Wilting Roses (Formerly known as Arranged)

Sweet Winter Spring & Summer

Chapter Thirty Nine

The months had drifted away and with it the anger and pain they both had felt. Their relationship progressed and it grew stronger as the months drifted away. Dathan fell in love with Scarlett every day and there wasn't a moment when he doubted it. She in return had finally let go of all the anguish she had held for so long. Scarlett was able to move on, to find inner peace and start living.

Their courtship remained in the outskirts if the country side. Although they had often gone to the city for a stroll, Scarlett was still edgy to go repeatedly. Dathan understood this and never pushed or persisted that she get over what had happened. Cases with violent and torturous physical abuse such as she had endured were rare in the City of Harland.

Once news of the incident spread and the Worrall family learned of their sons actions behind his death, the mother had been one to drop all charges. There were things she did not speak of, things only she knew that had forced her hand to step off.

It had eased Scarlett somewhat to know that the law was not after her. Part of her was at ease and the other still awoke at night in cold sweat screaming for her life. The nightmares had become less frequent but all in all Drake was there to still torment her somehow.

Nevertheless, Dathan was there every step of the way. He had frequently visited her when the plantation did not keep him from coming. They had begun to invest in her property in hopes that maybe something good might grow from the two acres she had bought. There wasn't a day he did not tell her how much he loved her.

Part of him still needed to change, although all things had settled and gone back to normal; he still bumped heads with his father. He knew he needed to stop and listen to advise, and the other told him they were too much alike to stand one another. He had realized how much he resembled his father in almost every aspect.

Today Dathan rode his horse through the dirt road on his way to her home. There was something he had been longing to ask her. As his blue eyes looked to the tall vast trees forming a spherical shade above his head, he could not help but grin. Seven long months had gone by, he had followed his cousins advice, and waited. He gave her time to heal time to put herself back together along with their relationship.

Now that summer was at its full potential he could not see a moment more perfect. His heel lightly kicked the horse and the animal began to gallop, drawing nearer towards her home.

He felt nervous, he wasn't certain if she'd agree to his proposal. Scarlett had grown comfortable in her own home. What if she refused to leave it? His grip tightened on the reigns as he focused on the small two story home coming into view. Taking a deep breath Dathan began to recite his big speech feeling the words choke him as he said each one.

The only other woman he had ever proposed marriage to had gone off her nut. She had fallen victim to a flu and was now dying in a infirmary with no cure. He shook his head, refusing to think if that woman or the large part of his life he had wasted on her.

Instead, he focused on the task at hand. He was but a few feet away from reaching her home and he was nervous. Once he reached the small little stable he had built a month ago, he climbed off his horse and secured it. Brushing his hair, he adjusted his shirt and fixed his pants and boots.

"Right, I just need to calmly ask." He muttered to himself.

He approached the front porch and felt his heart skip a beat the moment he realized she stood behind the screen door. A smile was etched on her beautiful face as she lent casually against the open archway. Never in all his wildest dreams did he ever think that she would be the one to steal the very breath from him. Dathan had not only fallen in love with Scarlett because of her beauty, but because of the kind and tender soul that she was.

She was a woman that was considerate of others, and never took anything for granted. At times he wondered just how he had been so lucky to have had her love him. Scarlett could have chosen any other man but instead she chose him. The woman loved a challenge and he guessed that is what she had seen in him.

"You're rather early, I wasn't expecting you till the afternoon." She said. With open arms she greeted him. He in return embraced her and held her close while he kissed a tender peck on her lips.

"You will forever be the woman that haunts my dreams." He whispered, as he kissed her yet again.

Scarlett blushed as she looked down to his buttoned shirt, toying with it as she smiled. "You are without a doubt a romantic Dathan Heart." she whispered.

"I take it its a good thing? If you have taught me anything, is that a woman should be lavished and praised by the man who loves her." He replied. His fingers gently skimmed through her hair and he tenderly worshiped every aspect of her as she closed her eyes and enjoyed his touch.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked, her mind still hazy from the tender kisses and caresses.

"I'd like that," he said. Scarlett pulled away and led the way towards her kitchen, where Dathan stood at the threshold watching as she went about preparing him something to drink.

"I dream of the day when you and I can finally be together." He said. Scarlett turned to look at him, a hint of confusion in her almond eyes. It was then that she turned to face him, a cup dangling from her fingers.

"Are we not together?" she asked.

He pulled away from his casual position and took several steps towards her. The kitchen was not at all large. It was a tiny room where only a tub and stove fitted against the front wall. A cupboard arranged the dishes and a small table where she could go about preparing her meals laid to the left.

He stared at her for a long moment before biting down on his bottom lip; reaching into his pocket he pulled from it her old wedding band. He felt his palms sweat as he lifted his gaze to look at her. A blush tainted her cheeks as she dropped the cup in her hands.

"Will you marry me Scarlett?" he asked. He took a few more steps and stood before her, her eyes brimmed tears as he slowly knelt in front of her. He had prepared a big speech yet he had been a fool to think she would need one. Her mouth opened and closed as tears slipped endlessly from her eyes.

She reached a hand to her chest and a smile broke from her lips as she stared down to him. With tenderness she wrap her hands around his head and pressed it to her stomach. His arms encircled her waist and he closed his eyes as he felt her fingers run through his hair.

"I'd love nothing more than that." she whispered. His eyes opened and Dathan stared up to see that a bright grin covered her face. He held on to her hips as he pushed himself up and stood. Taking her face into his large hands he reeled her in for a hard kiss. Her fingers curled into his shirt and it was then that he lifted her and spun her once before placing the heart shaped diamond on her finger.

"We ride for the city, we must give the family the good news." he said.

"I love you, so very much," she said. Dathan smiled and held her close, there was nothing that could rob him of the happiest he had ever been. There was still the matter of moving but he would leave the issue for another time. For now he wanted to bask in the moment. Scarlett Worthington had agreed to be his wife, he had finally won her heart.