Page 47 of The CEO

Stacy stood and walked Bree to the door.

Bree’s eyes widened. “I thought you had to use a wheelchair.”

The older woman chuckled. “Only when I have to be on my feet a lot or walk a lot. Around the house I usually do fine. It’s only when I go out that I need the wheelchair.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m glad you don’t have to be in it all the time.”

“So am I, my dear, so am I.”

“Well, goodbye. We’ll have to do this again soon.”

“I agree. I’ll give you a call in a couple of weeks.”

“That sounds great. Bye! Bye!” Bree gazed down at Lilly. “Can you wave bye to Miss Stacy, sweetheart? Bye. Say bye.”

“Bah,” said Lilly.

“She did it!” Bree was thrilled. That was her third word, behind mama and no. She’d gotten that one down really well and she knew what each of the words meant. Lilly wasn’t just parroting what was said. She understood.

Bree couldn’t wait to get home to tell Adam.

“Come to Mama,baby girl. Come on, you can do it.” Bree watched Lilly get up after falling and walk over. “That’s my girl.” She lifted Lilly high into the air and then turned in a circle while holding her.

Bree was still so happy she was allowed to pick up Lilly and hold her after weeks of not doing so, that she did it all the time.

Adam laughed from the doorway to the nursery. “I figured I’d find you here.” His smile faded and his mouth formed a flat line. “Bree, I’d like to talk to you. Can you put Lilly in her playpen for a moment, please?”

“Um, yeah, sure.” She carried Lilly to the playpen and set her in the middle of it. This one was sturdier than the one in the family room, which Lilly had managed to topple over twice now. Luckily for Bree, Lilly didn’t mind being in the playpen. She played with all her favorite toys at once, which she delighted in.

“Where would you like to talk?”

“The bedroom…my bedroom, if you please.”

Bree stiffened and nodded, heading out to his bedroom.What could he want to say in his bedroom that can’t be said in the nursery? It’s not like Lilly will understand what he’s saying.

There, he had several bouquets of roses spread throughout the room, with a single rose on the bed.

She looked around the room. “I don’t understand, Adam. What is all of this?” When she turned back to Adam, she saw he was on one knee.

“Bree Kincaid, would you do me the great honor of marrying me and becoming my wife, for real this time? I love you, Bree. I will never love anyone else. I won’t cheat or lie, and I’ll do my best not to die too early. Say you’ll marry me, Bree.”

CHAPTER 12

Bree stared down at Adam on his knee. He held another ring, this one a double anniversary band with all three of their birthstones interspersed with the two bands of diamonds.

“Bree?”

He looked so earnest, kneeling there with his heart in his eyes.

Her eyes teared and she reached over and cupped his beloved face. “Yes, Adam, I’ll?—”

Adam whooped, bounded up, and wrapped her in his arms.

His lips found hers, and this kiss was more than she could have hoped for. Every bit of longing was in his kiss. Every bit of love and commitment and celebration was in his kiss.

He broke the kiss. “I love you, Bree. I think I’ve loved you forever but was afraid to tell you. I’m not afraid anymore. I want to shout it to the world, write it across the sky, and take out a full-page ad in every newspaper, proclaiming my love for you.” He wrapped her tighter in his arms and lifted her, swinging her in a circle.

She laughed and held on for the ride. He slowed and put her down. She reached up and cupped his face between her palms.“Adam, I love you more than I thought possible. You’ve made all my dreams come true, giving me Lilly and now you. I couldn’t ask for more.”