Forgiving Patience (40 page)

“What are you up to?”

“This.” Jake dug into his jeans’
pocket and pulled out a small black box. “I know it’s correct protocol to get
down on one knee, but it’s a tight fit in these seats.” He placed the box in her
hand and waited for her to respond.

Her eyes kept darting back and forth
between the box and Jake. “You bought me a ring?”

“That’s usually what men do when they
want a woman to marry them.”

They had been so consumed with
finishing up the remodel on her house and their nightly lovemaking that even
though she’d already agreed to marry him, a ring hadn’t been thought of—at
least not on her part. It looked like Jake had had this planned out for some
time. And then she wondered if his bringing her there was so he could propose
again, but this time with a ring.

She opened the tiny box and looked at
the princess-cut diamond ring. “Oh, Jake, it’s beautiful.”

“So that’s a yes? You like it?”

They were simple words, but didn’t
take away from the impact they had on her heart. This man wanted to marry her.
Build a life with her. How had she become so lucky to find Jake again, and have
him still love her after all their years apart?

“Yes, of course I’ll marry you. And
the ring is perfect. I’ll never take it off.”

The people around them clapped, and
at any other time, she would have been embarrassed by the attention, but not
now. Right now she was too happy to be concerned with such little things.

Anna spent the next three hours happy
as could be. She was in the process of closing the arrangements on the house
next to Garrett’s office and couldn’t have been more thrilled at the thought
that in the next few months, she and Jake together would be remodeling the
house to make it a better fit for a coffee shop downstairs and a small
bookstore upstairs. Liza was planning to come for a long visit when the shop
opened, and although she didn’t think Jake was looking forward to meeting Liza
in person, Anna couldn’t wait to see them together. While Liza was cautious
about Anna getting back together with Jake, she admitted it didn’t surprise her
any.

Jake had talked her into not selling
her childhood home just yet. He suggested that she give herself more time to
make a decision since she was moving back to town. She knew for sure she didn’t
want to live there. Her reasons were not because of her past, but because she
wanted to find a place with Jake. A place that was perfect for them. So they’d
decided to stay at the apartment until the remodel was finished and they had
more time to find a place with Garrett’s help.

Em was over-the-top thrilled. Anna
had waited until after the honeymoon before telling her best friend that she
and Jake had made up. But then she remembered Em never knew about the argument
the night before her wedding. Em didn’t care. She was just happy to hear Anna
was staying. Anna couldn’t wait to tell Em about the ring Jake just placed on
her finger. But she was glad for the time. She wanted to be able to savor the
moment with Jake and all of the Yankee fans surrounding her.

The crowd cheered and was wound-up
like a rubber band in the bottom of the ninth when Jeter walked to the plate.
The score was tied at two.

“I love you, Jake—love like I never
thought was possible for me. You make me so happy.”

“I hope me bringing you here proves
how much I love you.”

“Shut up, slugger and kiss me.”

Tugging on the Atlanta Braves T-shirt
he wore, she brushed her lips over his. She was so wrapped up in
her
man that she didn’t even notice when
number two, on the first pitch, hit a walk-off homerun.

*THE END*

About the Author

Jennifer Simpkins has
always been an avid reader, but it wasn’t until she became a stay-at-home mom
did she start to read romance. Her passion of reading romance turned into
another passion she had as a child—writing. One late night of writing about
sexy heroes and strong-willed heroines turned into two nights, until seven
months later she had written her first novel.
She lives in a small town with her supportive husband (whose dream is to be on
the cover of one of her books), her daughter, and two dogs who can’t seem to
get along. If she is not writing, you can find her reading, hanging out with
her family, or cheering on the New York Yankees.

www.secretcravingspublishing.com