Before now. Before Bas.
But he wanted to take her away from here, and as much as she loved him…
Jocelyn’s heart began hammering fast and furious in her chest. Reese was right. She was already in love. Suddenly the thought of not being with Bas was something she didn’t want to think about and at that moment she knew to deny her love for him was a mistake. She did love him and she had to believe that things would work out and that no matter where he went or where he lived, her place was with him. He was her future as well as her present.
Later that evening Jocelyn knocked on Bas’s cabin’s door as she went back and forth in her mind what she would say to him. She knew she needed to explain why she had freaked out this morning when he’d told her he loved her, and to make sure that he believed she loved him, as well.
After having lunch she had dropped by to visit Leah, only to find her sister in the best of moods. Leah shared the reason with her. Jocelyn was truly happy for her sister and proud of the progress she’d made with Reese. Now Jocelyn knew she had to get things right with her man, as well.
The door opened and she saw the surprised look on Bas’s face. “Jocelyn. I didn’t expect to hear from you, especially after this morning.”
“I know. May I come in?”
“Sure,” he said, stepping aside. She walked in and closed the door behind her.
Bas went to stand in front of the fireplace while Jocelyn remained in the center of the room. “I need to apologize about this morning, Bas.”
He held her gaze. “Evidently I hit a sore spot.”
Jocelyn nodded. “Yes, the thought of ever loving anyone has been a personal insecurity I’ve refused to acknowledge. For some reason I’ve equated falling with love with eventually losing that person. So, to play it safe, I never allowed myself the luxury of truly loving anyone. Until you.”
He raised to his lips the glass he was holding in his hand and took a sip, never letting his eyes stray from hers. “And do you? Do you love me, Jocelyn?”
She smiled, hoping he would see the truth in her eyes. “Yes, I love you, Bas. Reese sent me away from the job site this morning so I could go someplace and rationalize things, and I did. I can’t let life pass me by without having dreams, and without having love. I love you, Bas, and if your offer still stands, I want to be your wife.”
Bas set his drink on the mantel and came to stand in front of Jocelyn. “The offer still stands, sweetheart,” he said in a husky voice, reaching out and cradling her face in his hands.
“There’s one thing you’re going to discover about a Steele, Jocelyn. When we find the woman we want, that’s it. We don’t give up until we have her. I heard what you said this morning but there was no way I was going to give you up without a fight. What I have to offer you is my love for the rest of your days, Jocelyn. I believe in my heart there was a reason your father wanted me here and now I know what that reason is. You. All I’m asking is that you trust me enough to know that I love you, I’ll take care of you and keep you safe for the rest of my life. And I meant what I said. I don’t have to return to Charlotte. I’ll be content living right in this town with you, as long as the two of us are together.”
Tears sprang into Jocelyn’s eyes. This beautiful man was willing to make sacrifices for her. “No, everything is worked out now. I’ve talked to Reese and Leah. They’ve agreed with my decision to sell the company to Cameron Cody, granted he agrees to all of the concessions I want him to make. That way Reese can use the money Dad left him to start his own business. Leah plans to stay and if things continue to work out, she will eventually open a restaurant next to Reese’s shop.”
She then smiled brightly. “It seems that Reese and Leah are making progress, so I’ll be selling Reese back their home. That means I won’t have a place to live. Any ideas?”
Bas took a step closer to her. “Baby, I have plenty. But are you sure you want to sell the company? I know how much Mason Construction means to you.”
“Yes, but it was Dad’s dream and not really mine. My dream is to be with you, Bas. To love you, marry you and start a family with you. I want lots of babies.”