Chapter 10
Like the time before, Davina was true to form and didn’t make it a half an hour into the trip before she was asleep against him. It was worse that time, Marcel knowing full well what she felt like against him. They were no longer just friends, but lovers and he wanted more. The trip home only gave him time to think and plot how he would convince her to stay there with him. Davina was a city girl, but he desperately wanted her there. If he had to go and live there with her, he would, but their true happiness was on the ranch.
When they pulled up, there were still lights on in almost every window and he took a deep breath before he woke her up with a kiss. It was going to be an eventful visit, he could just feel it. When she pulled him down for more, Marcel questioned if he shouldn’t show her the surprise right then, just to give them some alone time.
She made up his mind though when she pulled away and got out of the car. “Come on Marcel. I thought we were going to go say hi to Elna before it got too late?”
He was still reeling from the kiss and she seemed unfazed. Her emotions were either not as strong or highly guarded. Marcel was still not sure which one. He hoped that she was just trying to keep her head, because he had already lost his own.
They were just in time for a late dinner and everyone seemed to know that the two of them were a couple. Marcel caught Elna’s gaze a couple of times, but he wasn’t sure what she was trying to convey. Elna was looking better and he knew that it wouldn’t be long before she would be ready to take the helm again. Time was running out.
***
“I will be coming back on Monday Marcel.”
He looked down. “Oh.”
“I thought you would be happier. You can be back here with your horses and the sun. We both know that is what you really want.” Elna smiled to herself, though her face showed a concern. It had been her intentions all along to get her assistance and son together. The heart attack had just given her a reason, but after seeing the two of them together, she was convinced that what they had was not going anywhere. He loved her and Elna was sure that Davina felt the same way.
“I am. Of course I am happy that you are ready, but don’t you think it is too soon? I worry that you are pushing yourself too much.”
“Are you worried about me or worried that you won’t get to see Davina anymore?”
He paused and looked back at her from where he had started to pace again. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I am talking about, but you don’t need to worry Marcel. She already loves you. How could she not? Ask her what it is you want to ask her and she will say yes.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because a woman knows these things Marcel and I know you. I haven’t seen you like this since that sweet little girl you fell in love with when you were in high school.”
“That sweet girl broke my heart if you remember.”
“How could I not? It’s different this time. You two are perfect for each other.”
“Why do I feel like it was your plan all along?”
She shrugged, “It may be, but it doesn’t make me any less right. Go to her and ask what it is in your heart.”
Marcel went to find Davina with her words in his mind. It was all he could think of and he hoped that she was right. He still wasn’t sure, but the hard lump in his pocket had been there for days while he tried to get up courage. It was too soon, but he didn’t care. He had been told years ago when he had asked his father about love in his youth that he would just know and Marcel just knew that she was the one for him.
When he found her he pulled her to the side and asked her to come with him for a ride. It wasn’t quite yet dark and he wanted her to see the surprise in the light. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” He pulled her up next to him on the horse and took off towards the far reaches of the family land. Each sibling was given a part of it and he had used his to make a home that he knew he would need one day. Even before he had met Davina, in the back of his mind, he was always preparing for her. When it came up in the distance and they stopped, he could feel her grip tightening around him.
“What is this place?”
“Your new home if you will have me.”
“Have you?”
He got down and helped her down, setting her on the ground before he went to his knees. “Will you marry me Davina? Live here with me in our new home. It must be fate because it was finished the week after I met you. I love you and I know you love me.”
Marcel looked up at her with hopeful eyes and she was shaking her head before she could think of the words. She didn’t want to keep him wondering. He picked her up and kissed her before setting her back down next to the startled horse. He had been so in the moment, that he had forgotten the most important part. Sliding the ring on her finger, they kissed again, in front of their new home.
~THE END~