Glenna leaned toward Naomi. “Are you alright?”
Broderick’s sister looked up, her face smoothing. “Yes, just preoccupied.” She set aside her tablet, and reached into the baby swing to scoop up Fleur. “Come here to Aunt Naomi.”
“You’re a natural with her.”
Naomi shook a fuzzy bear rattle in front of the infant’s face. “I love babies.”
Glenna hesitated to mention children further. She understood too well how sensitive fertility issues could be. Broderick had told her about Naomi’s cancer battle as a teen, and how Naomi’s eggs had been frozen for a possible in vitro fertilization procedure later. What a traumatic thing for a teen to have to think about. “Well, Fleur definitely adores Aunt Naomi.”
Naomi leaned her forehead to the baby’s, then gave Fleur the gentlest nose to nose kiss. “I know people see me as a work hard, party hard type, but family is important to me. Much of my workaholic nature comes from wanting to pull my weight.”
“You’re invaluable to the company.” Glenna had never seen anything to give her the impression that Naomi was a wild child, but she’d heard the rumors. Sometimes, she knew, those labels could be unfairly earned.
Naomi’s dogged determination made her an indomitable attorney. They were lucky to have her on their side. Still, there was a flicker of insecurity on the woman’s face that surprised Glenna.
“I’ll feel better once I’ve figured out a way to land Royce Miller’s research for our company.”
Royce Miller? That was a lofty goal. The recluse’s oil industry inventions that melded efficiency with environmental safety were legendary—and much sought after by their competitors. “It would be a coup to land him—or even get a peek at his research. Of course, gaining access to even speak with him would be a good start.”
Behind them, the exterior door opened a moment before footsteps sounded on the tile. Fleur heard it too, her little face straining to turn toward the noise before Naomi shuffled sideways.
A moment later, Broderick stood in the doorway in his jacket and Stetson, a dusting of snow on his shoulders. His eyes locked on Glenna right away, an electric look passing between them before he swept off his Stetson. Her skin heated, anticipation curling her toes at just the sight of the man she loved. How was it possible he made her so breathless with just a simple look?
Naomi cleared her throat, standing with the baby in her arms. “Glenna, how about I take the little one and feed her a bottle. It’ll be good practice for…uh…one day. I imagine you two new parents could use some time alone.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Glenna asked without taking her eyes off Broderick’s.
Laughing softly, Naomi angled past. “I don’t mind at all.” She elbowed her brother on the way out. “Have fun.”
Glenna walked to Broderick and slipped her arms around his neck, breathing in his scent. “Did you have a good ride?”
“I sure did.” He skimmed a kiss along her mouth. “Although it would have been better with you along.”
His touch gave her butterflies.
“For a gruff businessman, you sure have turned into a romantic.”
“You bring out the best in me.” He swept his hand along her hair. “And I mean that.”
“Thank you. I do believe we were meant for each other.”
His smile made her senses tingle. He backed away, his fingers trailing down her arm. “I think it’s time we made this very official.”
She angled her head. “What do you mean?”
He dropped to one knee and pulled a ring box from his jacket pocket. “Glenna, I was going to take you out for a romantic meal, tonight—and I still want to do that. But when I looked into your eyes just now, I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Emotion swelled. Her hopes and happiness were all tied up in this man and their future together.
She pressed her hand to her heart, savoring every detail of the moment to keep it in her memory so she could relive it again and again. “The feeling is mutual.”
She wanted every day to be like this one, spent with Fleur and Broderick, surrounded by family.
A smile creased his sun-ruddied face. “Glenna, my love, my lover, my life, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
Her heart squeezed around the words. She dropped to her knees in front of him, clasping her hands around his holding the ring box. “Of course I will. I’m yours and I’m so glad you’re mine. Forever.”
He opened the ring box to reveal…a stunning canary yellow, square cut diamond. He slid it on her finger and she realized her fingers were trembling just a little. The ring was a perfect fit. Just like their love.