Intent (22 page)

While the ladies continue chatting about the events of yesterday and last night, I step out on the back deck to call Tommy myself. One of the benefits of being from such a small town is everyone knows almost everyone else—by marriage, from school, or in passing.

“Hey, Tommy. It’s Ace. How’ve you been?”

“Ace, good to hear from you. I’m just fine. What can I do for you?”

“I’m calling to find out about Zoe’s car. I understand you had to tow it last night. What was wrong with it?”

“It was the damnedest thing,” he drawls. “Poor thing had to wait for me for a long time because Roger drove his tractor drunk again and got it stuck way back in his field. By the time I got back to town, it was long after dark. I checked all the things that would normally go wrong, but I didn’t figure out what was wrong until I got it back to my house.”

“Why? What was it doing?”

“All the lights and stuff inside came on, but it wouldn’t turn over at all. No clicking. No engaging of any kind. Battery tested fine. I knew it had to be the starter,” he explains.

“My thoughts exactly. What’d you find when you got home?”

“It was the starter all right. Someone cut the hot wire to it so it wasn’t getting any juice at all. Luckily, I got a new wiring harness first thing this morning and it fired right up for her. Why the curiosity?”

“She may not have had a chance to tell you last night, but my girlfriend Layne and I are adopting her baby. Zoe’s living with Layne right now, and we were worried about her when she didn’t come home last night.”

“Aww, man, I’m sorry about that. If I’d known, I would’ve called you. Ava really enjoyed spending time with her, though.”

My chat with Tommy lasts a few more minutes before we disconnect and I rejoin my ladies. They’ve moved on to other topics, but I’m still stuck on my last one. Tommy said the problem with Zoe’s car was a cut starter wire. That can only mean one thing—it was intentional. That wire doesn’t get cut by accident. It was also no accident that Zoe was prevented from going home just in time to avoid the fire.

L
ayne

T
he construction crews
have been busy repairing the damage to Marcia’s cabin over the past week while another crew has been busy painting and turning the spare room into a nursery. The furniture will be delivered today and the adoption home study will be finalized tomorrow. Ace and I went earlier this week to have his name added to the adoption paperwork. Zoe, Ace, and I also attended the classes to help prepare us for the adoption process, and we have our certificates of completion to show the social worker when she arrives. With each milestone we complete, my excitement increases exponentially.

Staring at the empty nursery, I visualize where each piece of furniture will fit and still allow room for the rocker-glider chair. The mural of the mountains surrounding us painted on the accent wall is a special gift to Ace. Set against a pale yellow, the vibrant colors of the landscape appear three-dimensional. I can’t wait for him to get home today and see it. I’ve kept him out of this room until my masterpiece is complete. He grudgingly agreed, but only because he knows it’s important to me.

It’s scary how hard I fell for him, how fast my life has changed, and how much I love every minute of it. The giddiness threatens to bubble up out of me in the form of uncontrollable laughter just before the doorbell rings. When I swing the front door open wide, I’m thrilled to see three husky young men and a large furniture truck. Working together, they set the furniture in place within a matter of minutes. Now I really can’t wait for him to get home.

River’s bedroom was undoubtedly decorated by a man—well-intentioned, but largely utilitarian in design. Thankfully, the current furniture and layout work for Zoe to sleep comfortably until the repairs on the cabin are finished. Zoe hinted that she should probably get a hotel room so she wouldn’t intrude at Ace’s house, but there was no way I could let her do that. She’s stolen my heart much like River has, and we’re her family now since her parents don’t want her.

Passing by River’s room, an idea pops into my head and I can see it as plain as day. While River definitely isn’t a princess-themed little girl, she would love a room that better reflects her personality. After wasting enough time on my favorite inspiration website, I have more than enough potential ideas to decorate every room in this town.

Before I order everything without even talking to Ace first, I get busy in the kitchen making a special dinner for the two of us. Zoe is closing at the grocery store tonight, so Ace and I have the house all to ourselves. Hopefully, no drama or catastrophes will crop up to distract us. Like clockwork, everything except dessert is ready and waiting on the table just before Ace walks in.

“Something smells good,” he calls out as he walks through the house. “I could get used to being spoiled like this every day.”

“Oh, yeah? What would I get in return?” I challenge.

His muscular arms wrap around me and pull me into his chest. He leans down and murmurs against my lips. “Multiple orgasms every night.”

“Deal,” I quickly agree.

He smiles, his lips still a breath away from mine. “I thought you were a lawyer. You’re a terrible negotiator. Never take the first offer, it’s always the lowball one.”

“You distracted me. Knocked me off my game. Let’s try again.”

“What else do you want?”

“I want…to always get my way. On top of the multiple orgasms every night.”

