"A lot," though painful, the direct approach was necessary. She needed to get a better picture of what she was up against.

Another deep breath, and Carrie looked at the lake again. Ben reached across the table and took her hand, "Baby, I'm sorry."

She shrugged again and shook her head. "Not your fault. I just ... I'm not sure what to do." She gestured toward the notebook, "The books are just as bad. I think we're broke, or almost there." Once again, she shook her head in disbelief and shrugged at her lack of answers.

He took her other hand in his and rubbed the back of her hands with his thumbs. He wanted her to feel him, to know he was there with her. "You need to think about selling this place." She pulled her hands back, and stood and walked away from him to lean against the kitchen counter.

"You don't understand. This is the Callahan's whole life. It would kill them if I sold it out from under them. Their dream is for their grandchildren to have this, to live here, to benefit from all their hard work."

He walked over and stood close, in front of her, "Carrie, they've given you an impossible task. Even if Nick was here ... it's too much. They're not even here, trying to make it work." She tried to turn away from him, but he moved in a little closer, trapping her between himself and the counter. "The land and the buildings have some worth. The kids can have that, after you sell it."

Her heart was pounding, he could feel it in the pulse on her wrist as he took her hands. He was asking her to betray someone, someone who had cared for her and been there for her. It was completely against her nature.

"Will you think about it?"

She shrugged, "But, this is my home too. My kid's home."

"You'd have enough to get another here at the lake ... or ..." He planted the seed and waited for her reaction.

She narrowed her eyes at him, questioning where he was going with this train of thought. "I know we've only been together for a week and a half, but even before I got here ..." He stopped, then tried again, "When I got the letter about Nick, my heart broke for you, but I'm not going to lie, I also saw a chance," he lifted her chin so he was looking her in the eyes, "I saw a chance to fix the biggest mistake I've ever made." He got down on one knee before her and looked up.

"Carrie, I don't have a ring, yet, and I don't know where I am going next, but ... would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

She looked lost and a little dizzy. Springing this on her in addition to all the stuff about the resort may not have been the best plan, but he couldn't wait any longer.

"I'm supposed to contact my CO tomorrow and let him know what I've decided to do ... well, what you've, or hopefully, we've decided to do."

Carrie shook her head hard to clear away some of the confusion, "I don't understand. You've got Ranger School." "My mom told you," he smiled at how much they confided in each other. "For now, no."

"You're not going to Ranger school?" "I had a spot, but I told my CO that I needed to come here first; that I needed to see you and see if we were going to be together. I can possibly go next year, but it's just not as important right now; not as important as you."

"You gave up Ranger School for me?" she didn't try to hide her shock and anger. She let her head fall in her hands, "Ben, no!"

He rested his head on hers, "Yes, and I didn't give it up, I just realized what's more important to me. You, are my first priority. If you say yes, if you'll marry me, then we need to make plans, together. So, will you? Marry me?"

She looked up at his eyes, rock solid as ever, but now pleading, hoping, and she nodded. She couldn't speak. Her wall had crumbled again. She was crying again.

Ben pulled her onto his lap and rubbed her back.

"Yes. Yes, I'll marry you, but you have to promise me one thing."

"What?"

"You will stop doing stuff that makes me cry. I swear. It's you ..."

He smiled at her joke, "I'll try." Then he brought her lips to his and poured all the love he felt for her into a kiss. He was hers. It was just starting to sink in. She didn't need to try to hold on to her lightning in a bottle. Her dream, the one that was too brilliant, too much for her to ask for, was hers. She'd found where she belonged, with Ben.

Word of mouth is crucial for an author to succeed. If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review at Amazon and/or Goodreads. Even if only a star rating or a few lines, it would be greatly appreciated.

Amazon:.

www.amazon.com/dp/B00IN8ZDJO.

Goodreads: Goodreads: burnouts-geeks-and-jesus-freaks.

The story continues in . . . .

Catch You If You Fall.

Now available through Amazon.

Click.

HERE to learn more about MG & Steve's love story. And Coming Fall, 2016.

Fearless Flying.

The Vivienne Series- book 1.

An amazing job, check.

An adorable apartment, check.

A super supportive best friend, check.

There's only one thing missing from Vivienne Ramsey's perfect life... And after ten years of waiting the time is finally right for her to seduce her dream man. Tonight she's going to wear Danny out in bed until he dies a happy man. But before she can begin her carefully crafted strategy of seduction he's headed for the door. And for once in her over-organized life Vivienne doesn't have a back-up plan.

If he had only read the memo about his part in her happily-ever-after. Fearless Flying, book 1 of The Vivienne Series, introduces a working-girl, chicklit heroine for the new millennium. She's smart, sexy, funny and definitely not afraid to go after the life she wants.

One determined woman, one exceptional career, one uncommon happy ending.

I want you to get to know Vivienne so I'm offering you a FREEcopy of "Fearless Flying". Click here or go to KarenGordonAuthor.com and tell me where to send your book.

If you like my writing, let's keep in touch.

Join my tribe of smart, sexy readers.

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Acknowledgements.

I would like to thank so many people who have helped me bring this story to you. I have to start with Kay, Marybeth, Jackie and Denise who made my high school years worth remembering and worth writing about. Dave, who inspired so many great stories (from so many girls). My sorority sisters, who were my partners in crime for too many lame-brained schemes.

The Beta Babes (Kay, Marybeth, Chrissy, Christine, Chris, Margaux, Megan, Natalie, Denisha, Rita and Lindsey) who read the rough draft for me and point me in a better direction when I'm lost. Chrissy Hooker, Editorial Goddess, who tirelessly rereads and then listens to me prattle on about marketing and reviews and the next book(s). Alex Stargazer, the only other member of our writers gang (we still need a gang sign) who is letting me share this cool indie publishing adventure with him.

To my fantastic cover designers Kitten at Deranged Doctor Designs (Burnouts, Geeks & Jesus Freaks: a love story) and Rebecca Berto from Berto Designs (Suburban Love Song). Thank you for making me look so good and bringing Ben and Carrie to life.

A special thank you to Kristen Noel from Pretty Little Pages for all her encouragement and support of me as an indie author. To Whitney G, the best mentor an indie author could ever dream of-I'm going to name a kid after you, I swear. To all the Pay It Forward authors, you are my tribe, my peeps and I couldn't do this author/business thing without you. Finally, TY to the three amazing, sweet, kewl, cute geeky guys who are the reason I do everything. I love you Doug, Beau and Cole.

About the Author.

Karen Gordon is an indie author who loves supporting strong and sexy women in fiction and in real life. Born and raised in St. Charles, Missouri, she found her love of extraordinary stories about ordinary places by finding excitement in mundane suburbia. Although she currently writes romance and chick lit, you never know what she might do next. (You'll never find a woman-hating, bad-boy hero though.).

She currently lives with the loves of her life, three very cool geeky men and one perfect puppy, just outside of Memphis, TN.

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