Drew caught her eye and she shook her head, wiping a tear away with a trembling finger. Her pulse stuttered as his eyes never left hers.
He let go of her hand, knelt down on one knee, and held up the largest diamond ring Piper had ever seen. Tears spilled onto her cheeks and she covered her mouth, her heart drumming, drumming, drumming.
He looked up at her, his eyes warm. “Piper Robinson, I am completely in love with you. You’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.” His eyes held a question and Piper caught her breath.
“Will you marry me?”
She dropped her hands from her face, her heart bursting as she looked at this man she’d grown to love so much. She nodded vigorously before the word burst out of her. “Yes!”
His eyes glistened as he jumped up and grabbed her in a hug. The doors to the bank opened and everyone poured out, cheering and taking pictures. Piper laughed as Drew swung her around, giving her wings to fly. He set her down and slid the ring on her finger before gently cradling the side of her face, both of them oblivious to the cheers.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.” You have no idea how much. She wrapped her hands behind his neck, running her fingers through his dark hair.
He grinned and pulled her closer, capturing her mouth with his. They kissed until the crowd gave cheers and catcalls. Then they smiled against each other’s lips and he dipped her for the crowd, earning more applause. When everything settled down and all the hugs had been given and well wishes made, Drew walked Piper back to her car, keeping a tight hold of her hand.
“Do you like the ring?” he asked. “I wanted it to be a surprise, but if you’d rather pick one out yourself, I don’t mind.”
She held up her left hand, still shocked at the dazzling rock on her finger. Savannah had nearly fainted when she saw it. Piper glanced sideways at him. “It’s gorgeous! And I love it . . . but,” she hesitated, “this must have cost a fortune. I don’t need anything so expensive.”
He tilted his head, searching her eyes. “Is it only the cost you’re worried about?”
“Yes.” She bit her lip. She adored the ring, but she didn’t want to start their marriage off in debt to pay for it.
His mouth twitched. “Don’t worry about the cost. If you’re happy with it, it’s yours.”
She kissed his cheek. “I love it.” She would talk him into taking it back later, but for now, it was fun to see it sparkling on her left hand.
“We can set the date for whenever you want,” he said as they neared her car. “I thought you’d probably want to wait until your dad is recovered enough to attend the wedding.”
“Definitely.” She put her head on his shoulder, touched he would think of that. Her dad had had a successful liver transplant but would take a while getting back on his feet. He and her mom had turned a new leaf, staying sober and taking a new lease on life ever since he’d come so close to losing it.
She shook her head slightly. “I wish I knew who the sponsor was so I could invite him or her to the wedding.”
He gave a low chuckle. “I think that can be arranged.”
She froze and turned to stare at him. “What do you mean? You found out who it is?”
The mischievous glint was back. “Possibly.” He put his hands around her waist, drawing her in. “What’s it worth to you to find out?” he whispered, nuzzling her neck.
She put her hands on his chest, forcing him to look at her. “Drew, don’t toy with me—you really know?” Her lungs squeezed in hopeful anticipation.
He nodded slowly, his eyes brimming. “Did you check your receipt?” he asked.
She blinked. “What receipt?”
He slid his hands into his pockets. “The one in the tube with the ring.”
She frowned, confused by this line of questioning. “No, I was too distracted by the ring box.”
He dipped his chin, one side of his mouth quirking up. “You might want to check it now.”
Confusion creased her brow, but she shrugged. “Okay.”
He reached in through her open car window and handed her the tube. Piper took it from him, smiling in spite of herself. “You’re enjoying this too much. What’s going on?” She reached in and pulled out the piece of paper, glancing at the numbers. Her heart stopped.
The amount on the receipt showed that her checking account had a balance of ten million dollars. She swallowed and raised her eyes to his, her mouth gaping. “Drew, is this some kind of joke?” She felt the blood drain from her face. “Please don’t tell me you robbed the bank.”
He laughed and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t worry, I didn’t commit any crimes. It’s just another surprise.”
“That’s some surprise.” Her heart pounded and she shook her head, still trying to process the amount in her bank account. Her legs wobbled and he frowned, tightening his grip.
“Maybe you’d better sit down for this one.”
“Good idea.” She continued to gawk at him, her mind spinning as he opened her car door and helped her into the driver’s seat. Had he won the lottery?
He crouched down next to her. “I haven’t been completely honest with you, but if you’ll hear me out, I’ll explain why.”
She nodded, feeling numb.
He took her hand. “My full name is Andrew Carson Livingston III.” He watched intently for her reaction.