“Deal, as long as I get to keep you forever.”

Before I can reply, his lips are on mine and I completely lose my ability to think of anything else.
Yes, you can definitely keep me forever.

“I’m starving. Let me refuel my engines then I’ll gladly keep up my end of the deal.”

Ace takes a quick shower while I finish making the dessert. When he rejoins me at the table, I show him all my ideas for River’s room over our dinner. He loves my ideas for building a bunk bed fort in her bedroom. It has stairs that lead to a bed on top and a secret playroom underneath. I laugh until I cry at his plans for making our own secret playroom in our bedroom and how we’ll explain it to others. Our conversations come so easy, so natural. In him, I have a best friend and the best lover in the world all wrapped up in one.

After we finish eating, he leads me to the bedroom and makes good on his earlier promise. His lips on my skin, the warmth of his tongue, and the feel of his muscular body as he slides into mine make up my heaven on earth. Repeatedly, we climb to heights only he can take me to before only temporarily allowing me to come back down again. I don’t know how much more my body can take, but dying while feeling this good can’t be all bad.

Afterward, we’re lying in bed, facing each other, and he’s lovingly caressing me with his fingertips. “Marry me.”

I’m not convinced that I’m not hearing things. “What?” I ask softly. “What did you say?”

“I know it’s not the conventional way to propose. But we haven’t exactly had a conventional relationship either. The day you walked into my life, I knew there was something special about you. Every day that we’ve spent together, I’ve fallen more in love with you. Every minute that we’re apart, you’re on my mind. We’re raising River together and we’re about to adopt a newborn. Marry me.”

His eyes move back and forth while he gauges my reaction. There’s no fear or questions in his, only confidence and patience.

“I’d love to marry you.”

“Tomorrow?”

“I may need a little more notice than tomorrow. Besides, doesn’t it take a few days to get a marriage license?”

“Not in Georgia. And I’m not waiting past the weekend.” His smile is playful but his tone is resolute.

“Do you really want to get married that soon? Or are you messing with me?”

“I would get up early and marry you tomorrow morning. It’s not like we have a lot of family who would be upset if they weren’t invited,” he reasons.

“Your sister and your daughter may have something to say about that,” I remind him.

“They’d just be happy it actually happened.” His kiss distracts me, as it’s meant to. “So what do you say?”

I release a long, happy, satisfied sigh. “Yes.”

“Yeah?” He sounds so excited.

“Yes, I’d love to marry you early tomorrow morning.”

“We’ll get the marriage license as soon as the courthouse opens. Then we’ll go to the Oak Grove wedding chapel where I’ll make you mine forever.”

“Did you forget something?”

His brows scrunch together and he looks charmingly confused. “Nope. That’s the entire plan.”

“You’ll be mine forever, too.”

“Baby, I’m yours forever whether you marry me or not.”

“You’re so good to me.”

“You’re my barn owl.”

He says it so seriously that I can’t help but laugh out loud at the visual. “I’m your what?”

His smile spreads across his handsome face, lighting his eyes with mischief and an obvious glint that says he knows something I don’t. “I said, you are my barn owl. They pick one partner and are completely monogamous until they die. You’re mine.”

“I never knew owls were so romantic. I’m thrilled to be your barn owl. You are definitely mine, too.”

W
aking
to soft kisses down my spine has to be one of the best feelings in the world. “Mmm…I love that.”

“Time to wake up, my love. I have big plans for you today,” Ace murmurs from behind me.

“Isn’t it supposed to be bad luck for us to see each other before the wedding?”

“It’d be bad luck if I had to wake up without you. Other than that, I’m not superstitious.”

“I think you just make up your own rules as you go along.”

“My secret is out,” he chuckles. “Now get your fine ass up and get ready. You’re changing your last name today.”

“What if I want to live in this century and keep my current last name?” I’m totally kidding, but I’m curious to see what his reaction will be.

“If you feel strongly about it, I’d live with it. But I’d honestly rather you take my name so the world knows you’re mine. My mom kept her maiden name during a time when it was virtually unheard of for a woman to do. As a kid, I always hated explaining why my parents didn’t have the same last name. I think Mom regretted her decision after Dad died. She’s the one who told us about the barn owls and how my dad was hers.”

I turn over to face him, to look in his eyes when I reply. “I feel strongly about my last name—” I pause for half of a heartbeat “—becoming yours.”

His hand cups my cheek and his love for me shines in his eyes. “I’m so glad you said that. You make me feel invincible. Now go, before I ravage your body before we even leave the house. I’d planned to save that until after the ceremony.”

When we both finally emerge from the bedroom, we join Zoe at the kitchen table. She’s having breakfast while Ace pours two cups of coffee for us. Her eyes drift over my outfit before turning around to get a better look at Ace’s.

