw for you?”

“No, I withdrew because I entered the race partly to get even with your father and that was wrong. I’ve never had any interest in politics as a career. I prefer my volunteer work. You’ve worked and prepared for this your whole life. I didn’t want to risk people voting for me because of my volunteer work and the Citizen award. This was the best way.”

“You think it’s best because it’s too late for me to withdraw.”

“You’re not withdrawing.” She folded her arms across her chest, ready to argue. “You’re going to win and accept the nomination. And years from now, you’ll be governor or maybe a senator, and then, who knows, maybe president. You were meant to serve. I did it this way to keep you from ruining your chance at fulfilling your destiny.”

A muffled whimper caught her attention. She turned toward the far side of the porch and spotted a large basket with a blue bow tied to the handle. “What’s that?”

“I brought you a present.”

She reached up and touched the brooch pinned to her scarf. “I believe you’ve already given me a nice enough gift to cover years’ worth of future obligations.”

“Nah, this one’s to help me out.”

She waited while he walked over to the basket. He squatted down and quirked his lips into a lopsided grin. “Trust me.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

He pulled the blanket back and up sprang a golden head with chocolate brown eyes.

“Oh, he’s precious.” She was on her knees in front of the basket before Nick could lift the puppy out of its nest.

“How do you know it’s a he?”

She pointed to the bow. “Blue ribbon.”

“Oh, yeah, that. Okay, so you pay attention to details.”

The puppy snuggled against her while she held him in her lap. He had a sparkly collar around his neck.

“I told you I’m not home enough to take care of a puppy.” She wanted to be upset with him. Her emotions were a mess and he wasn’t playing fair. But this little guy was too cute for her to stay mad.

“I know, but he needs a good home. I can’t keep him at my apartment so we need a new place to stay.”

“We? Don’t you mean ‘he’?”

“No, I mean us. We’re a package deal.”

Her head spun and the world tipped. The frantic beat of her heart drummed in her ears. “A package deal?” The words as soft as a vapor in the wind.

Nick sat down next to her and scratched the puppy behind the ears. “You can’t always be here to feed him or walk him. I can help. You know, coordinate my schedule so I get home early when you’re working late or out volunteering.”

All teasing left her mind. She wanted—no, she needed—him to spell out exactly what he meant. He must have understood her need, because he reached down and tugged something from the dog’s glistening collar.

Looped through the ribbon was a ring. A ring with a huge emerald-cut diamond and baguettes running down the sides of the band. “This was my mother’s.” Nick cleared his throat and his voice dipped to a reverent tone. “My father gave it to me yesterday thinking I might have a better place to keep it than his wall safe.”

Katherine felt the burn of tears but blinked to hold them back. She didn’t want anything distorting her view of his beautiful blues eyes as his gaze rested on her in what she recognized now as the color of love.

Nick took her left hand and poised the ring at the tip of her third finger. “I think it would look really nice right here for the next sixty or seventy years.” He looked at her expectantly.

A single tear slid down her cheek, dislodged from the shimmering pool in her eyes when she nodded her head in agreement. He slipped the ring past her knuckle with ease before he bent his head and pressed a kiss over its new home.

“I love you. I’ve always loved you, Katherine Jenkins Harper. I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you if you say you’ll marry me.”

Wrapped in Nick’s embrace, her face pressed against his shoulder, her answer was muffled but distinct. “Yes.”

Drawing back, she gazed into his eyes, wanting to share the wealth of happiness bubbling up inside of her. “I love you, too. I think I always have.”

Placing the puppy back in his basket, Nick stood. Holding on to her hand, he pulled her up. He slid his fingers through her hair and lowered his mouth to hers. The touch of his lips was warm and tender. A sense of belonging settled over her as his arms encircled her, drawing her against his heart. She breathed in the joy of coming home.

* * * * *

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ISBN-13: 9781460339411

Campaigning for Love

Copyright © 2014 by Karen Fleming

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