She blinked several times. “Y-you’re related to Margaret?” she stammered.
“She’s my grandmother.” He ran his thumb over her knuckles, his eyes tight.
She released the breath she’d been holding, trying to make sense of it, and then shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered.
His face was earnest. “I don’t blame you if you’re mad. I would have told you sooner,” he closed his eyes, “so many times I wanted to tell you. But Olivia and I stand to inherit a lot of money.” He opened his eyes again, holding her gaze. “Before we inherit, Gran wanted to make sure we each found someone who loved us for who we are. Not for our wealth.”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “It was imperative you didn’t know about the inheritance until after I proposed, otherwise I wouldn’t see a penny.” He shook his head in apology. “I know this is a lot to process, and if you need time, I’m willing to give it to you. As much as you need.” He searched her face, his brown eyes pleading. “Just, please don’t leave, okay? With or without the money, I want you with me. Always.”
Piper gaped at him. “Wow.” She turned and stared out the windshield, putting her free hand to her forehead. “I mean . . . wow.”
“I know.”
She shook her head, staring at nothing. “So many things make sense now.” His close relationship with Margaret, his question about whether she could love him even if he couldn’t offer her wealth and luxury. All the pieces were falling into place.
“Piper? Are you okay?”
She turned to him and blinked, an insane impulse to laugh bubbling in her throat. “Why wouldn’t I be? I mean, my fiancé just told me he’s about to be a billionaire—stuff like that happens all the time, right?” A noise that was a mix between a giggle and a squeak escaped and she covered her mouth. Drew looked at her in concern, which only made more giggles erupt. Soon she was laughing uncontrollably, holding her sides until they ached. Drew’s eyes held uncertainty.
“Does this mean you forgive me?”
Piper laughed once more, drying tears as her face straightened. “That depends. Is there anything else you haven’t told me?”
He quickly shook his head. “That’s it,” he assured her. “The only thing I held back was my last name—and the fact that one day I’ll own this bank.” He gave a small laugh. “A lot of banks, actually.”
She stared out the window, and then slowly turned to face him. “It was you this whole time. You’re the sponsor.”
He gave a guilty shrug and tilted his head. “But if you remember, I didn’t lie about that. Just avoided the quest
ion.”
Before he could say another word, she grabbed him in a fierce hug. “You saved my dad’s life.” Tears pooled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.
He sighed and held her tight. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”
“Of course.” She pulled back, jabbing a finger in his chest. “As long as you promise to be completely honest with me from here on out.”
He nodded, his expression earnest. “You have my word. No more secrets from here on out—unless it’s a surprise. You know there’s no stopping me with those.”
She blew out a breath. “As long as they’re not as big as the one you just gave me. I’m not sure my heart could take a shock like that again.”
He chuckled. “Deal.”
She smiled and wiped tears away with the back of her hand. “Wait until my friends hear about this. I guess I finally won Boardwalk.” She laughed again, shaking her head.
One corner of his mouth lifted. “I guess you did.” His face turned thoughtful. “I’m planning to buy Briarwood from Gran. Do you think you could like it there as much as Boardwalk or Park Place?” he teased.
She lifted a shoulder. “I think I could manage.” He knew how much she adored Briarwood. The thought that it would someday be her home made her head spin.
“Gran and I talked it over. We bought some property and started construction on a new lodge,” he said. “One big enough for the community to use for weddings and special events.”
Piper’s jaw dropped. “You were behind that project? I wondered what Margaret was doing, building a huge structure like that.”
He shrugged. “I like weddings, but after we’re married I don’t want to share our house with anyone but you.” He toyed with a piece of her long auburn hair, his eyes smoldering as he slowly leaned in.
Another happy tear slid down her cheek. “Lucky me,” she murmured, smiling as her mouth met his and tingles coursed through her.
Lucky, lucky me.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Holly Stevenson is a romantic at heart. She loves to read, eat out, watch movies, and spend time with family and friends. As a former flight attendant, she has plenty of traveling hours under her belt, but never tires of exploring new places. One of her favorite pastimes is researching potential vacation spots.
Holly also enjoys being near water, and has a weakness for any combination of chocolate and caramel. She rarely sleeps in, preferring the early morning quiet to accommodate her incurable writing addiction. She is blessed to live with her favorite people: her husband and four kids, in a house overlooking the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
To learn more about Holly, and to get her FREE book, please visit her website: https://authorhollystevenson.com/
Lucky You (Pine Ridge Romance Book 1) Page 17