Van came closer. “You don’t need to ask. I’m a stockholder, and I want Wade to succeed. I believe it can.” He ran his touch over my cheek. “I know it can because I know you, not the child but the incredible woman.” He trailed his fingers down my cheek, my neck, to the top of my scooped neckline, stopping between my breasts. “And in here, beating beneath my touch is a pure heart. I know that because I know the opposite. I see your light and your desire. You want Wade to succeed. That makes me want the same thing.”
“I’m so tired.”
“We’ll go back to Ashland tomorrow.”
“I want to get married.”
Van’s smile grew. “Me too.”
“That works well.”
“Tomorrow before we go back?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t want a big wedding. I walked away from one of those. Do you think you could find a judge or a pastor in Ashland?”
His eyes shimmered. “I know a few.”
“I was thinking that we could invite Paula, Mrs. Mayhand,” I corrected, “and Margaret and her husband. They’re your friends and mine. I’d like Vicki to be there if it’s possible.”
“Julia, anything is possible.”
“I was wondering if we marry in the cabin with a fire and serve our guests coffee and nectarines?”
Van leaned down, bringing his forehead to mine. “If Mrs. Mayhand is invited, I doubt she’ll settle for coffee and nectarines.”
“I’m not my mother.” I blinked away the tears. “I’m not.”
“No, beautiful, you are not.”
“I don’t care about grand productions or throwing parties she probably can’t afford.”
Van shook his head. “I love that about you.”
“Do you know that since we’ve met, you’ve listened to me more than almost anyone. You know more about me because you—”
“Care,” Van said, finishing my sentence. “I care, Julia.”
I wrapped my arms around his torso. “I love you.”
Kisses came to the top of my head. “I love you too. I have an idea. We need to get our things packed, but that can wait. How about I order dinner and you go down the hall and relax?”
Peering up, I said, “A bath sounds nice.”
“Take a bath.”
“Would you like to join me?”
I grinned. “The bathtub is big for just one person. What about dinner?”
“I’m not hungry.”