Buttercup’s fingers trembled as she made her way down the long hallway. When she reached the foyer, it was empty. Relief mixed with a bit of disappointment ran over her. It would have been healing to give Tom the closure he had come for. As she turned to leave, a sparkle caught her eye.

On the foyer table was her ring. The ring Tom had given her when he had asked her to marry him and she had said yes. Under the ring was a note.

Buttercup,

I know you don’t owe me anything. But if you would meet me tonight at Cuppa Coffee Shop. I just want to tell you I’m sorry- and goodbye in person. Then I will be out of your life.

Yours, always

Thomas

Quietly, Buttercup slipped the note and the ring into her pocket. Inside the material of her jeans, her fingers wrapped around the only memento of her past. She made her way back to the kitchen.

Jake and Jessica looked up at her expectantly.

Giving a shrug, Buttercup said, “He left.”

“Must have lost his nerve,” Jessica murmured.

Buttercup tried to avoid Jake’s intense gaze.

Still seated, Jake propped the heel of his boot up on the rung of his barstool. Crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowed at Buttercup. “He left, huh? Just like that. Strange.” His gaze darkened as he looked her over.

Giving a fake laugh, Buttercup waved away his concern with her hand. “You must have scared him off, Jake.”

“But he didn’t even meet me.”

“I did tell him she had a boyfriend,” Jessica interjected helpfully.

Buttercup wasn’t lying to Jake, not really. Tom had left. Putting her hand in her pocket, she twirled at the ring anxiously. It wasn’t that she wanted to see Tom again for her sake. She just felt she owed him. After all they had been through, all the years they had been together. Buttercup wanted nothing but Jake. But she wanted to give Tom the gift of a goodbye.

Not able to sit under Jake’s scrutinizing gaze one more minute, she looked down at her boots, mumbling, “I’ll be right back. I just want to change out of these clothes before dinner.”

Without a glance at Jessica or Jake, she hurried down the hall closing her door quickly behind her. Leaning against the door, Buttercup heaved a great sigh. She pulled out the note. The familiar handwriting brought out the feelings that Tom often did in her. Worry, sadness. But also, love.

She knew he was a lost soul and they had been together for so long, though no part of her was in love with him, she did feel love for him. Like one feels for an old friend knowing the friendship isn’t sustainable. And so, one must say goodbye.

Quickly hiding the note and the ring in her nightstand, under the pile of money, Buttercup shut the little drawer. Out of sight out of mind, at least until tonight.

She would have to get through dinner, first, without raising Jake’s concerns. There was no way in the world after what she had told him about her relationship with Tom that he would ever let her go alone to see her ex-fiancé. But with Jake present, there was no way for her to give Tom the closure she had robbed him of when she had left town without a trace.

And so, she would hide the truth and do what she knew was right. She would say goodbye to Tom.

* * *

Dinner had been tense, for her at least. Since she had avoided making eye contact with Jake, she hadn’t been able to read his face and see if he was on to her. He spoke jovially as usual, joking with the boys and complimenting Jessica’s cooking. Nothing was amiss.

When he had kissed her goodnight, she had given a huge yawn, faking fatigue from their busy day. “I think I’ll just hit the hay,” she had said, closing the door gently behind him.

Hearing the roar of the engine, Buttercup watched as the lights of his truck headed down the long drive.

Hurrying to her room, she grabbed her coat and purse. She caught a glance of herself in the mirror as she turned to leave. She did not look like the same person who had left the apartment carrying only a purse, manila envelope, and single dress.

Her hair was shiny, the red highlights glittering under the soft lamp light. There were no more dark circles under her eyes. Her cheek bones were still high and prominent as always, but the gaunt look was gone from her face. There was a blush on her cheeks. She looked healthy, happy, and in love. She would meet Tom face to face then permanently close the door on that chapter of her life. Moving forward with Jake.

