Page 113 of Words of Love
Oh, yes.She hadn’t just landed on the outright love runway. She was getting off the plane, collecting her luggage, and heading straight home. She was totally, irrevocablythere.
“I know…” He paused and swallowed. “I know I might’ve lost my chance, but I need to tell you this. You showed me that not only is love not a lie, it’s the greatest truth in the universe. You showed me that having roots can make you stronger and that it’s okay to let people in. You proved that life is so much better together than alone.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Those are some beautiful words, Sam Donovan.”
“Yeah, well.” A slight flush crested his cheekbones. “I practiced.”
She smiled as a pure, radiant joy illuminated her entire being. “I love you, Sam. So very much.”
A flurry of “Yays!” rose from the crowd. Sam grinned, his eyes lighting with happiness.
“You make clouds spin in my soul.” He held out his arms to her. “When I’m with you, the earth moves and stars whirl. Everything inside melights up.”
“Ifeel…” With a laugh, Brooke leaped toward him, “exactly the same way.”
He caught her up against him and lowered his head for a hard, passionate kiss that had the crowd breaking into applause.
When they finally parted, he glanced up with an abashed grin and a nod of acknowledgment. “Thanks, folks. I appreciate the help more than I can say.”
The townspeople laughed and waved.
“Treat her right, or we’re coming after you,” Mr. Hammersmith called, as the crowd began dispersing toward other activities.
“I can’t believe it.” Brooke rested her hand on his chest. “When did you arrange all this?”
“Not long after I heard you’d be back for the Book Fair.” He pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, his gaze warm and tender. “I figured it’d be a good setting for my BRG. I asked Charlie for help with the paper, and he recruited Tommy. Then I talked to the coordinator of the play, and we figured out the timing. Everyone was in on it. Callie was in charge of making sure you’d be near the stage when the play was over.”
“Very good casting.”
“I thought so.” He brushed his knuckles against her cheek, as if he couldn’t stop touching her. A crease appeared between his eyebrows. “By the way, you look tired.”
“Red-eye flight. I just got in this morning.”
“Hmm.” He rested his hand on the side of her neck. “When we’re alone again, I’ll have to come over with some Indian food, a bottle of wine, and promises of a shoulder rub that will turn into a full-body massage.”
Brooke laughed. “I can’t wait. Did I happen to mention you got an A+ in Romance 101?”
“I was hoping for that.” He stroked his thumb against the hollow of her throat, his expression sobering a bit. “I don’t know if I can ever be the hero you want, Brooke. I like being alone, and I’m not one for talking a lot. I don’t know the first thing about antiques or—”
She pulled him down for a kiss to stop his words. “You’re themanI want, Sam. Fiction and books are all fine and good, but when it comes tolife, I want you. I want us.”
He smiled his heartbreakingly beautiful smile. “I want us, too.”
“Oh.” She pulled back, a touch of unease diluting her pleasure. “But you said you were planning to leave town.”
“I am.” He took hold of her hips and pulled her lower body against his. “I’m coming to New York with you. If you’ll have me,” he added quickly.
“Coming to…” Her voice trailed off as the truth struck her. “Oh, Sam.”
“What?” His forehead furrowed. “I can live anywhere, write anywhere. And since you’re going to live there, it makes sense for me to go with you.”
“But you don’t want to go back to New York.”
“I’ll go anywhere with you.”
The romantic expansiveness of his words filled her heart. “I’ll go anywhere with you, too, but I’d also love to stay right here.”
He frowned, a puzzled look crossing his face.