We’re clearly not dressed for a day around the house. I’m wearing a white, mid-thigh summer dress. With a halter-style top that secures around my neck, an open back, and a flowing skirt, it’s perfect for a summer wedding. Ace has a white ribbed tank top under a navy blue blazer and a pair of jeans. The look is classic, casual Ace with a palpable air of raw sex appeal.

“Where are you two going?” Zoe asks.

“We’re getting married this morning,” Ace replies nonchalantly.

“What?” Zoe nearly chokes on her food. “You’re getting married? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just convinced her to marry me last night,” Ace replies. “So we’re going to do it this morning before she changes her mind.”

“Don’t listen to him, Zoe. I’m not changing my mind.” I playfully swat his arm.

“You two are so cute together. It’s like you were made just for each other,” Zoe replies wistfully.

“We’re barn owls,” Ace answers without elaborating. “Let’s go, woman. Your caveman has spoken.”

The word “caveman” holds a new meaning to me now, and I consciously have to push that memory out of my mind. My heated cheeks must give me away because Ace smirks knowingly at me. With a quick kiss to Zoe’s cheek, I tell her that we’ll be back in time to meet with the social worker for the home study.

Ace laces his fingers with mine and pulls me toward the door. Once we’re outside, he slips on his sunglasses and the sex-appeal factor promptly goes off the charts. “I need a picture.” He releases my hand and looks at me quizzically. Using my phone, I snap a few pictures of him to memorialize this cleaned-up version of Ace Sharp.

Happy doesn’t begin to describe how I feel this morning. Ecstatic. Delighted. Overjoyed. Thrilled. We arrive at the courthouse just as the doors are opened to the public, and we’re the only ones in line to get a marriage license. Within a few minutes, we’re finished at the courthouse and on our way to the chapel. We have our fingers crossed that they’re not booked or closed today.

The wedding chapel is several miles outside of town, hidden in the mountains on a back country road. When we reach it, an older lady is sweeping the front porch of the chapel, obviously getting ready for the day ahead of her. There’s a larger house sitting off to the side with its own driveway. I assume that’s where the owners live. Turning my gaze back to her, something in her mannerisms is familiar. When I take a closer look, I realize she is none other than Martha, the Realtor who met me when I first arrived in Oak Grove.

“Ace! So good to see you, my boy!” Martha hugs him and kisses him affectionately on the cheek. “What brings you way out here?”

“Layne and I want to get married this morning. Is Ralph available to officiate?”

Martha is stunned silent for a moment. “You two are getting married today? That’s wonderful! You know Ralph, he’s still nibbling on his breakfast. Come on in and pick out the package you want while I get him. I need to get the video camera out of the house, too. Do you have the marriage license?”

Ace hands over the license and Martha rushes excitedly to her home to get Ralph while Ace and I walk into the chapel. The inside is immaculately decorated and I’m instantly pleased with Ace’s wedding location choice. I pick up the book that lists all the available packages and start thumbing through the pages.

“Before you pick one of the indoor packages, let me show you the outdoor options,” Ace says with a sly smile.

“Okay, show me.” I follow him through the French patio doors in the rear of the chapel and out onto a beautiful expanse of thick, green grass. Covering the entire backyard, the lush carpet of grass is perfect for a barefoot wedding. The huge barn at the end of the yard makes the perfect backdrop with its contrasting dark wood, the green grass, and the multitude of blooming rose bushes. A tall tree with long, shady limbs stands proudly to the side of the barn.

“So you found the oasis,” Martha says from behind us. “I love it out here. We cleared the trees off from that little nook so we can get amazing shots of the mountain range, the valley, and the sky.”

“You have a beautiful place here. I love it,” I reply.

Martha wraps her arm around my shoulder. “You are welcome to come out here anytime. Since you’re about to marry Ace, I assume you’re staying in town for a while longer.”

Laughing, I reply, “Yes, a little while anyway.”

“Yeah, like forever,” Ace chimes in. “You think I’m ever letting her leave? No way.”

“You’re both sure you want to do this today? You don’t want to wait and invite a few people to be here with you?” Martha asks hopefully.

“Today’s the day,” Ace replies. “No time like the present, right?”

“Here comes Ralph now.” Martha looks over our shoulders at her approaching husband. Judging by the admiration in her eyes, it’s obvious she still loves him as much today as when they were first married.

Ralph hugs Ace in a manly embrace and says hello. “This isn’t the same girl you brought by here yesterday. Are you trying to pull my leg?”

The teasing glint in Ralph’s eye looks familiar, a lot like the one Ace uses on me. With these two together, I don’t stand a chance.

Ace shushes him with a conspiratorial sideways glance. “Ralph, you’re not supposed to tell her.”