Bumping into Jessica in the hallway, she asked for the keys to the Lexus. Making up a story about getting her period and needing to hit the drugstore, Jessica had given her the keys, a bar of chocolate, and a bottle of Midol. “Take your time, hon. Do something for yourself—get your nails done.”

“I’ll do that. Great idea.” Grabbing Jessica in a hug, Buttercup was grateful for the ruse knowing it would buy her more time before Jessica and Ray would expect her back.

Climbing into the white Lexus, Buttercup threw her purse onto the seat beside her. Having made up her mind to go ahead with this plan, she ignored the shaking of her fingers as she turned the key in the ignition. Who wouldn’t be nervous when seeing an old boyfriend? There was nothing wrong with what she was doing. Just a favor for an old friend.

As she made her way down the driveway, Jake’s earnest face popped up in her mind’s eye. “What are you doing, Buttercup? Lying, sneaking around, and meeting up alone with someone you once thought to be dangerous?”

Turning on the radio, Buttercup blared the music to drown out the voice of the her subconscious that was lecturing her as if it were Jake. She knew she was doing the right thing. Wasn’t she? She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she had to slam on her brakes when she almost missed a stop sign.

Her nerves would not settle down as she approached the place Tom had directed her to meet him with his note. Pulling into the shopping center at the edge of town, she parked the car at Cuppa Coffee House. Flipping down the visor of the car, she double checked her reflection. Despite her loyalty to Jake, she found herself running a lipstick over her mouth. Checking the mirror once more, she fluffed her long hair. Good enough for a man that was no longer in her life.

Grabbing her purse from the seat, she left the car, locking the door behind her.

Entering the coffee shop, Buttercup looked for Tom. When her eyes lay on him in a corner booth, a wave of mixed emotions came crashing down upon her. Much like one of those waves that she had ridden in the ocean. Seeming harmless but then pulling you under, into their strong current.

His dark hair hung over his ice blue eyes. His gaze intensified as it met hers. He stood, waiting for her by the booth. Buttercup was overwhelmed by the sudden urge to run from the shop, go home and pretend Tom had never come to town.

Then he smiled. It was the same, sad, lost puppy smile he had first lured her in with.

Legs weak, walking slowly over to the table, Buttercup was unsure how to greet him after the time that had passed. She was a different woman then she had been when she had left her ring, running from their room, their apartment, their life together.

“Buttercup.” His familiar voice softened her unease. Stepping towards her, Tom wrapped his arms around her, giving her a brief hug before pulling away.

She gave him a soft smile, sitting down in the booth. On the table before her was a black tea with milk. The same drink she had ordered each time they would go to the coffee shop around the corner from their last apartment. Tom’s cup was filled with coffee, black, as he loved to drink it all afternoon into the evening.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d come. Alone.”

Realizing she still had yet to speak, Buttercup stuttered out the word, “No, I mean, yes. I came. Alone.”

Wrapping his hands around his steaming mug, Tom said, “Got a boyfriend, huh?”

She gave a nod, taking a small sip of her tea.

“Good for you,” he said, quietly. “You deserve to be happy.”

His despondent tone brought her eyes up to meet his. “So, do you,” she whispered.

He gave a shake of his head, the jet-black locks moving with it.

“I wasn’t as good to you as I should have been, Buttercup. You deserved more.” Running his hand through his hair he looked up at her with those icy eyes. Once, just a glance from him would make her melt. Now, she just felt sorry for him.

When she spoke, she was surprised that her voice was strong and did not waiver. “Then treat your next girl better, Jake. But it isn’t meant to be me.”

His friendly gaze darkened as he looked her over, absorbing her words.

“When I came here, I told myself it would just be goodbye. Then you walked in here and I laid eyes on you.” He reached his hand out as if to stroke her face.

She cringed. When she did, a sadness came to his face. He looked down.

“I understand,” he said softly.

She gave a nod.

“But I want you to know, I’ve changed. I’m not angry like I was.”

