Chapter Ten
The next whole day Jayson couldn't get Karen alone for a talk. The women had a spa day and Karen and Scarlett took turns to manage Austen. The men played a game of football at the field beyond the manicured gardens.
In the evening everyone was too exhausted and had an early dinner and retired to their rooms. Jayson knocked on Karen's door but no one answered. Checking closely, he found it locked from outside which meant that she wasn't in her room. He went in search of her. He found her in the same spot as yesterday, behind the pavilion, sitting on the bench beside the rushing brook, watching the gurgling waterfall.
"Hey, you didn't sleep?" He asked as he sat beside her.
"No, I missed talking to you. Thought you would be here," she said. His eyes lit up. His heartbeat faster than ever. She missed him? That meant she liked him. Maybe there was still hope. Maybe she would accept him and marry him.
"I missed you more," he said, his hand pushing a tendril of her hair behind her ear. She looked at him. He stared at her. Both of them were too lost into each other to notice the presence of Chase. He had forgotten his room keys at the pavilion when he came here last to check the preparations.
"And I missed you both," Chase said wickedly, grinning at the two of them. "Marry her already, dude."
"I've asked her to. She hasn't answered yet," said Jayson, smiling.
"Oh, really? Accept him Karen. He's the most sincere, loyal and honest guy you'll ever find in the whole world," said Chase. "I've known him for the last thirty years of my life. I would love to see him happy," said Chase, patting Jayson on the back and leaving.
Jayson nodded a thanks to his friend. He looked at Karen staring at him. "What?" He asked her.
She smiled looking down. Chase's words really had her thinking. Should she go ahead and accept his proposal? She liked him very much. The butterflies in her stomach always did a tango when he was near. She was all aroused and hot whenever he just kissed her. Maybe, he wasn't so bad after all. She didn't want to bother her brothers. Should she give it a chance with Jayson?
Jayson went closer to her. He placed his index finger under her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. "I won't ever leave you, Karen. Even after I get my company and even after our baby is born, we'll be together. Only if you want to leave me, I'll let you," he said but she could detect a sense of sadness in his tone.
She just nodded in understanding. She had made her decision. They walked back to their rooms to retire for the night.
The next day they had a pre-wedding get-together party. Karen and Scarlett every now and then took turns to look after Austen, disappearing into Scarlett's suite where the nursery was located. After lunch, Jayson was desperate to talk to her. Tomorrow was the wedding and he still didn't get his answer. The moment he saw Karen with baby Austen going to Scarlett's suite, he followed her. She sat down on the love seat and fed Austen the expressed milk that Scarlett gave her. Jayson came into the room and Karen looked up, surprised, "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I needed to talk to you, " he asked, sitting beside her as Austen turned his head to check who it was. "I'm waiting for my answer, Karen," he reminded her.
"Tomorrow," she said.
"Why not today?" He asked.
"Please don't rush it, Jayson. Let me think," she said and he got up abruptly and left. He was angry with her. Why was she being so difficult? He wouldn't ask anymore. He'd wait for her to come to him.
The next day was the wedding. The whole time Karen handled Austen as Scarlett got ready and then they all went to the pavilion together. Austen didn't leave Karen for a single minute and she didn't get any chance to talk to Jayson. She should have told him her decision yesterday but she was still thinking whether to inform her family or not. She couldn't tell them the actual facts but she would have to announce her plans to them.
After the wedding ceremony, Scarlett took Austen from her and she went to look for Jayson. She heard that he had gone out with one of the Summers brothers to buy some medicine for uncle Phil as he wasn't feeling well.
The reception party started and she went to her room to freshen up. When she joined the party the first dance was already over. As she walked to the bar for a drink, Jayson pulled her with him to the dance floor and then into his arms as he reached the dance floor. Slowly he swayed with her against him, closing his eyes to gather his scattered thoughts. He was a lawyer for God's sake. He never had to gather his thoughts this way while contending in the court yet this woman made him lose control.
Opening his eyes, he stared into her deep eyes, "What have you decided Karen? Will you accept my proposal? Will you marry me? You have only tonight to decide. From tomorrow, the proposal doesn't hold true," he said, putting pressure on her. He wanted her to accept his proposal, marry him and stay back in Travis Springs forever. He had been trying to convince her for the last four days yet she hadn't given him any answer.
She looked down and then after thinking for a moment said, "I'll accept. I'll marry you." Jayson felt relieved at her answer. He never failed in anything he set his eyes upon and she was the one that he wanted that too very badly.
"So, we will get married in a week. Is that ok with you?" He asked. He wouldn't take any chances. What if she changed her mind? "Tomorrow after we return, you'll move in with me." He ordered as Karen's eyes went round like saucers. Wasn't he on a rollercoaster ride? At this pace, she'd be pregnant tomorrow itself!
