Page 72 of The Maverick's Homecoming
“What in the…?” She let the question die unfinished as he dropped to one knee in front of her.
That was when she saw that he held a black velvet box in his hand. Carefully, he lifted the lid and took out the most perfect ring she’d ever seen—antique gold with a beautiful, glittering round diamond rimmed in gold. A ring that seemed made just for her, the kind she could wear without fear it would get in the way while she took care of a patient.
Her heart pounded so hard she couldn’t hear herself think. “Finn, I—”
“Marry me, Kenzie. Give me one more chance to be the man that you deserve. Let me take care of you and the baby. Let me be there for you.Withyou. For the rest of our lives. I know I messed up bad all those years ago, but I—”
“No.”
He blinked. “What?”
“I, uh… Well, Finn, first of all, that’s not true.”
He looked so bewildered. “What’s not true?”
“You didn’t do anything bad all those years ago. We were so young. You didn’t mess up. You were there for me, you stuck right by me until—”
“Don’t try to sugarcoat it. I did mess up. You were everything to me and I left you, anyway.” He held her gaze. “And I’ve always regretted that. Always wished I’d been a better man, a stronger man—and Kenzie, Iwillbe better now, stronger now. I swear to you, I won’t walk away, not ever again. I will always be right here beside you. I will be here for you and for the baby, if only you’ll say yes.” He took her hand then and he said, “Marry me, Kenzie. Be my wife.”
She stared down at him, as her heart cried,Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Finn. Just name the day!
The truth was suddenly crystal clear to her. She could see it there, in his eyes. Feel it in her own tender heart.
She loved him, still, after all these years. And he loved her, too.
But their love wasn’t what mattered. No.
Her baby was what mattered.
A child needed stability, needed a parent or parents she could count on. Looking at Finn now, knowing the strong, determined man he’d grown up to be…
She believed him. She trusted him to keep his word, to stay with her, never to walk away.
Yes, he’d left her before. But she honestly didn’t blame him for leaving back then. He’d needed to go. And she’d needed more care and understanding than he could give her back then.
Now, though…
If she believed him now, married him, built a life with him, gave her trust again completely, loved him with all her heart and then someday, as Tate had, he realized he wanted a fresh start and left her and her little girl behind…
No. She couldn’t take that chance. Not now. Not with her baby’s tender heart to consider.
Gently, she pulled her hand free of his hold. “I can’t, Finn. I’m sorry. I meant what I said. I’m not getting married again.”
He closed his eyes, drew a slow, shaky breath. “Just…think it over, won’t you? Just give yourself time to—”
“No. Please believe me when I tell you my mind is made up and my choice won’t change.”
There was an awful, empty silence. Finally, he asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I won’t marry you, Finn. And I won’t change my mind about that.”
“Aw, Kenz…” He looked so sad, so…sorry, somehow. “You can’t let yourself trust me, can you?”
She looked down at her tightly folded hands. “I’m so sorry. But you’re right. I just can’t.”
There was a silence, several awful seconds of emptiness.
Finally, he spoke. “Fair enough.” He returned that perfect ring to its little velvet box, swept to his feet and headed for the door.