“Good.” Buttercup was starting to have a feeling in her stomach. It was that nauseous trouble feeling one gets sometimes. When they realize that the thing they told themselves was okay to do was the wrong choice all along. She knew she had made the wrong choice. And she knew she was in trouble.

Buttercup went to stand, saying, “I should go.” That was when Tom’s long fingers reached out, wrapping tightly around her wrist. Buttercup’s eyes snapped open, wide, locked on his blue ones. She felt panic running through her body. What was she doing here, with him, and no one knew where she was? She should have told Jake, of that she was now certain.

His pale eyes pleaded with her. “Just give me a lift to my hotel. I have a flight out of here in the morning. It’s the last you’ll see of me, I promise.”

She was overreacting. Tom had no idea that no one knew where she was. For all he knew, Ray might be right outside. There were people here in the coffee shop. They were in a public place. She was safe. She just needed to get him to the hotel, go back home, and crawl in bed. Making the decision whether she would come clean with Jake about her little escapade, she could do tomorrow.

“All right.” She gave him a nod and he let go of her wrist. She could still feel where the pressure had been on her skin. The memory of bruises that had been in that same place months ago flashed in her mind.

She stood still, fingering the keys in her pocket, waiting for Tom to put on his jacket. He brushed past her, his touch sending old familiar shivers down her spine. But they only served to make her miss the type of shivers that came when Jake’s arm touched her.

It’s just a ride. Just giving a ride to an old friend who’s having a tough time. Then life in Poke Town will go right back to normal. And Jake would not even need to know, she decided.

Tom held the door open for her, as he had always done. He placed his hand on her lower back, guiding her to the Lexus he must have seen her getting out of when she arrived to the coffeeshop.

Taking the keys from her pocket, Buttercup pushed the button on the fob twice, unlocking the doors. It was just a ride. As she went to grasp the handle of the driver’s side door, Tom stepped between her and the door.

Holding out his hand and flashing her his classic Tom smile, he said, “I’d love to drive. I’ve always wanted a car like this.”

Red flags popped up in her mind’s eye, the nausea trouble feeling welling up in her tummy.

“That’s okay—it’s Jessica’s car. I’d better drive, just in case anything happens.”

“Aww, come on, Butters. Let me drive. You always said I was a good driver.” After using the familiar pet name he had for her, he reached up to her and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Bringing his hand down, he smoothly removed the keys from her hand with one swipe. Again, placing a hand on her lower back, he walked her around the front of the car to the passenger side.

It was just a ride. But if it was just a ride, why were her hands shaking so badly?

As Tom opened the passenger side door, and Buttercup went to get into the car, bright headlights blinded her from a car that had pulled into the spot across from them. Lights still on, Buttercup heard the door of a car slam and a familiar, deep voice call out, “Oh, hell no, Buttercup.”

Getting out of the car, Buttercup shielded her eyes from the blinding light. Jake stood, tall and broad, hands on his hips. “You want to sneak off and meet this scum bag, that’s just fine. But if you think for a second I am going to let him drive you off somewhere you are mistaken.”

“You followed her here? Man, get a life.”

“You want to talk about following someone, punk? What about stalking them across the country, then showing up unannounced because you know the woman doesn’t want to take your calls. Then you talk her into letting you drive. Where were you going, huh? Looks like an abduction to me.”

Tom gave a callous laugh. “It would have to be against her will for it to be abduction, wouldn’t it? She wanted to go with me.”

Buttercup looked pleadingly at Jake. “I was only driving him to his hotel. He is leaving in the morning.”

Wrapping an arm around Buttercup, Tom said, “Come on, Butters, let’s go.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Jake had closed the space between the two men. “Get your hands off my girl,” he growled.

Buttercup pushed Tom away, planting herself between the two men. “Tom, I’ll take you to the hotel, Jake can follow us. Then it’s goodbye. I’m with Jake, now.” She locked eyes on Jake’s brown eyes. Where there was usually warm kindness, there was absolute rage.

Tom growled, “We were fine. She will be home before you know it, Jake.”

