She chuckled. “Our babies. Don’t forget there is that possibility.”
He smiled at the thought of that. “Yes, our babies. But mainly about the proposal.”
She nodded. “What about it?”
“I suggest we do another.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I don’t have any more land or another horse to bargain with.”
“A moot point, Mrs. Westmoreland. This time the stakes will be higher.”
“Mmm, what do you want?”
“Another baby pretty soon after this one.”
She chuckled again. “Don’t you know you never mention having more babies to a pregnant woman? But I’m glad to hear that you want a house filled with children because I do, too. You’ll make a wonderful father.”
“And you a beautiful mother.”
And then he kissed her with all the love in his heart, sealing yet another proposal and knowing the woman he held in his arms would be the love of his life for always.
SOLID SOUL
To Gerald Jackson, Sr., my husband and hero.
To my sons, Gerald and Brandon,
who constantly make me proud.
To my agent extraordinaire, Pattie Steele Perkins.
To my editor, Mavis Allen, who asked me
to be a part of the Kimani Romance line.
To my readers who have supported me
through forty books.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper
and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth.
—3 John 1:2
PROLOGUE
“MY MOM NEEDS TO GET a life!”
With a sigh of both anger and frustration, fifteen-year-old Tiffany Hagan dropped down into the chair next to her friend, Marcus Steele.
“I thought you said that the reason you and your mom moved here to Charlotte a few months ago was for a better life,” sixteen-year-old Marcus said after taking a huge bite of his hamburger as they sat in the school’s cafeteria.
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that’s what I thought, but now it seems that her idea of a better life is making mine miserable. Just because she got pregnant at sixteen doesn’t mean I’d go out and do the same thing. Yeah right! I don’t even have a boyfriend and if she keeps up her guard-dog mentality, I never will. She needs a life that doesn’t revolve around me.”
“Good luck in her getting one,” Marcus said, taking a sip of his soda. “My dad is the same way, maybe even worse. He’s so hell-bent on me making good grades and getting into an Ivy League college that I barely have time to breathe. If it weren’t for my three uncles I probably wouldn’t be playing football. Dad sees any extracurricular activities as a distraction.”
Tiffany shook her head in disgust. “Parents! They’re so controlling. Can’t they see that they’re smothering us?”
“Evidently not.”
“I wish there was some way that I could shift my mom’s attention off of me,” Tiffany said, unwrapping her sandwich. “If only she had another interest, like a boyfriend or something. Then she could get all wrapped up in him and give me some breathing space. I don’t remember her ever dating anyone.”
After taking another bite of his hamburger, Marcus said, “My dad has dated occasionally since my mom died seven years ago, and although I’m sure some of the women have tried, none of them holds his attention for long.”
Tiffany laughed. “Then he better not ever meet my mom. One look at her and he’ll be a goner for sure. I hate to brag but my mom is hot,” she said proudly.
“Hey, my dad doesn’t look too bad, either.” Marcus grinned. “Maybe we ought to get them together since it seems that neither of them has a life,” he added teasingly.
Tiffany was about to bite into her sandwich when Marcus’ suggestion sank in. A huge smile curved her lips. “Marcus, that’s it!”
He looked at her, baffled. “What’s it?”
“My mom and your dad. Both are single, good-looking and desperately in need of something to occupy their time besides us. Just think of the possibilities.”