CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Three months later…
Rowan rushed down the stairs from the apartment into her coffee shop. She skidded to a halt at the sight of a room full of people. Good grief! Coffee House closed fifteen minutes ago. Why were so many people still here?
Looking closer, she realized all her employees were there as well as many of Brent’s closest friends, several who were now good friends of hers. Remy and Lily Doucet sat with Claire and Zane Murphy. Eli Wolfe and his wife, Brenna, occupied a table with Jon and Dana Smith. Jake Davenport and Adam Walker stood at the coffee bar. Micah Winter sat at a table with Sophie, Nathan and Alexa. What was going on? All these people couldn’t have a sudden coffee craving.
“Sweetheart.”
She turned, surprised to hear Brent’s voice. “I thought you were out of town for another day.” Why had the occupants of the room fallen silent?
“I came home early. I had something important to do.”
That’s when she noticed Brent was dressed in a tuxedo. Oh, wow. He could easily grace the cover of a romance novel or a magazine dressed like that. “Why are you in a tux?” she whispered.
“I’m hoping to make a great impression.”
“On who?”
“You.”
“You already have, my love.”
Brent smiled. “I hope so, baby.” He held out his hand and led her to the center of the room.
Her heart almost stopped when he dropped to one knee. “Brent?” she whispered, afraid to hope.
“I love you, Rowan Scott. I love you more with every passing day. Being with you and Alexa fills me with more happiness than I’ve ever known in my life. You are my friend, my confidant, the center of my world.” He reached into his pocket and removed a small velvet-covered box.
Rowan’s breath caught as he opened the box and drew out a ring. The platinum ring and cluster of diamonds glittered in the overhead lights of Coffee House.
“I can’t think of a greater gift than to love you for as long as we live, to care for you through the good times and bad, to protect you, to love Alexa and any other children we’re blessed with.” He kissed the back of her hand, gaze locked on hers. “Will you marry me, Rowan?”
“I’d be honored to marry you, Brent.”
The room exploded in cheers, wolf whistles, and applause as Brent slid the ring on her finger.
Rowan knelt in front of him and kissed him with all the emotion boiling inside her. She so loved this man. When she eased back, Brent’s blue eyes flared with heat.
Another quick kiss from him and he turned to Alexa. “Come here, sugar.”
Lex hopped down from the chair and walked to stand in front of Brent. Again, the whole room went silent. “I love you, Alexa. You are the daughter of my heart. Nothing would make me happier than to be part of your family. Will you let me take care of you and Rowan, protect you, provide for you, love you as my own?”
She stood silent a moment. “Will Aunt Ro use your name?”
Rowan’s heart climbed into her throat. Would Alexa accept yet another change in her life?
“I’d like Rowan to use Maddox as her last name,” Brent murmured.
“What about me? My last name is Maxwell. I don’t want a different last name from yours.”
Brent cleared his throat. “You want to use the name Maddox, too?”
“Nathan has a mommy and daddy,” she pointed out. “I want one, too. I want you to be my daddy and Aunt Ro to be my second mommy.”
“If that’s what you want, I’ll make it happen,” he choked out. Brent reached into his other pocket and removed another velvet box. The ring he placed on Alexa’s finger was three golden entwined hearts. “Will you be my daughter, Alexa?”
Alexa nodded and threw her arms around his neck. “I love you. When are we getting married?”
Laughter erupted in the room along with wiping a few tears.
“As soon as Rowan’s ready, sugar. Can’t be soon enough for me.”
Alexa looked at Rowan. “When, Aunt Ro? I want to get married now.”
“Let’s plan for February 14.” Rowan kissed her grinning niece. “I can’t think of a more fitting time to start our lives as a family.”
And it would be a family filled with love and laughter. Alexa would never doubt Rowan and Brent loved her and that they loved each other. Rowan’s heart was bound to his now. She didn’t know what the future held in store for their small family. Whatever challenges came, they would face them together.
About the Author
Rebecca Deel is a preacher’s kid with a black belt in karate. She teaches business classes at a private four-year college outside Nashville, Tennessee. She plays the piano at church, writes freelance articles, and runs interference for the family dogs. She’s been married to her amazing husband for more than twenty-five years and is the proud mom of two grown sons. She delivers devotions to the women’s group at her church and conducts seminars in personal safety, money management, and writing. Her articles have been published in ONE Magazine, Contact, and Co-Laborer, and she was profiled in the June 2010 Williamson edition of Nashville Christian Family magazine. Rebecca completed her Doctor of Arts degree in Economics and wears her favorite Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt when life turns ugly.
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