“We will call you a cab, Tom,” Jake growled back.

“You can’t let Buttercup make her own decisions? You control freak.”

“She made her decision, Tom. She left you. You should have respected that fact.”

“And maybe I was about to show her what she was missing. How can you be so sure she wasn’t going back to the hotel with me for the night?”

Disbelief entered Jake’s eyes. He turned to Buttercup. The look that was there broke her heart.

“I was very clear it was just a ride. He’s lying,” she said softly. Her eyes turned to Tom. The livid look she saw there told her what was coming next.

“Bitch,” he muttered.

Before she could turn her eyes away from him, Jake had thrown the first punch. It landed square on Tom’s jaw, his head flying back. He quickly recovered. And Buttercup knew firsthand what Jake did not. Tom was quick, and Tom fought dirty. In a flash, Tom delivered a right hook to Jake’s side knocking the wind from Jake.

“Get in the truck, Buttercup,” Jake gasped as his breath returned to his body.

Buttercup quickly made her way behind Jake into the passenger seat of the truck, slamming the door. Taking a deep breath, Jake unleashed his full strength, wrapping his arms around Tom’s middle and throwing him to the ground.

Unable to watch, Buttercup hung her head in her hands.

* * *

“You are in a world of trouble, little lady.”

Her insides melted underneath his stern gaze.

“Ouch.”

Buttercup moved the ice over the bruise that was showing up on Jake’s cheek bone.

“Hold still,” she murmured as she held the towel wrapped icepack to his face.

“What were you thinking? Going with that guy? Sneaking off like that, not telling anyone where you were…”

“I know.” Placing her hand gently on his knee to stop his lecture, she moved the ice slightly to the left to get more coverage.

Sitting still, she could feel Jake’s warm gaze over her as she worked. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She snuck a peek at his warm, brown eyes. His wide, white smile broke across his tanned face. “So much trouble.”

Leaning in he kissed her warmly. As he kissed her, Buttercup could feel her mind leaving her body, her existence becoming a bundle of nerves. Lowering the ice pack, she placed her free hand over his chest. Pulling away, he whispered, “I’m so glad you weren’t going away, Buttercup.”

“Never,” she answered. “Not ever.”

“You are still in trouble, but it can wait until tomorrow. My spanking hand is sore anyway.” Jake said, stretching out the fingers on his hand.

Buttercup moved the icepack to his hand. “Can’t have that, now, can we?”

“You might regret icing that hand for me, tomorrow, when you are getting paddled with it.”

Unable to meet his eye, she said, “I don’t think so.”

Buttercup was quickly becoming friends with the truth. And the truth was she felt awful. Plain and simple. She had let Jake down, gotten the men into a fight, and lied to everyone. The whole thing could have been avoided if she had just shown Jake the note.

She wanted the cleansing that she knew would come with the discipline.

Jake’s soft gaze told her he wanted the same.

* * *

Laying over Jake’s lap, her body stretched out across his blue couch, Buttercup felt nervous trembles in her stomach as his deep, stern voice lectured her.

“You have a little habit of telling lies, don’t you? I will happily be spanking it right out of you, little lady. Now, where should we start? Lying to Jessica about where you were going. Lying by omission to me and Jessica when you told us Tom had left…”

“But he had left.”

A loud, hard spank came down on her bare bottom. “Yeouch!”

“I did not give you permission to speak, young lady. We may have already had our sweet make up last night but that does not get you off the hook, even a little bit, for the stunt you pulled.”

“Yes, sir.” His tone was so severe when he spoke, it made a wave of submission wash over her.

“Lying by not telling us he left a note, lying to Jessica about what you were using her car for and where you were going. Lying when you kissed me goodnight and led me to believe you would be safely tucked into bed. You should be starting to catch onto the fact that I can always tell when you are lying, Buttercup, baby. I can read it right on your naughty face. All I had to do was wait at the bottom of the driveway and ten minutes later—there you were to follow. You almost passed through a stop sign, by the way, which brings me to my next point, your safety.”

