Page 55 of The Tycoon

He took a deep breath and looked down.“I’m sorry but I do.It wouldn’t be smart of me to not have a prenup, even though I don’t believe for a minute that we actually need one.I?—”

She placed two fingers over his lips.“You might not like it, but it is the only thing that makes sense, and when you think about it, you’ll know I’m right.You don’t have to worry about it hurting my feelings.I’m not marrying you for your money.”

“I know that, and that’s why a prenup doesn’t seem necessary.But you’re right, as always.”

They walked through the back door into the kitchen and into the wonderful aroma of cooking chicken broth and heavenly, fluffy dumplings.

Regan’s mouth watered.She walked over to the kitchen sink and washed her hands before sitting at the table.

Cole did the same and sat next to her at the round table.

A large fresh green salad, dinner rolls and butter, plus a bowl of fresh green beans already sat on the table.

Mrs.Underhill set the full Dutch oven on a trivet in the middle of the table and then sat across from Cole.“Cole, you dish up your plate and then Regan will be next.We’ll work our way around the table.”

After everyone had filled their plates, silence stretched while everyone, filled their bellies.

Regan tried to savor the taste of the flavorful chicken broth, with bits of chicken in it, and the fluffy texture of the dumplings.It took effort to simply and slowly eat her meal.By the time she was finished with her second helping she was well and truly stuffed.

Afterward, Cole placed his napkin beside his plate.“Wonderful meal, as always, Mrs.Underhill.”

“Oh, yes.May I help you clear the table?”asked Regan.

The older woman smiled.“Oh, no, dear.You go on with Cole, and I’ll take care of this.”Then she looked at Cole.“We’re having steak and baked potatoes for dinner.You’re on grilling duty, Cole.”

He grinned.“Yes, ma’am.My pleasure.”He turned to Regan.“I make a mean steak.You can keep me company…if you’d like.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Come with me.I have something for you.”He took her hand and led her upstairs to his bedroom.“Don’t panic, as much as I would like to make love to you, that’s not why we are here.”He walked into a closet the size of a small bedroom and to a gun safe he kept in one corner of the room.After opening it, he pulled out a small velvet box.

He returned, got down on one knee, and looked up.“Regan, we might not have known each other for a long period of time, but I’ve never felt more at home, than I do with you.Will you marry me?”He opened the box, revealing a large diamond ring surrounded by sapphires.

Tears began rolling down her cheeks unbidden.“Yes.A thousand times, yes.”

Cole stood and placed the ring on her finger.

It was a little big and would have to be sized, but other than that, she vowed to herself to never take it off.

“It’s beautiful.”

“It was my great-grandmother’s.She received it from my uncle’s mother, so I guess that would make her also my great-great grandmother.Anyway, it’s an antique with a rich history behind it that I’ll tell you at another time.First, I want to tell Mason.He’ll be excited and surprised.”

“Yes, he will.I swore I’d never get involved with another man after Kip died, and I haven’t…until you.”

He gazed at her, his love for her shining in their deep blue depths.His mouth was slightly turned up at the corners.“I love you.I promise I will never betray you.”He captured her left hand and kissed the ring and then her palm.

“I love you, too.I will never betray you or hurt you.”

Cole took her in his arms and kissed her.The gentle kiss of a lover.The kind of kiss she would look forward to for the rest of her life.