“I know. Mommy called her.”
He looked up, not believing Abigail had pulled this off without him knowing. Especially since it was his car and driver that had brought her here. She must have paid for her flight, because his jet hadn’t been used.
“Come in, please.” He let go of them and stepped back as they came in.
His family was finally home. He couldn’t be happier. Hailey excused herself to use the restroom. As soon as she was out of sight, he reached forward and pulled Abigail to him. Without any hesitation, he claimed her lips with hunger. She opened to him right away and his tongue slipped in, tasting mint.
Abigail’s arms wrapped around him, bringing herself close. She kissed him with such tenderness and yet it went straight though him, until the excitement settled between his thighs. He hoped she would share his bed tonight and every night from now on. He hadn’t washed her pillow since she left, preferring to shroud himself in her scent each night.
The kiss ended and she stepped back. “I missed you. I couldn’t stay away any longer.”
“I’m glad. You have no idea how close I’ve been to getting on my plane and coming out there. But I knew you needed time.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you for giving me that. But I no longer want time or to take things slow.”
“Good, because if you leave here again, I’ll hunt you down and go all caveman, dragging you back here by your hair.”
She giggled. “I could think of a more enjoyable way for you to pull my hair.”
Josh groaned. “You just wait until tonight.”
“Believe me, I can’t wait.”
* * * *
The next day Hailey begged to have another picnic in the flower garden. Abigail agreed since it was a beautiful day. Her daughter had also requested Josh make BLTs again and this time she’d try the tomato.
In the kitchen, Abigail saw Josh filling the basket. “Need any help?” she asked.
He looked up. “Nope, I got it.”
Abigail stepped up to him to plant a kiss on his cheek that still held his morning stubble. “Any surprises in there today?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
Abigail smiled and traced her fingers down his face, staring into his eyes. “I love you.”
Josh set the knife down he’d been using for the mayonnaise and pulled her to him. “I love you too. Now go get Hailey. As much as I want to eat you instead for lunch, we have a daughter waiting on us.”
Ten minutes later they were all seated in the garden again. Only this time they all seemed happier. Hailey now knew Josh was her father and Abigail was finally feeling like things were going to work out the way they were supposed to. She had a man she loved and he loved her in return.
“I could never tire of lunches out here.” Abigail took a sip of her water.
“It’s lovely out here. I need to make the time to enjoy this garden more,” Josh agreed.
“With Hailey here now, I think you will.”
He grinned. “Things feel complete,” he paused, “well, almost.”
Abigail watched as he pulled a black velvet box from his blazer. She giggled, knowing what was in it this time.
Josh looked at Hailey and said, “I hope this goes better this time.”
Hailey directed her gaze toward her mother. “I hope so too.”
Josh got on one knee and opened the box. “I love you more that words can express. I don’t ever want to be without you again. These past few weeks have been torture, that if I have to live my life without you, then I’d rather it be over. You complete me.” He looked at Hailey and then back at Abigail. “You and Hailey. Please do me the honor of saying yes and being my wife.”
Not only was this what she wanted, but she was certain this was where she and Hailey belonged. They would all finally be a family. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, Josh.”
Josh removed the ring from the box and slid it on her finger. After he let go of her hand, she admired the diamond and glanced back at him.
“Kiss him, Mommy!”
Abigail did just that. She pulled Josh to her and kissed him, keeping it as conservative as possible with Hailey watching. The kiss ended and Abigail cupped her hands and wondered how she’d gotten so lucky.
Josh pulled another box from his blazer. This one was a little bigger. “I have something for you too, Hailey.” He opened it, revealing a silver heart necklace. “Do you like it?”
“Yes!” Hailey screeched.
“Is that real?” Abigail asked.
Josh laughed. “Of course.”
“Oh my God, be careful with that, Hailey, do you hear me?” She looked back at Josh. “Have you ever been around a four-year-old? That’s likely to end up in Play-Doh.”