Buttercup rested her cheek on the backs of her hands, her elbows bent and her hands beneath her face. Other than the cool air feeling drafty on her bare skin, she was quite comfortable. Jake’s words made her feel safe, protected, and loved.

Then the spanking started in earnest. She was no longer so comfortable. As he spoke, he brought his hand down, hard and fast onto her sensitive skin. As he spanked and spoke he seemed to get more upset over her transgressions. Listing all the ways she had put herself in danger he continued to wallop her behind with his broad hand.

“Now, tell me exactly where you will be from now on when I kiss you goodnight?”

“In my bed!”

“And what will be the punishment for lying, big or small?”

He waited for her to say the word, but she didn’t know if she could. After a moment, his long fingers drummed impatiently on her derrière.

“Buttercup…”

“S-spanking. A spanking.”

“A good old-fashioned, over my knee, panties down, bare bottom spanking, young lady.”

Commencing the punishment, he whacked away. Buttercup’s skin was stinging and burning, and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take of her boyfriend’s corrective measures. Just as she began to consider begging for his mercy, Jake said, “Now, for the paddle.”

Flying up from the waist and turning towards him over her shoulder, she exclaimed, “What! You can’t be serious.”

“Look at my face. Do I look serious to you? Did you think you would be getting off lightly after what you did?”

She considered his face. His brow was narrowed, his eyes challenging. And his jaw was set in that way men’s jaws tend to do when they have made their final decision.

“Um. I guess not.”

“Up you go, little girl.” Jake helped her from his lap, standing beside him on the couch. She was grateful she wore a skirt because as she stood, it fell into place. It covered her bare bottom and panties that were currently wrapped around the tops of her thighs, having been put there by Jake’s nimble fingers.

Clearing her throat, she stood nervously. Her bottom felt hot and sore, her face flushed. She waited, fidgeting, as Jake stood up. Her eyes wandered to the side table that he was reaching for. There sat a little teal paddle, about ten inches long total. It was the width of a spatula with a short handle. Her eyes widened as Jake picked up the little paddle, hitting his palm with a ‘whack’.

His warm brown eyes locked on hers. His usual smile was absent. Instead his full, kissable lips were set in a firm line. The look he gave her made her insides melt into a puddle. Buttercup imagined this was the look one would receive from a father figure type when they had been naughty. She couldn’t know for sure since she had never had that herself, but it gave her the perfect mixed feeling of shame and thrill.

“This may be small, but it will instill a lesson that you will not soon forget.”

Gulping nervously, Buttercup gave a nod. Jake grabbed her hand, leading her over to a white, wing backed chair by the fireplace. “Over you go,” he said, helping her to bend over the high arm of the chair.

When she was settled, Jake lifted her skirts, draping the material over her back. The gentle touch of his hand running over her sensitive skin made chill bumps raise on her skin. She groaned with shame as his finger hooked into the elastic waist of her panties, pulling them further down her thighs.

“Spread your legs for me, Buttercup.”

Could she? The request sounded so simple flowing from his honeyed Texas accent. But it seemed impossible to do. Spreading her legs would mean giving her full submission to Jake, allowing him view and access to her most private parts.

“Buttercup.” His voice became impatient as he tapped her bottom lightly with the paddle.

Taking a deep breath, Buttercup moved each of her feet a few inches out from where they were firmly planted. As she spread her legs, the elastic of her panties stretched tightly around her legs.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “This spanking is to remind you that there are no secrets between us.

The little paddle slapped every inch of her cheeks—even the tender spots where they met in the center. Her upper thigh just below the curve of her bottom got very special attention from Jake’s paddle and had her crying out, promising that she would never, ever keep another secret from him again.

When she could take no more, hanging limply over the chair, Jake untwisted the roll of panties, lifting them up and over her burning bottom. He pulled her up and into his arms. Sitting down on the chair, he brought Buttercup down onto his lap.

