It wasn’t easy, but he broke the kiss, leaving her panting. His own breath wasn’t steady. “I was such an idiot,” he told her. “Pushing you away when you were everything I ever wanted.”
Amber’s throat filled. Her heart swelled. But fear still managed to work its way through. “What about that little problem with you and roller coasters?” she couldn’t help but ask.
He stroked her cheek with his hand. “I just didn’t understand them before.”
She blinked back tears. “And you do now?”
He inclined his head. “That ride wasn’t so bad,” he said, teasing her.
She didn’t laugh. “That’s not enough, Mike. You can’t go from hating something to that wasn’t so bad. You can’t settle.”
“Have I said or done anything since stepping onto that roller coaster that indicates I’m settling?” he asked incredulously. “I love you, Amber. I. Love. You. I flew here to tell you just that. I rode the roller coaster to prove that not only do I want the fun and the exhilaration that being with you brings, but I can handle it.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze from his clear blue eyes, so full of love and hope. She’d never seen the combination burn so bright in them before.
“Say that again.”
“The whole mouthful?” he asked in horror.
She laughed, her heart full. “No, silly. Just the three most important words.”
“I don’t know. You haven’t said them yet to me.” A smile worked at the corners of his mouth.
“I said them back at the bus station!”
“You said to Marshall, ‘I don’t love you, I love him.’ That’s not the same thing.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again. He was right. Even when she’d come to him and asked for a chance to make their marriage work, she’d never said those three words.
“I love you, too, Mike. I love you and your father and your cousin Derek and his wife, Gabrielle. I love your life and I want—” She realized what she was doing and she clenched her jaw shut tight.
“Go on,” he said, laughing.
She shook her head. “No. Not this time. You came out here, you say what you need to first.” Because she didn’t want to misread or misinterpret what he wanted for their future.
“I love you,” he said, giving her what she’d asked for. “And in case you aren’t sure what that means…” He paused and reached into his front jeans pocket, pulling out the large, gaudy ring he’d won for her, the one he’d found in his father’s house after she’d left. “So here is your engagement ring, back on your finger where it belongs. On your wedding-ring finger,” he clarified as he slipped it onto her left hand.
Laughing, she admired her bauble. “I do love it,” she said.
“And this is the wedding ring I hope you’ll wear from now on.” Taking her completely off guard, he pulled a small pouch from his other front pocket and removed a diamond band.
“I…Wow…When…”
“A lot’s gone on since you left, but there’s time to fill you in later. Let’s just say, I wasn’t coming to get you without a concrete symbol of commitment. Something beyond this.” He pointed to her huge fake diamond.
Amber grinned. “I love it, but how did you ever afford it?”
“Are you forgetting the money we won in Vegas?” he asked.
At the reminder, she sobered. “Have you forgiven me?” she asked softly.
“For what? Being you? Loving your father so much you’d do anything for him?” Mike wrapped one arm around her waist. “You’ve already invested so much of that infinite love into me and my family. There’s nothing to forgive.”
“Thank you.” Eyes damp, she brushed her lips over his. “Can I wear my wedding ring now?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not yet. Not until I ask your father for his blessing.”
His words took Amber off guard and she fell in love with him all over again. “I want you to see him, but you do realize that he can’t give you an answer?” she asked, saddened at the notion.