Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
"W-What is it?"
"Are you sure you want to hear this?"
Vixen blinked at him. "Why wouldn't I want to hear this?"
"Because you might find yourself falling even more in love with me—-"
Understanding dawned, and a blush stole over her cheeks even as Vixen released a shaken laugh.
"Should I still say it then?"
Vixen nodded even as the color of her cheeks deepened.
"Are you ready?"
"Oh, Rule—-"
He cupped her face. "We can pray for her."
"Oh, Rule."
Epilogue
VIXEN FOUND HERSELF absently humming a Christmas tune while going through her mail. Bills, marketing, bills, bills, and oh!
The last one was a Christmas card from Gabriel and Mairy, and her lips twitched when she saw how they had addressed her.
Dear Matchmaker,
We thought we'd return the favor through Rule.
Love,
Your first unexpected success...but hopefully not your last.
Vixen burst into laughter after reading their note. It had been a while since she last made any attempt at matchmaking. Why is that, God? Could it be that this was also His way of lovingly telling her that she, well, sucked at it?
Surely not, God!
Right?
Her Heavenly Father used His perfect timing to distract her from gaining a reply, with Rule walking inside the cafe at that moment.
And she was distracted, since Rule happened to be carrying a huge box in his hands. "Uh...what's that?"
Rule crouched down and lowered the box to the floor. "Care to make a guess?"
Vixen brightened. She loved guessing games, never mind if she always somehow ended up endangering her life in the process. "Are they...devotional books from The Chosen?"
"I haven't any idea what those are."
Vixen clucked her tongue. "You're missing out then."
"Care to make another guess?"
"Signed copies of Bold Pursuit?"
"Still have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, wait! I know, I know. Coffee table books from Bible Project—-"
"How about you just open this and see for yourself?"
A crooked smile flashed over his lips as he spoke, and even though they had been going out for over four months already, she was still unable to get enough of it. How beautiful this man was in her eyes, and she was just so, so thankful to God for choosing Rule to be—-
"Vixen?"
Color stained her cheeks when she realized she had been too busy daydreaming even when the real deal was standing right in front of her.
"Everything alright?"
"Yup!" Yes, she had just done something ridiculously silly, but that didn't mean she wasn't fine.
Right?
Vixen grabbed the letter opener from one of her standing wired cases. Rule had invited her earlier to open his package, and so she would prove to him (and herself) that everything was fine by doing just that.
She lifted her hand...but ended up having Rule swipe the letter opener out of her hold instead.
Huh?
Vixen's gaze flew to him in confusion. "Why did you do that?"
"We have fragile items inside," Rule drawled. "We can't afford to have you nick any of them."
Vixen dropped the letter opener back into the case. Rule was right. It was better that she tore this open instead with her bare hands. The process might take longer, but it was also safer, and...oh.
"The shelter named him Hermit because he likes being alone."
Oh my goodness.
Vixen couldn't recall falling in love as quickly as she fell in love with Hermit, her all-black cat.
"You told me once you wanted to know if it was possible to care for both Salt and Light while also caring for a cat. Admittedly, that might've been a challenge for just one person, but when you also have us..."
"Oh, Rule."
"There's one more surprise—-"
What?
"But you'll only find out once you get Hermit out of the box."
Vixen's heart pounded as she carefully lifted Hermit out of the box, but she also felt like she was floating when Hermit purred out a greeting as soon as their gazes met.
Oh, you handsome, handsome boy!
"I'll need you to stay here—-" Vixen lowered Hermit to her lap. "While I check what else—-"
Oh.
Vixen didn't just feel like she was floating. This time, she felt as if she was flying as she watched Rule reach for the jewelry box...before going down on bended knee.
He flipped it open, and Vixen's gaze turned blurry.
"Will you marry me, love?"
With her sobs making speech impossible, all she could do was look into his eyes.
Yes, oh, yes.
And as Rule slowly slid the ring down her finger—-
Thank You, God. Thank You. Thank You.