Karen Witemeyer Quote

You think I married you because I lost when we drew straws? He chuckled softly. Oh, Meri. Sweetheart. I won the straw draw. I didn’t lose it. She stared at him, not comprehending the difference. What are you saying? Travis grinned. When we sat around the table that night, we didn’t decide to draw straws because none of us wanted to marry you. We drew straws because all of us wanted to marry you. Meredith blinked up at her husband. Could it be true? Had she been a prize, not a chore? And I’ll tell you something else. He dipped his head and lowered his voice, his grin turning downright mischievous. But you gotta swear not to tell the others. She nodded. I rigged the contest. What? I made sure that I was the one who ended up with the short straw. Meredith’s pulse quickened. Why? Travis shrugged a bit, and if she didn’t know better, she could have sworn his skin pinkened a bit under his tan. At the time I told myself that you were my responsibility. That because of our previous encounter, I should be the one to marry you. A responsibility. Of course. Meredith forced her chin to stay raised and her back straight despite her yearning to curl up into a protective ball. But I was fooling myself. Travis’s gaze met hers, and she caught her breath. The way he looked at her, it was . . . was . . . Even then I was falling in love with you. It was love. I couldn’t stand the idea of one of my brothers marrying you. You belonged with me. I knew it. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew it. And over the last several weeks, I’ve only grown more sure. I love you, Meredith. I thank God every day for bringing you back into my life.