She curled up into a snug little ball trying to avoid putting too much weight directly onto her sore spots, wanting to be as close to Jake as possible.

He held her tightly, stroking her hair and her back. Murmuring sweetly to her as he dried her tears. She wanted to hop from foot to foot, rubbing the sting from her bottom but she knew Jake would not approve of that and besides, she would be too far away from him.

Laying her head against his chest, Buttercup tried to process the jumble of emotions that were running through her. She knew this was no ordinary love. She also knew that society would be telling her to run from the room screaming, to call the cops even. But the feeling of a full contented completeness was what she felt. Never had she had such a sense of peace and protection as she did post punishment wrapped in Jake’s strong arms.

Stuff society and their limiting definitions of love. She knew she had found her forever.

* * *

After her thorough spanking, Jake had escorted Buttercup down to the sheriff’s office where she had begun to file the papers to request a restraining order against Thomas.

She hadn’t wanted to, still convinced that Tom was not trying to abduct her. But Jake had made it very clear that with or without her cooperation, she would be filing one. And he was more than happy to have her standing, her bottom too sore to sit, while she filled the paperwork out if she had second thoughts about it.

“I still don’t know why we need to do this, he left town,” she murmured when she was sure the sheriff was out of earshot.

“Are you testing me, little Buttercup? Because what I said I would do I will deliver. If you want to cause a fuss about this, I will ask this kind sheriff for the use of his very private office. And as a man of the law and a believer in authority, I think he will grant it to me.”

She considered his face. He would spank her. Right here in this very office. She had no doubt. And so, she closed her mouth.

“Good girl,” he said. “I’m sorry you missed out on having a daddy growing up. But I am more than happy to fulfill the role, now.”

Her mouth popped open into a wide ‘o’.

“That’s right, Buttercup, baby.” He raised a dark brow to her, tightening the protective hold he had around her shoulders.

Just then the sheriff re-entered the room.

“Okay, ma’am,” he looked at his files, his brow furrowing, “do I have this right? Buttercup?”

“Yes, that’s right,” she retorted. Named after the lead character in the movie, Princess Bride, she had taken flack for her name all her life. She was not about to take it now.

Jake flashed a warning look at her. “Yes, that’s her name, sir.”

“Great. Well, from what you’ve told me, I sure am glad you are filing an order against this guy. Sounds like a real creep. Did not have a clean record, either.”

“I’m glad you say so, sheriff. My little lady here had her qualms about getting a restraining order on her ex-boyfriend.”

The sheriff raised his brow at Buttercup. “Ex-girlfriend? Were the domestic abuse charges I saw for you, honey?”

“Some. But he had girlfriends before me.”

The sheriff gave a whistle. “And you weren’t going to file? I’m glad this young man talked some sense into you.”

Jake’s eyes locked on Buttercup’s. “She still isn’t convinced. I can tell. But please tell us, how long have you been an officer of the law?”

Hitching up the waist of his pants proudly, the sheriff declared, “Over thirty years now, I’ve been serving the dear people of our county.”

“And tell me—from your experience, if a boyfriend with a history of domestic violence tracks you down, convinces you to meet him alone and tell no one, then proceeds to tell you he really wants to drive the car you are about to enter, what does that sound like to you?”

“An abduction. Plain and simple.” The older man gave a shrug of his shoulders, looking to Buttercup to see if she had a rebuttal.

“Any questions, Buttercup?” Jake asked, squeezing her shoulder.

“No, sir.”

“All right. Let’s get this thing filled out.”

* * *

To Ray’s chagrin Buttercup had taken to staying over at Jake’s. Sure, she was sleeping in the guestroom, but that little fact made the separation no easier for Ray.

The truth was Jake would not let Buttercup out of his sight. And she was loving every minute of it. Fearful that Tom would return, he kept Buttercup with him day and night. She had learned how to wield a nail gun, how to lay tile and how to properly work a caulk gun. Always having a love for numbers, she had also taken over Jake’s accounting for his handy man business. And this was the first week she had done all the billing for him as well.

