Falling for Ezra Thomas (Life With the Thomas Brothers #4)

24. Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ezra

The town house is absolute madness in the morning. One would think with one less brother in occupancy, it would quiet down a bit, but it only seems louder. And dirtier. Evidently, Beck was the one who kept things neat and tidy, and now that my twin is married to my best friend, the place has fallen into dormitory status in one day.

In less than an hour, my whole life might change again. Lorelai is on her way over for a date—a real one, in person, not via a letter—and I’m already feeling anxious and excited at the same time. I’m about to ask a woman who only recently decided she loves me to link her life to mine forever. It’s no small thing, and I’m starting to wonder how Beck was so brave.

“Hey, Rafe, can I borrow a pair of socks?” Mav is already halfway up the stairs before Rafe sighs.

“Sure, why not? Does no one else around here know how to do laundry?” Rafe shakes his head and heads into the kitchen. Lev chuckles while Silas packs a lunch before heading out for the ranch. I never would have pegged my brother as a rancher, but here he is, suntanned and muscled, spending his days learning under the watchful eye of Officer Baker.

I lean my head back and close my eyes for a moment, just a short snooze before facing my predicament head on. However, I no sooner shut my lids and Mav screams down the stairs. “Rafe! What is this?”

Rafe peeks out from the kitchen to glance up the stairs while the rest of us wait to see what drama our youngest brother is about to stir up.

“What is what?” Rafe asks and wipes his wet hands on his pants.

“Uh, this box with a giant diamond ring?”

“What?” Lev asks and his gaze bounces between Mav and Rafe.

“None of your business. Put it back where you got it, get socks, and get out of my stuff.” Rafe’s face reddens. He doesn’t get mad easily, but when he does the whole world knows about it. I fear Mav is about to incur the wrath of the quietest Thomas, but before I can intervene, Silas opens his big mouth.

“Was that for Luna?” He steps back when Rafe storms from the kitchen, grumbling.

“If it was anyone’s business, I would have told you. Let it drop.” His glare says it all. He’s not going to elaborate, and there is nothing we can do to convince him otherwise.

I can’t help wondering how many secrets we all keep from one another. We’re still close as ever, but lately there seems to be more secrets popping up, creating drama. But also paving the way for happiness. It’s almost a double-edged sword. Rafe’s reaction says a lot about how he feels about Luna, but he won’t elaborate on any of it. It’s his right, but Luna’s absence has left a hole in our hearts for several months now. I pray that seeing her at Viv and Beck’s wedding, and the dance they shared, rekindles what they once had.

Fortunately for Mav, the doorbell rings, distracting Rafe from murdering him. I groan and stand up, knowing it’s for me. Despite how much stronger I am, I’m still exhausted from training.

On the other side of the door is the most gorgeous woman in the world.

“Hi, you,” Lorelai says, her grin spread ear to ear. I’m about to step aside to let her in when Rafe and Mav start arguing. Lorelai bites her lip and peeks around me. “Uh, wanna go for a walk instead?”

“Yeah, better do that if we want some quiet time.” I grab a jacket and shut the door behind us. She doesn’t even make it down the front stairs before I grab her around the waist and kiss her. She smiles into the kiss.

“I can’t get used to this,” she admits.

I shrug and grin. “It’s not like we did a whole lot of kissing before I left.”

“I know but…it’s just…weird.”

I raise my eyebrows.

“Weird but I like it, my sweet soldier.”

“That’s what I thought. Gimme your hand, girlfriend of mine.” I snatch her hand and she giggles, forcing my heart into overdrive. I can’t believe I’m about to make another life-altering move, something that will once again change the trajectory of the future. Of course, it isn’t like this wasn’t the plan. I’ve known I want her since the moment I first kissed her, but this is more official. This is it.

“Any more news about Jacob?” she asks, inquiring about one of my newest, but closest friends.

“He sent me a message today. His girlfriend accepted his proposal.”

She squeals her delight. “Do you think you’ll end up in the same place? That would be so awesome. I’d love to meet Delilah.”

