Special Delivery by April Wilson

Chapter 21 – Jonah

Jonah Locke

After lunch, I grab Lia’s hand and pull her out the front door. “Let’s go see the horses.”

“Okay,” she says, eyeing me suspiciously as we step outside.

We pass Haley and Philip, who are seated on the front steps, deep in conversation.

“Hey, guys,” Lia says to them. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Is there anything you wouldn’t do, Lia?” Philip asks with a laugh.

“Don’t be a smart ass, Phil,” Lia says. “I kicked your ass once before. I can do it again.”

Haley’s eyes widen. “You did?” she calls after us. “Seriously, Lia?”

“Yep,” Lia yells back. “Knocked him out cold. Just ask him. He’ll tell you all about it.”

We walk across the circular drive and down the well-worn path that leads to the barn. Lia’s blonde hair is pulled back into a single braid, and she’s dressed in cargo pants and a black T-shirt that says “Nope” in white letters.

I really hope that T-shirt isn’t prophetic.

She leads the way into the barn, where it’s cool and dark. The air smells earthy and sweet, a combination of fresh-cut hay, molasses, and manure.

When she climbs up onto a stack of hay bales and sits, she’s at the perfect height for me to pull her close and wrap my arms around her hips.

She threads her fingers in my hair, which is currently up in a topknot. When she scrapes her nails over my scalp, I can’t help groaning.

“You like that?” she says just before she leans down to kiss me.

“You know I do.” I pull her closer and step between her thighs. When I look up at her and lock onto her crystal blue gaze, my chest heats. She mesmerizes me—she has ever since we first met. I thought the effect would gradually wear off, but it hasn’t. If anything, it’s grown more intense.

“Did you bring me out here to make out?”

I can’t help grinning. “Not exactly, although it is a good idea.” I bring her hand to my lips and kiss the back of it.

“Then why did you bring me out here? I know you’re up to something.”

I gaze down at the engagement ring on her finger. “I have an idea.”

“And what’s that?”

“Marry me.”

“Jonah.” She sighs in exasperation because I’ve asked her to marry me a thousand times, and she’s said yes a thousand times. The problem is, she won’t commit to a date.

I know Lia. She hates the idea of getting dressed up and standing in front of a room full of people. She hates the idea of being the center of attention, of having all those eyes on her. I thought if we decided to just do it—spontaneously—that she’d consider it.

I reach into my front pocket and pull out a slim gold wedding ring, which I hold up to her. “Marry me right here and now. This afternoon.”

Her eyes narrow with a mixture of confusion and skepticism. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Let’s get married this afternoon, right here at your brother’s house. Your family is already here. We have a captive audience. And you don’t have to do a thing but stand there and say I do.”

She rolls her eyes. “Get real. We can’t just do that.”

“Yes, we can. Cooper still has a valid license to perform weddings. We can walk in there right now, just as we are, and Cooper can say the words. Quick, simple, easy, done. We’ll be married before dinner.”

Her eyes narrow on me. “You’re serious.”

My heart pounds as I meet her gaze. “I’m dead serious, Lia.”

She narrows her eyes. “I don’t have to wear a dress or put on make-up or do anything fussy with my hair?”

I try hard to suppress my grin. “Right. You don’t have to do a thing. Come just as you are.”

Her eyes narrow shrewdly. “If I agree to do this, then you’ll finally stop asking.”

It’s not a question; it’s a conclusion. I nod. “That’s right.”

“Okay, fine. Anything to shut you up about it.” She slides off the hay bales, grabs my hand, and pulls me toward the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

As we walk back to the house, I grab my phone from my back pocket and shoot Cooper a text.

Jonah: She said yes! We’re doing it.

Cooper: It’s about damn time.

And then I chase after Lia, who’s moving like the hounds of hell are after her.

Lia beats me to the front door, but I catch up to her in the foyer. I grab her hand and pull her around to face me. “You do want this, right?” I ask, just to be sure. I know her snarky attitude is just a front, but I have to be sure. Yes, I’m pressuring her, but only because it’s the only way this is ever going to actually happen. I’d never force her to do something she doesn’t want to do. “I love you, Lia, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please tell me you feel the same.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Do you really think you could pressure me into doing something I don’t want to do?”

“Well, no.”

“Of course not.” She grabs my shirt and pulls me to her. “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.” And then she kisses me hard and fast. “Now let’s get this over with before I get cold feet.”

Smiling, I grab Lia’s hand and pull her to the great room, where most of her family is congregated. Most importantly, her parents are here. Bridget’s sitting with Annie and Sophie on a sofa, holding the twins. Calum is hanging out with the guys around the bar. They’re not drinking—it’s too early for that. But the bar is the de facto boys’ hangout.

“Listen up,” Lia says, drawing everyone’s attention.

I bring her hand to my mouth to kiss it, then release it so I can cross the room to Calum. When I reach him, I stand before him, look him in the eye, and say, “Mr. McIntyre, I’d like to request permission to marry your daughter.”

Calum’s gaze shoots over to his daughter. Bridget jumps to her feet, her expression a mixture of shock and excitement.

As Calum studies his youngest daughter for a very long moment, my pulse kicks into overdrive.

“Lia, is this what you want?” he asks her.

She nods.

Calum nods, looking almost relieved. “All right then.” He offers me his hand, and we shake. “Welcome to the family, son.”

The room explodes into action. Bridget and Sophie descend on Lia, hugging her.

From behind the bar, Cooper checks his watch. “It’s one-thirty. When are we doing this?”

“Right now,” I say, hoping to keep this train on track.

“We need time to get ready,” Bridget says, her gaze jumping from Lia to Sophie to Annie.

“We’re doing this now, Mom,” Lia says. “There’s nothing to get ready. That’s the whole point.”

Bridget lays her hands on Lia’s shoulders and pulls her closer. “Honey, this is your big day. You can’t just get married without doing a few things.”

Lia’s gaze narrows as she tenses. “Like what?” she asks. “And if you mention a dress, I’m leaving.”

Sophie laughs. “Well, how about a bouquet, at least? Surely we can come up with some flowers quickly.”

Lia shakes her head. “There’s no time. We’re doing this now, or not at all.”

My stomach sinks. I know the ladies are trying to be helpful, but if they’re not careful, they’re going to ruin the whole thing. The more time Lia has to fret over things, the likelier she is to call the whole thing off.

“Will you guys excuse us a minute?” Bridget says as she pulls Lia out the door into the foyer. Sophie and the other girls follow them.

Oh, man. Please don’t screw this up for me.