When she would visit the ranch, the little Stevenson boys would surround her. Momentary guilt would sweep over her, but Jessica was always right there by her side, reassuring her she had made the right choice.

Ray was not so understanding of the situation.

“I mean—you aren’t even married. Why can’t you stay here?”

“Jake doesn’t feel comfortable unless I’m with him. Just until this Tom thing settles down.”

“But I can protect you from that scum.”

“You have your own family to take care of, Ray. Besides, I don’t want to risk him coming here looking for me.”

Finally giving in, Ray had given Buttercup his blessing.

When explaining her brother’s unease to Jake later, she had said, “He just doesn’t get it. You know—since we aren’t married. He’s kind of old-fashioned.

“So am I. Why don’t we get married?” It had been Jake who insisted she sleep in the guestroom in the first place. Jake flashed his wide smile, but it didn’t melt the ice that was forming in the pit of Buttercup’s stomach.

“I don’t want to be married,” she answered softly.

“Why?”

“Think about it. My dad left Ray’s mom. My mom left my dad. I left Tom right after we got engaged. Marriage just doesn’t work.”

“What about Wes and Carrie? Ray and Jessica?”

“Carrie and Jessica both have prior broken engagements.”

“And afterwards they married their soul mates. It means I’m the man for you.”

“I just can’t stomach the idea of it.”

“You can’t stomach the idea of marrying me?” Jake’s eyes suddenly went cold.

“Not you, per se, just marriage in general.”

“But you were engaged to Tom?”

“I know. That’s my point exactly. I shouldn’t have been engaged.”

Jake looked down at her hands in his lap. Grabbing the fourth finger on her left hand, he ran his thumb over it. His gaze locked on hers. “Well, I’m afraid that’s a deal breaker for me, Buttercup.”

“Why? Isn’t it just a ceremony? A legal thing that doesn’t matter.”

“Not to me.”

“What is it to you?”

“It’s everything. An eternal commitment of eternal love. Our happily ever after.”

Buttercup’s insides went funny. As if she was standing from a great height, looking down. The room began to spin.

“I should go back to Ray’s.”

Jake stood. “No, you aren’t. We are going to talk this out and you won’t be leaving until we both are back to feeling good.”

“I should go.” She had no other ideas to make the dizzy feeling go away.

“How are you going to get there, Buttercup?”

“If you won’t drive me, I guess I’ll have to walk.”

“You walk across Poke Town and when you get to Ray’s, your brother will take you over his knee himself and spank your butt right there in the front yard of his house when you arrive.”

Buttercup thought through the mental image Jake had painted for her. Poke Town had grown since she had last lived here and there were parts of town that weren’t so safe for her to be marching through alone. She couldn’t be sure that Jake wasn’t right about his assessment of what Ray’s reaction would be.

“Fine,” she said, holding her head in her hands, willing the room to stop spinning.

Sitting beside her, wrapping his arm around her, Jake asked, “Tell me, right now, exactly what this fear of yours is all about.”

“It’s like my family has a curse. It seems the engagements and marriages make someone leave. I just don’t want to risk you leaving me.”

“I’m never, ever, going anywhere, Buttercup. If you are my wife, you should know—you are stuck with me for life. Richer, poorer, sickness or health. I will be by your side every step of the way. Forever.”

His hand rubbing her back made the fear, the dizziness melt away.

“Jake Hargett, are you asking me to marry you?” she teased.

Getting down on one knee, the look he gave her made her heart stop beating. Pulling from his pocket a small, gold, antique ring, he held it out to her.

“My grandmother’s ring. It’s been in my family for over two hundred years. A sign of love, and fidelity. Will you do me the honor of wearing this ring? Of becoming my wife? Buttercup?”

Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she whispered the word, “Yes.” And this time she knew when she answered this question, she would be Jake’s—for eternity.