night you were ready to label me a gold digger, and today you claim to care for me. I don’t trust you, Dayton.” She turns and walks over to grab her handkerchief, hoping he will leave.

“I made a mistake. I’m sorry I hurt you, but can you cast me aside so easily? Do you demand only perfection?”

She sniffs and wipes her eyes with her handkerchief. “Of course not, Dayton. This can’t work. It’ll be nothing but hurt. Don’t you see?”

“No, I don’t!” He growls and moves closer to her.

“We have other lives,” she turns away unable to bear the hurt in his eyes.

Dayton draws in a deep breath, time to fight for her, he tells himself.

“Can you tell me how Oliver earned your loyalty after only two weeks?” His hurt colors his words, and she turns to look at him. “Explain it to me, Savannah!” He shoves the ring box back in his pocket. “Help me understand why you’d give your heart to a dying one, but not a living one?”

“Please, stop, Dayton. It’s for the best,” she starts to weep.

“No, it isn’t.” Dayton grabs her hand and holds it over his heart. “Feel it! It beats stronger when you’re near. If you’d let it, it would be only for you!”

Savannah pulls away, sobbing once again and his anger grows. “So, the woman who claims to never back down runs like the little mouse when it’s time to live.”

“Dayton, that’s enough!” she shoves at him forcing him to release her.

“You’re right, it is. You gave your word to a dying man because it was safe.”

Savannah stares at him and knows he’s right. Dayton turns to go, and panic fills her heart.

“Dayton,” she calls to him, stopping him before he leaves. “Never, once when I walked amongst the dead and dying was I afraid.” She moves closer to him. “But when I look into your eyes, I’m terrified.”

“Why?” he gentles his touch and pulls her closer to him.

“You have my heart, Dayton. I won’t survive if something happens to you,” she cups his face.

“I won’t carry that burden, Savannah. You’re stronger than that.” She shoves away from him in anger.

“Now who is demanding perfection? I’m human, Dayton! I’ll never be perfect. I don’t know how. I can’t live up to that,” she cries.

“I don’t demand perfection, Savannah.” He grabs her gently by her upper arms again. “I see you. With your impulsiveness, your inability to stay in one place, how drama follows you…” Savannah laughs and covers his mouth and hope flares in his heart.

“That’s enough of that,” she declares. He pulls her hands from his mouth.

“I also see your beauty, Savannah. I see you riding across a field, set fire by the setting Sun and I wonder if the Sun is jealous of the way you shine.”

“Dayton,” she whispers.

“There is no fear in love, Savannah. If you love me, you will take a chance with me. I will never give up on us.” Dayton kisses her softly, tasting the saltiness of her tears and when she shutters in his arms, hope flares.

“Let’s try this again,” Dayton sets her back away from him, and lowers to one knee. This time when he pulls out the blue velvet ring box, she lights up with a smile. He opens it revealing an oval ruby center stone set in a platinum floral filigree. Savannah gasps and covers her mouth.

“Savannah Ward, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Dayton asks.

“Yes,” she cries as he slips the ring on her finger and kisses her softly.

“Is that a promise, Miss Ward?” he demands.

“I promise, that I will love you, Dayton Patrick, for now, and for all time and I will become your wife,” she says with a clear, strong voice full of love for him.

“Finally!” He swoops her up into his arms. “Tomorrow?” he asks.

“What?” she pushes back and looks at him, “Are you serious?”

“I am.”

The night is spent planning a wedding and speaking of the future. As soon as he can convince her, Savannah goes to bed to sleep to heal, and Dayton goes to share the good news with Maxwell and Belinda.

“Tomorrow!” Belinda shouts. “The courthouse? No, she deserves more than that!”

Max laughs, “Let us help you. Belinda, my love, do you remember the little church on the point overlooking the lake?”

Her eyes grow wide, “It’s perfect! I will go first thing in the morning, but you will have to wait until tomorrow night to be wed.” Belinda stomps away shouting to two of the serving girls. “We can use flowers from the ball…”

“You’re a lucky man Maxwell Fields,” Dayton says with a smile.

“Yes, I am.

Chapter 44

“Wake up, Cherie, we have much to do today!” Belinda throws open the drapes and claps her hands.

Savannah jumps and sits up blocking the sun from her eyes. “What’s wrong?” she shouts.

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s your wedding day!” Belinda rushes to her side and laughs when Savannah flops back down on the pillow.

“You scared ten years off my life!” she grumbles.

“Get up!” she tugs on her hands. “Louis will be here soon and so will your breakfast!”

“Louis?” Savannah sits up suddenly awake. “Why is he coming here?”

“Dayton demanded the best for you, and that’s my Louis, of course,” Belinda smiles when a knock sounds. “They are here. I will set up your breakfast try in the living area.”

“I don’t understand, Belinda. We are just going to the courthouse, I thought,” Savannah murmurs.

“No. You will want to remember this day, and if you trust us, we will make it a beautiful memory for both of you!”

Savannah tears up, “How did we get so lucky to find such amazing friends?”

“I don’t know, but I’m thankful to

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