Page 50 of Wintering with George

“I think tomorrow sounds perfect,” Thomasin said. “I’d rather stay here.”

“Same,” Toby stated happily, hugging his mother.

“Of course,” I agreed, smiling at them.

“Who’s going to help me make breakfast?” Thomasin asked.

The boys and Brad all wanted to.

Needing a moment, I went upstairs while Kurt fed the dogs and Bubs.

In our room, I took a seat on our bed and looked at the ring on my finger. It all felt like it was moving too fast all of a sudden, and that was never good for me.

“Hey,” Kurt said, walking into the room. “Are you going to come back down? We have cinnamon rolls ready to go.”

“Yeah,” I replied but didn’t move.

His indrawn breath was choppy. “Baby, if you don’t like the ring, we can go get you a⁠—”

“No, it’s beautiful,” I murmured, touching it, my fingers running over the diamonds, feeling the smooth platinum of the heavy band.

“Then what’s wrong?”

I shook my head but still didn’t get up, didn’t move.

Taking a seat beside me, he immediately took my hand, the one with the ring, in his. “Look at me.”

I lifted my eyes to his.

“I would never tell you your business or think for you. It’s not my place, and honestly, I wouldn’t want to.”

I remained still and quiet, his voice soothing my rabbiting heart.

“But since you stepped off the plane, you have been in protection mode, in fixer mode, and have not had even a moment to completely relax.”

It was true. “Yeah.”

“I think, because of that, because everything is just rushing by, that you maybe feel like you were rushed into an engagement as well.”

I nodded.

“If you want,” he said gently, “we can pack the ring away until you’re ready.”

But the idea of taking it off didn’t feel right.

“Yes?” he asked, searching my face.

“No,” I whispered.

“Oh,” he said, exhaling sharply. “That’s amazing.”

“Why? Do you think I don’t want to get married?”

“No. But I think maybe, like I said, you feel rushed, and I would never want to do that because this is the most important step in my life.”

“It is?”

He smiled at me. “Of course it is. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. I get excited to see you at the end of the day. I love it when we meet out for dinner somewhere and you take my hand when we’re leaving the restaurant and I drive us home.”