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Woods

Della had opened up more than I expected to Nile and his fahters They had been drawn to her, too Watching it had been heartbreaking and a all at the same tiood ht He had watched Della and his girls, too The pleased look on his face was hard to ht never be someone that Della considered a father but I had hopes that she would forht she needed it

"Tell ht of Nile and his family," Della said as alked into the house She had been quiet on the ride back and I had left her alone with her thoughts It was a lot to process without s out of her

"I think he's a good irls are well-adjusted and they are fascinated with you"

Della grinned as she slipped off her heels "I liked the girls Each one was so different It was like they made this one complete person I wonder what it must be like to know you have so you can make snide comments and even push and shove but they'll love you when the rest of the world is against you"

I walked over and wrapped my arms around her from behind "I'm always on your side You can push and shove---hell, you can even slap ht here, ready to face the world with you"

Della leaned back against rowing up Having a sibling to stand in your corner"

I understood what she irl as so alone in dealing with a mother asn't there mentally "You did find Braden"

"Braden found ht She was always inyou have her She loves you alhed "Don't let her hear you say that She'll fight you for that title"

I wondered what Braden would do when I asked Della to rill me? Make sure my intention was to treat her like a princess? I had no doubt I'd hear froht time

I loved Della and I knew no one would ever take her place in e also meant a commitment that scared me I'd been ready to ask her before she left me Now I kne quickly she could rip my world out from under me Could I handle that kind of pain if she wereher back Having a Della who didn't wake up screa and one I didn't worry about all the tiether

"I love you more," I replied And Iher to marry me That was my roadblock I loved her hts and Della stepped out of my arms to look back at et it"

Jace was pacing back and forth on my front porch when I opened the door His head snapped up when he sawThis o me from the other end of the hallway

"Looks like Jace needs to talk We'll be out here if you need me," I told her

A worried frown pinched her forehead but she nodded "Okay"

I closed the door behind me and watched as Jace continued to pace

"What's wrong with Bethy?" I asked I knew that was the only thing that could get him to pace like aand shoved his hands in his pockets "She'sShe wanted to get married I mentioned it to her and she wanted to But she's started to act different lately So I dropped the o crazy But she's just getting worse Hell, as I supposed to do? I can't get married if she's not ready I sure as hell can't ask her I don't knohat I was thinking Just because Rush and Blaire are playing house doesn'tto be here a while I could tell by the frantic tone in Jace's voice I sat down in the swing "So you've changed your ? Sounds like it scared Bethy anyway Maybe you two needa couple"