Free Just Beginning by Theresa Rizzo

She could.
    Tell him. Tell him now , an inner voice urged. He wants to marry you—he has a right to know. It’ll be okay; he loves you. He believes in unconditional love , the voice reminded.
    Jenny’s hands suddenly felt cold in his larger, warmer ones. Her gaze dropped to scrutinize his shirt button, peeking out from beneath the protection of his skewed silk tie. Unconditional love—for his children.
    She bit her lip, knowing that the love from a parent to a child was far different than this. Gabe had loved his children for eighteen years. They were a part of him—flesh of his flesh. Would he be so forgiving with a love he’d only had for mere months? She wanted to believe so.
    Besides, he respected and loved her honesty. How could she tell him she lived a lie? She couldn’t. She couldn’t bear to see regret and disillusionment cloud his eyes. He may still love her, but she couldn’t take that risk.
    She’d always had to earn love, and she was willing to work for Gabe’s. But if he knew about her past, she’d never have a chance. She’d lose his respect for sure, and she couldn’t live with that loss—another loss.
    “Jenny?” he prompted. “Don’t fall all over yourself accepting. I’m not sure my ego could take it.”
    Conscience prodding her, Jenny pulled out of his embrace. She couldn’t believe she was going to blow this, but she had to be fair—for his sake. Avoiding his earnest gaze, she looked down and wrapped taut arms over her nervous stomach.
    “Umm... I... I haven’t made very good decisions in the past.” She frowned and looked away.
    “I’ve made a few bad calls, too. Who hasn’t?”
    “I don’t trust my instincts anymore.”
    “Then trust mine.” Gabe moved closer until she could feel the heat from his body and smell his sexy cologne. He hooked a gentle finger beneath Jenny’s chin, lifting it until she met his warm gaze. “My instincts say you should marry me and we’ll be crazy happy together.”
    Jenny closed her eyes and pulled away. “But what if we’re not? What if I screw it up?” That was what she did. Jenny was a master at getting herself in trouble, and after all Gabe had been through, she couldn’t stand the thought of disappointing him. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “You won’t. You couldn’t.”
    Jenny’s eyes popped open, and she cocked her head. Oh, don’t challenge me that way . If only you knew .
    But it wasn’t a challenge. His unwavering stare spoke of confidence and sincerity. He had that much faith. He believed in her, in them. This wasn’t some spontaneous suggestion blurted out; Gabe seriously wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Her stomach quivered in excitement that he loved her that much.
    “Trust me.” He took her cold hands and warmed them between his. “Do I make you happy?”
    “Yes.”
    He paused, searching her face. “Do you love me?”
    She swallowed hard. With all my heart . “Yes.”
    His face lightened, but still he didn’t smile. He squeezed her hands. “Then marry me.”
    Could it really be that simple? He makes me happy. I love him . He loves me . Of course he made her happy, happier than she’d ever been. And she loved him more than anything. He believed in her. He completed her in a way no other could. In such a short time, he’d become so very important to her that she couldn’t imagine life without him. But could it really be that simple?
    Frightened to say the words aloud as if she’d jinx them if she did, Jenny looked at him and nodded.
    “Yes?” Widening eyes matched his emerging smile.
    She nodded again, grinning.
    “You’re sure? You’re not just marrying me for this fancy house on the lake and my car?”
    Her credit card balance and rent money problem flashed to mind, but Jenny promptly pushed those worries away. She’d get that waitress job and wouldn’t spend a cent until she’d paid off all her debts. She loved this man, and she was going to marry him.
    Jenny shook her head and