“You’re in sandals—not the best jogging shoes.”
“Look, I know it’s weird. But just trust me… it’s what I remember. I don’t know why I went running.” She laid a hand on his chest. “I don’t know why I came here, but I’m glad I did if you’re okay.”
“Aubrey…” Suspicion faded from his eyes, replaced by warmth. He tugged her into his arms, and she went. She didn’t even mind the bulletproof vest. This was exactly where she wanted to be.
“I’m sorry I don’t remember more.” I’m sorry I have to lie so you don’t think I’m insane. But would they believe that a vagabond prophet sent her to save the day? She wouldn’t in their place. Price was fine and that was all that mattered. She’d play the amnesiac if she had to. Maybe on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, she’d tell him the truth about what happened today. Fifty sounded like a nice round number to her.
“I love you, Aubrey.”
“I love you too.” Taking a breath, she pulled back to look him in the eyes. She loved the way they crinkled at the corners when he smiled at her. “Price—”
“Yeah, sugar?”
“Will you marry me?”
He blinked. “Yes.”
“That’s it?”
“What’s it?”
“Just yes? No questions or doubts or… anything?” He’d been saying he wanted to marry her since their first date—or was it technically their second date? She had no idea—but after more time around her, she’d figured he’d need some serious convincing. Scott had—she shut down that line of thinking. If there was one thing she knew, it was that Scott would never be a fraction of the man Price was. No more comparing them.
“Not one.” He slid his fingers into the pocket of his slacks and pulled out a ring with a sapphire surrounded by diamonds. “I’ve been carrying this thing around for weeks.” He grinned, and it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. “We should get married in the park, what do you think?”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and all she could do was nod. He slid the ring on her finger and then lifted her hand to his lips, turned it over, and kissed her palm. “I love you.”
“I know it.” He smiled. “I love you too, sugar.”
And she believed him.
She had to thank Jericho.
Price wanted her to go back to his place and wait for him there. She would, but not until she tracked down Jericho and thanked him up one side and down the other. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead when she thought about what might have happened to Price if Jericho hadn’t sent her to save him. Where was he? Jericho was always sitting on the park bench across from her coffee shop. Always. His butt had been glued there for months now.
She jogged up to the bench to find his sign leaning up against it. But no Jericho. Shading her eyes, she looked up and down the block. Maybe he needed to use the john, and he’d be right back. Fifteen minutes later, she was sitting in his usual spot. Nothing. He was never away from the bench this long, and a twist of worry cramped her belly. Where was he? Glancing down at the sign, she saw a hand-written note scrawled in the corner. What the hell?
Picking up the sign, she brought it up to her nose so she could read it. Underneath the huge words “The End is Near” was Gone to save another lost soul, Your Guardian Angel.
She choked on a laugh, but for the third time in one day, she believed.