Earning Yancy (30 page)

The food was incredible. The best I’d ever tasted. Lena and I told Charles about our shopping trip and we talked about what we should do tomorrow. Finally, I had eaten my fill and I pushed my plate away.

“That was delicious, Charles. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you, Charl,” Carolena parroted.

He smiled. “It was my pleasure, but dinner’s not over yet. We haven’t had dessert.” Standing up, he carried our empty plates into the kitchen and came back with a small cupcake stand and dome. I’d bought the set a few months ago as a decoration.

Confused, I watched as he placed the stand in front of me and carefully lifted the fragile glass dome. Instead of the decadent dessert I expected, there was a perfect red rose under the glass. Something glittered in the center of the flower and I used the tip of my finger to gently brush the petals away. I lifted the object and saw it was a ring. A diamond ring.

“Charles?” I looked over at him, unsure if I completely understood what was happening. Maybe I was in the throes of severe food poisoning and hallucinating. Or I was dreaming the best dream ever.

Charles was on one knee between my chair and Carolena’s. He took my left hand in his and plucked the ring from my nerveless fingers.

“Yancy, Carolena,” he said, looking at both of us. “I love you both and I want to build a family with you. You’re everything I ever wanted or needed. Will you marry me?”

His simple statements took my breath away. Carolena appeared confused and lifted her eyes to me. I smiled at her and asked, “What do you think, Carolena? Do you want Charles to live here with us?”

She grinned then. “Yes!”

I looked back down at Charles. “My answer is the same as hers. Yes.”

He pulled me down and kissed me hard enough to leave me dizzy. When he released me, he placed the ring on my finger and said, “There’s just one more thing.”

“What?”

“When we’re married, I want to adopt Carolena. She needs a father and I want it to be me.”

Tears filled my eyes. Earlier, I’d wished that, someday, Charles would want everything he was offering me. It seemed that my wishes were going to be granted more quickly than I hoped.

I lifted my wet eyes to my daughter and asked, “Do you want Charles to be your daddy?” I knew she was too little to truly decide, but it was obvious that Charles intended for her to be included in this.

She blinked slowly, looking at me, then Charles. “Daddy?”

Charles smiled and I swore I saw the sheen of tears in his eyes as well. “Yes.”

My daughter smiled and leaned over to kiss Charles on his cheek. “My daddy.”

Unable to contain myself any longer, I hiccupped and let the tears escape. She probably had no idea what she was saying, only repeating what she heard, but it was still beautiful. I managed to get myself together before I scared Carolena, but barely. Once I was calmer, Charles went for our real dessert, which was my favorite, crème brulee. We finished our meal and I helped Charles carry the dishes into the kitchen, which was almost spotless.

“How did you make all this and have time to clean the kitchen?” I asked.

His cheeks reddened slightly and I gaped at him. He was blushing. Clearing his throat, he said, “Mom and Sherri came over and helped me prep and wash up. I cooked everything, but washing dishes after a marriage proposal kinda kills the romance, so they were my sous chef and dishwasher.”

“They knew?”

He nodded. “Your parents knew too.”

“What?”

He grinned at my shocked expression. “I went to see your dad and ask his permission. I know it seems antiquated, but Mom would have killed me if I hadn’t. She’s very traditional that way.”

I laughed in disbelief. “How is it that I didn’t know about this? My mom can’t hide things from my sisters and my sisters can’t keep a secret to save their lives.”

Charles smirked. “I told them I would convince you to elope in Vegas if they told you beforehand.”

I laughed. “You sneaky rat.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise. I know we haven’t talked much about marriage, but we’re practically living together already and I love it. I want to make it official so I can run off any of the men who think they have a shot with you.”

I walked to him and kissed him. “What men?” When he smiled, I said, “I look forward to being married to you.”

We made out in the kitchen for about five minutes before Carolena came tearing through, yelling about watching a movie. We both laughed and Charles insisted I go start the movie while he washed the last few dishes and then he would join us.

A few hours later, after Carolena was bathed and I had just put her to bed, Charles scooped me up as I exited her room. I giggled as he carried me into our bedroom and threw me on the bed. As he crawled up my body, I lifted my left hand to cup his cheek and the glint of the diamond on my finger caught my eye.

As the events of the day sank in, I found tears filling my eyes again. Charles lifted his head and smoothed my tangled hair away from my face.

“What’s wrong, gorgeous?”

I shook my head and sniffed. “Absolutely nothing. I just can’t believe that all my dreams came true.”

Charles lowered his forehead to mine. “So did mine.”

Just as we began our day with love, we ended it the same way.

The End

Thank you so much, Donna, for everything you do. From keeping track of my schedule, telling what I need to hear, and talking me down from the ledge on a regular basis, you have kept me sane this year. Well, slightly less insane. I really would be lost without you. Expect me to show up on your doorstep when you get settled in your new house.

Tania, you did a fabulous job editing this book for me, even on your vacation. I promise I won’t be as late with the next book. You believe me, right?

To some of the best beta readers; Nikki, Amber, and Stephanie. Thank you for reading my books and sharing your thoughts.

I also have to tell my girls in C.C.’s Sinners how much I love them! Thank you, ladies, for responding to my crazy posts and tolerating all the baby pictures I inflict upon you. You do a great job helping me get the word out about my books too!

Lastly, I deeply appreciate all the blogs and readers that have read and reviewed my books. It makes me incredibly happy to know that people enjoy the stories in my head as much as I do. I’m grateful to you all!

A native Texan, C.C. grew up either reading or playing the piano. Years later, she’s still not grown up and doing the same things. Since the voices in her head never shut up, C.C. decided to try and profit from their crazy stories and started writing books.

Now that she has a baby girl at home, C.C.’s non-writing time is usually spent cleaning up poopy diapers or feeding the poop machine. Sometimes she teaches piano, cooks, or spends time bugging her hubby and two beagles.

C.C. loves to hear from her readers!

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/authorccwood

Twitter:
@cc_wood

Website:
www.ccwood.net

Girl Next Door Series:

Friends with Benefits

Frenemies

Drive Me Crazy

Girl Next Door-The Complete Series

Kiss Series:

A Kiss for Christmas

Kiss Me

Seasons of Sorrow

NSFW Series:

In Love With Lucy

Earning Yancy

Bitten Series

Bite Me

Once Bitten, Twice Shy