“Say yes. Say the white ribbon brought us together.”

My heart beat against my breastbone as I stared down at the coiled ribbon in my hand. When I looked up, his emerald stare was on me.

“Come, Miss McGrath, I require an answer.”

“If I say yes, is that my invitation to you?”

“Are you asking if the rest is up to me, if from now on I’m in control?”

I nodded, remembering what he’d said as he joined me in the bed.

“Do you regret following that rule in the cabin?”

“No, but even you said that rules have exceptions.”

“Not that one. My rule hasn’t changed.” He grinned. “That doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy your plays for power. Let’s see where this ribbon leads. Marry me.”

“Will I regret it?” I asked, recalling Van’s warning from before.

“Maybe.” When I didn’t respond, he added, “Less than you’d regret marrying Butler.” His eyebrows rose. “Your answer?”

It was the most insane thing I’d ever contemplated doing, and I’d contemplated more than a few less-than-sane things over my twenty-four years.

Seeing Van with my smaller hand in his, for the first time, I felt the flutter that was supposed to accompany this question. With his intense gaze shining down on me, it was only the two of us as it had been in that cabin. There was no large hall filled with people and no big presentation. My answer wouldn’t incite cheers and applause. No one would hear it except the man who proposed.

There wasn’t even a ring, only a white ribbon.

I closed my fingers around the ribbon. “Yes, Van, I’ll marry you.”

7. Julia

Julia

Van’s intense green gaze penetrated my thoughts, his spicy cologne tingled my senses, and his proximity sent energy through my circulation. I was on sensory overload as I stared down at the white ribbon, closed it within my fist, and closed my eyes. I turned toward the coolness of the window as the magnitude of the answer I’d given to Van settled within me much as a weight dragging me beneath the ice and into the depths of Lake Superior.

I’d only days earlier freed myself from a marriage commitment.

Despite Van’s presence, thoughts of Skylar and all that we’d planned ran circles in my mind, clouding my ability to think rationally. Beginning with our childhood, the memories of Skylar and me fast-forwarded to a few days ago. Never had our future been in question. Until it was.

Do I love him?

I thought I had, but never ever was I in love with Skylar. That revelation gave me strength to move forward.

Have I ever been in love?