A Baby for Christmas (Love at The Crossroads)

Author:Simmons, Pat [Simmons, Pat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

I know you are going to be at Lindsay’s birthday party. Can we talk? Hershel texted Solae a few days later after digesting and accepting the news Royce and Trent had delivered. Since then, Hershel had done some serious soul searching.

He acknowledged that a well-respected fire captain who was fearless when it came to rescuing others in a life-or-death situation couldn’t get out of the scorching flames of the past to move on to the future.

A woman like Solae had no shortage of male admirers with her wit and beauty, so she didn’t have to give him the time of day since he let her walk away months ago.

Her swift response jumpstarted his heart to a pounding beat.Sure.

Hershel would have preferred a more personal message, but that one word was encouragement enough as he counted down to his new niece’s birthday party.

Between sleep, work, and his boys, Hershel’s time was short as he entered Lordo’s Diamonds in Ladue. Jim, the owner, welcomed him back with much fanfare.

“Captain Kavanaugh, good to see you again. Wanting to add another piece to your collection?”

“Yes.” Hershel exhaled. “The ring.” He had eyed the white-gold engagement ring since December and every time he thought he was ready, another piece of jewelry strayed him from his purpose—but not this time.

He blamed himself for not proposing sooner. God knew he loved her and he knew Solae loved him and the boys. It was his hang ups that got in the way.

Jim unlocked the glass case that held the uniquely twisted-shaped ring that reminded him of a basketball player safeguarding the ball as if he was cradling it with both arms. “This beauty is a fourteen carat, white-gold engagement ring embellished with thirty-six stones...”

Hershel politely listened but already knew the design details. He had seen others more or less expensive, but he did a double take with this piece. “When can I pick it up?”

The owner told him later in the week. Thanking Jim, Hershel headed home to get some rest. Despite his exhaustion, he had trouble sleeping, knowing that Solae could have been his a long time ago.

In the beginning, while Royce and Candace were deciding if they were going to go out, he had already taken Solae on three incredible dates where it seemed that they had always been together.

At home, before his head hit the pillow, Hershel ordered flowers to be delivered to her job and prayed, “Lord, I never wanted to hurt her. Please let Solae forgive me in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Moments later, he rolled over and heard himself snore as he drifted off. He didn’t wake again until the sun shined the next morning.

Not wanting to chance oversleeping on the day of the party, Hershel had taken off work that day and the day before. Well rested, he arrived early to his cousin’s ranch and nervously waited. Almost a year earlier, he had been the one hosting a birthday party for Brandon at the ranch because Terrence had horses and a couple of ponies.

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