Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [89]
“Yes, I’ll definitely do that.”
Across the room Jada stood with Rome’s hand in hers. After a three-day hospital stay she was given a clean bill of health. She had been completely overwhelmed by all the love and attention Rome’s family had lavished upon her, especially his mother. The older woman had made her feel special, and his brothers were super, too, welcoming her into the family although she hadn’t given Rome her answer yet. She knew he wanted to marry her but she had to be sure he was doing it for love and not pity.
“You’re not getting tired, are you?” Rome leaned down and asked her. He hadn’t once left her side. If the truth were known, he hadn’t left her side at all since she’d been rescued. During those rare times that he had, he had planted his mother right there to be with her. And at night he stayed at her place, sleeping on the sofa.
“No, I’m fine. You don’t have to hang around me, Rome. You can go mingle if you’d like.”
“I don’t want to mingle. I want to stay right here with you.”
She smiled up at him. “Thanks.”
At that moment Netherland came up. “Rome, can I borrow Jada for a second?” Without giving him a chance to respond, Netherland locked Jada’s arms with hers and pulled her away from her brother’s side, ignoring his frown. When they were a safe distance away, she turned to Jada, smiling. “I thought I’d rescue you. Rome is determined to be your shadow.”
Jada shook her head, grinning. “I don’t mind.”
“Well, you should,” Netherland admonished her. “He shouldn’t be suffocating you like that, you’re among friends.”
Jada glanced around the room. “Yes, I am, aren’t I?” She had been told of everyone’s involvement in her rescue, even people she had never met before. However, when they had been needed, these people had come through for her. And they were still coming through. Because of what he’d done to Clayton Madaris, as well as her own abduction, another twenty years had been added to Tony’s sentence. And those who’d assisted in his escape were being dealt with.
“So what do you think of joining the Kalloren family? I know Rome has asked you to marry him.”
“Yes, he has.” She gave Netherland a quick glance. “Would you mind if I did?”
Netherland chuckled. “Heck no. I’d probably mind if you didn’t. Almost losing you nearly destroyed him, Jada. He loves you very much.”
Jada glanced across the room at Rome. He was staring at her, still trying to keep her within his sight. She was deeply touched to have someone care for her that much. “And I love him, too, Nettie. During the entire time I was in the Hollow I swore if I lived to see him again I would tell him how I felt.”
“And have you?”
“No.”
“Then I think he deserves to know, don’t you?”
“I thought he had done everything out of pity, and I didn’t want that.”
“Everything Rome has done, he did out of love, Jada. He fell in love with you the moment he set eyes on you. Take it from someone who fought love for three years. Don’t waste your time fighting it. It’s a precious gift not to be taken lightly.”
Jada nodded. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you for making Rome happy again.” She then watched as Jada walked back to Rome’s side and took his hand in hers. Leaning on tiptoe, Jada whispered something to him. Whatever she said brought a huge smile to her brother’s face. He gathered Jada into his arms and kissed her. Netherland couldn’t help but smile at the couple’s happiness.
“What are you smiling about?” Ashton asked, appearing at her side.
“Jada and Rome. I think she’ll be accepting his marriage proposal after all.”
Ashton nodded. “That’s good. And by the way, Rainey told me to let you know she decided to leave early to spend a little more time with Howard before he returned to Chicago.”
Netherland nodded. She suspected love was blooming between that couple, as well.
“I never got all seven of my days with you, Mrs. Sinclair. We only made it to five. We have two left. How ’bout we go home, pack and take off for Oklahoma?”
“Tonight?”
“Yes, tonight.”
Netherland lifted a brow. She had given Rainey the coming