AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why do you want to stay here, Sadie?” His hands are on the edge of the counter, his arms flexed as he leans toward me, his dark coffee-stained eyes drilling into mine.
“This is my home.”
“And it always will be. You can leave and come home whenever you want.”
“Why are you asking me this?” Anger bubbles inside me. Why is he always so willing to cast me out to sea when I’m desperate to have him reel me in?
“I just want to know where your head is.” He goes to the fridge and grabs another beer.
What is going on with him tonight?
“It’s here. In Willowbrook. Along with my heart. I want to turn my family’s land into a chicken farm. That’s my dream now… well, one of them anyway.” I slide off the stool, rounding the island to face him. “Now, what are we celebrating?”
He places his beer bottle on the counter. “So, you want to stay in Willowbrook? You’re sure?”
“Jude! What the hell?”
He bites his bottom lip and stares at the floor, then he looks at me. “Answer the question,” he says so softly I barely hear him.
His chocolate eyes look into my green ones, and I see such a mix of emotions in his that I can’t make sense of them. “Yes. I’m not going anywhere.”
He slides his hand into his pocket.
“What is going on with you tonight?” I ask.
He places his palm on the counter and lifts his hand away. “Marry me, Sadie.”
I stare at the silver band with a beautiful round diamond sparkling in the center. My heart gallops, and my gaze rises to his.
Where did I miss the fork in the road this time?
Chapter Nine
Sadie
His eyes aren’t pouring over with love. His hands aren’t shaking from nerves. His smile isn’t full and wide. My heart slows to a trot before stalling completely because Jude’s not asking me to marry him because he loves me.
I’ve waited and wished for this day, but not like this. Not for the reason he’s asking.
I close my eyes, place my finger in the middle of the ring, and push it back to him. “No.”
Grabbing my wine, I walk out of the house and step out on the porch. I hear him turn off the burners, his beer sliding off the counter, and the porch screen door opens behind me.
“Why?”
I stare at the water and the two ducks that have been present all season, swimming side by side. I hug the pillar of the porch and drink my wine. “I’m not trapping you in some sham of a marriage.”
“You’re not trapping me if I’m doing the asking.”
He doesn’t face the lake, instead resting his backside on the railing and staring at me. His arms are crossed, and he has a beer in his hand.
“Why would you ask me?”
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
“I asked my dad if I could cosign for you, and he said no.”
