Read Online Finding the Way Back (Book 1 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) by Erin Landy - Free Book Online

intoxicating scent of her skin, a familiar wave of longing went through him. “This is nice,” he said softly into her ear.
    “I was thinking the same thing,” she whispered.
    He gently turned her around to face him. “From the first moment when I turned my head and saw you sitting beside me, I’ve been drawn to you. Not only are you beautiful on the outside, but you also have a gentle and loving spirit to match.” Taking her hand, he went down on one knee. “I love you, Laurel, and I can’t imagine my life without you.” Drawing a tiny gold box from his pocket, he asked, “Will you marry me?”
    Her startled glance darted from the diamond ring resting on a bed of black velvet to his amazing eyes. What she saw there brought a look of unbridled enchantment to her face. “Oh, Colton; I love you, too, and the answer is yes.”
    As he slid the ring on her finger, he said, “I’m so glad you said yes. I would have felt silly not to mention terribly lonely living here by myself.”
    Laurel reluctantly took her eyes off her left hand. “You mean this is our actual apartment?”
    He nodded as he came to his feet and drew her close enough to feel the rapid beating of his heart. “I signed the lease this morning.”
    Laurel never got a chance to comment on his action. Colton teased her with kisses until she thought she might faint from the sweet pleasure of it. When he finally released her, he leaned his forehead against hers, his breathing as unsteady as her own. Laughing huskily, he said, “My mother was right to put Josh in the basement.”
    Her eyes fell to a point below his chin. “When you love someone, it can be difficult to wait.”
    His strong hands framed her face. “I’m willing to wait as long as you need to plan whatever type of wedding you want.”
    She smiled slowly. “Something tells me it won’t take very long.”

Chapter Four
    Something woke Laurel in the early morning hours. Colton was awake as he usually was at this time. Years of hospital work made it nearly impossible for him to sleep more than six hours at a time. She could see his adorable smile in the semi-darkness. He was propped up on one elbow watching her, his hair ruffled from sleep. Since their wedding night over a year ago, when he’d loved her with a passionate tenderness that left her shaken in his arms and more deeply in love with him than ever, they’d never been apart.
    “I have to leave soon,” he whispered regretfully.
    “I wish you didn’t have to go. Four days without you will seem like an eternity.”
    The sadness in her voice moved him. “I’ll call you every night and text you every chance I get.”
    “That’s not the same as being with you,” she pointed out.
    “Would it help if I took a later flight?”
    She slid closer to him. “Could you?”
    Instead of answering, he bent to kiss the creamy skin of her neck before moving to her mouth. He couldn’t leave her – not yet.
    * * * *
    As he backed out of the driveway, Colton wished Laurel had been able to come with him. The conference sessions he was interested in wouldn’t take the entire day; there would have been ample time to explore Nashville or just hang around at the hotel. It definitely wouldn’t be as enjoyable a trip without her.
    Her disappointment in not being able to accompany him rivaled his own, but as the sponsor for the drama club, she couldn’t be absent from the annual Christmas play. Laurel took her commitment to the students in her classes and after-school activities seriously. This quality of selflessness was one of the many things he loved about her.
    A reminiscent smile touched his lips as he recalled her reluctance to let him leave. When Laurel was in his arms, Colton didn’t care about anything else. He loved her so much it frightened him sometimes. He’d never thought his happiness would become so dependent on someone else.
    * * * *
    Thanks to that later flight, Colton barely made it to the hotel before registration for the