“There’s no telling, but it’s possible. Once I’m finished, they can send me anywhere, but the good thing is that we can have visitors. It’s not the same as basic training once I’m at my permanent station.” I know my tone is stilted and salesy, but I’m nervous. I don’t have any doubts she’ll marry me, but I worry what will happen when we leave Coldstone Creek and she misses her family and friends. But everything in my heart and soul tells me she’s the one, and that we can figure all the rest out together.

“Yeah, so, it’ll be up in the air a lot but at least I’ll have a permanent station soon,” I add.

Lorelai’s brow furrows. “You sound like you’re trying to make a pitch or convince me that you going to Ranger school is a good idea. We already talked about this, and I said I support you. I’m not going anywhere, Ez, even if they accept you and you get sent somewhere far away.”

“Well,” I say and lick my lips, pausing our walk. “See, I guess I kind of am making a pitch. I’m not positive where I’ll be sent, but there are a lot of places I can go where you can…you can come with me…if…I mean if you want to.” My voice wavers on the last few words, but only because her eyes get wider the longer I talk.

“Right. We talked about that, too. Are you okay?” She looks up at me, eyes narrowed. She’s right. I’m only repeating things we’ve already discussed. I nod, unable to vocalize anything at this point.

“I mean, I won’t have a job per se, so I’m not sure about getting a visa or something like that to even live wherever you go, but I’ll do my best to—”

“Lore,” I say and grasp her flailing hands. “Lore, I meant…as my wife. You’d live with me, and I would support us. You could work on your books if you want to, but it’s up to you.”

She’s quiet, and it takes me a moment to realize she’s utterly speechless. I’ve probably made a huge mistake, rushed things even faster than we’d discussed, and now she is questioning my sanity.

“Is that a proposal?” she asks.

I run my hands over my hair, which is a habit, but it feels so odd when it’s this short, and sigh. “Oh my gosh, I’m so bad at this.” I fish in my pocket and pull out the ring that Beck and Vivien picked out for me. I’ve seen it, stared at it until my eyes crossed, and I’m still certain this is what I want. I love her, and I want her to be my wife.

I kneel and take a breath.

“Lorelai, I know it’s only been a few months of completely untraditional dating, but I love you. I want to keep learning about you and build a life together. We don’t have to rush. We can plan and I can go to Ranger school, even to my station, and you can come when you’re ready. Whatever you want, I’m willing to do, but I would be so honored if you would agree to marry me.”

I completely suck at this. It’s not romantic at all. My voice cracks with emotion, and I can barely maintain eye contact with her. But her gaze softens and her lips curve into that beautiful smile that I think about every time things seem too hard. My hands shake while her gaze shifts from my face to the ring.

“Ezra,” she whispers and takes my hands in hers. “There was never any chance I would say no. I’ll marry you and go anywhere with you.”

I swallow. “So…you will?”

“Yes. We can have a quick wedding. You go where they tell you, I’ll pack our stuff, and when you get done and know where they’re sending you permanently, well…well, I guess we’ll go.”

“No regrets?”

“Never. I love you.”

I stand and slip the ring on her finger before taking her into a hug. She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me, reminding me that even things that seem too good to be true are possible even if they aren’t part of the original plan.

“Are you sure you don’t want to plan a wedding with your mother? Beck and Vivien’s was kind of great, but it’s up to you. I’m going to be happy to be your husband. The rest is just a party.”

“Mmm, I don’t think I want that. It was fun, but I think I’d rather have something really small. Just our families and a few friends. Maybe this fall or winter depending on your schedule. Is that okay?”

I grin and kiss her again, knowing I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

“It’s fine with me, but I have a question,” I say. “Who is going to tell your parents I might be dragging you to another state. Or worse, another country?”

“Pretty sure they know that since you already asked their permission to propose,” she says with an unmistakable glimmer in her eyes. She smiles and leans closer. “Dad was not quiet about his celebration when he got off the phone.”

“You were there when I called?”

“Hey, I was hungry, and it was free food. I’m not turning down my mother’s lasagna.”

“I can’t believe I stressed over this for weeks and you already knew. It wasn’t even a surprise. I’m so sorry, Lore.”

“I’m not. It gave me time to think about it and everything that comes along with marrying into the military. I’m ready. Let’s get married and start the rest of our lives.”