Daddy’s Insatiable Little by Jess Winters
CHAPTER NINE
LOLA
The next day, Marcus brought me to a date in the park. He was supposed to go to work later that night, working the night shift for a few days while one of the other Sheriffs took time off to help his pregnant wife.
The day was gorgeous. There was not a single cloud in the sky, just sunshine and singing birds.
“This is beautiful,” I told him.
Marcus nodded.
He’d gotten dressed all fancy, and I wanted to tell him he looked cute in his tie and neatly pressed shirt, but I didn’t want to embarrass him.
We sat down next to the lake, which was also secluded. Marcus also told me this lake was typically isolated from others, aside from the occasional jogger or kayaker.
I stretched out on the grass while Marcus began unpacking the food.
“Are you okay, Daddy?” I asked.
“Why do you ask, baby girl?”
“I guess your hands just seemed like they were shaking a little. Is something wrong?”
I sat up, leaning on my elbows.
“Are you going to leave me and this is a really fancy way of saying it?”
He laughed harder than I’d ever heard him laugh before.
“Baby girl, of course not. I’m not going to leave you.”
“Kay,” I said happily. “Sorry Daddy, you had me nervous for a second.”
I stood and stretched, walked over to the side of the lake and peered at my reflection.
I was antsy. I’d gotten good sleep, but of course I wanted to run all over the place with my newfound energy, and time off from school.
Community college would be starting soon, and I’d be spending time away from Marcus. I didn’t want to, but I knew it would mean a lot to him—and my family—if I pursued my education.
When I turned around, what I saw next took my breath away.
Marcus was in front of me—kneeling, not standing, on one knee. He had a small jewelry box propped open, revealing a gorgeous diamond engagement ring set in a velvet lining.
“Lola, when we first met, I was flailing out in the world. I had no idea who I was, or whether I was going to find happiness in life. And then I met you, and you changed the way I see everything. I love you, so much.”
I was crying now, which was so embarrassing. Marcus didn’t know that about me yet, but I was a total romantic, and I always cried when I was happy.
I could only nod, sniffling and trying not to rub my runny nose on my hands too much.
“Would you do me the honor of staying by my side for the rest of my life?”
“Yes,” I said, hiccupping. “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry I’m crying so much.”
“Don’t apologize, baby girl. I’m happy that you’re happy—that you’re crying because you love me, not because you’re sad.”
I leaned into him and he picked me up, holding me tight in his arms.
“Of course I love you,” I whispered into his neck.
We stood like that for a few minutes, just silently embracing each other by the side of the lake.
Eventually, Marcus put me down and placed the ring on my finger. To my surprise, it fit perfectly.
“It’s beautiful,” I said. “I love it so much.”
“I’m so glad. I know it’s nothing like those rings you used to sell in the shop, but it’s the meaning behind it that counts, right?”
“I don’t care about the rings in the shop,” I said, letting the ring catch on rays of sunlight.
Marcus took my hand and led me back towards the blanket he had laid out.
We spent the rest of the day by the lake, eating and laughing. I focused on Marcus, of course, but I also couldn’t stop focusing on the ring. It was so perfect.
Looking up at the sky, I sent a silent wish that Marcus and I would stick by each other’s sides forever, through the thick and the thin of it.
