Finn's brothers had taken to her right away. Maybe it was because she could hold her own in a conversation about the "hotties" at the bar. Or maybe it was because they'd never had a little sister to tease before.
Whatever the reason, they looked at her with the love that only a brother could feel for a sister and had welcomed her. She finally felt like she had the family she'd always wanted.
Rebecca set the salad in the middle of the table and poured herself a glass of sangria before sitting down to relax with the girls while the boys finished grilling.
"So, I couldn't help but notice the motorcycle is parked out front," Eliza whispered. "I take it you're allowed on it again?"
All winter Rebecca had worked on him about getting past his fear of another accident. And every time she'd brought it up, he said no. But she couldn't let him not do something he loved because of her. Not now when they planned on being together for the foreseeable future.
"Well, I convinced him to let me sit on it, at least, which he still hasn't let me do yet. But I'm pretty sure once he sees me on the back of his bike, helmet hair and all, he'll remember how much fun we had cruising around and he'll crack and take me out for a ride."
"Burgers and dogs are done," Colin said, bringing a big platter of grilled meats to the table.
"That's some pretty fine meat you got there," Ronan said, stabbing a burger with his fork before the platter was even on the table.
"I'll say," Scarlett said, not as quietly as she meant to by the look of red streaking through her cheeks.
Colin turned his attention on Scarlett, holding the platter before her, a grin playing on his face. Obviously, he'd heard Scarlett's comment, too. "Care for some of my meat?"
The entire table laughed as Scarlett quickly grabbed a hot dog from the platter.
"Good choice," Colin said with a wink. "My wieners are the best of the family."
Scarlett sucked in an audible breath, but didn't reply.
"Hey now. Let's not go making crazy statements no one can prove right or wrong." Rebecca took some potato salad then passed it to her left and accepted the corn on the cob from Eliza.
"Oh, we can prove it," the brothers said in unison.
"Okay, well let's not prove it at the dinner table." Rebecca shook her finger at the brothers playfully. "It's a good thing your mother isn't here today to witness you acting like cavemen."
"And you'll be a good sister and not tell her about this, won't you?" Ronan questioned, giving her the expression she'd come to learn meant he was ready to challenge her. And challenging her usually meant a beer chugging contest which she would always lose.
"I won't as long as the only meat I see tonight is the stuff on the table."
"Thanks, losers. I had plans later tonight." Finn smiled at her from the other end of the table, and she wanted to take him upstairs right then, but wouldn't. She may not be invited to any of the fancy formal teas in the Meadow anymore, but she still knew good hosting manners. And running upstairs to bang wasn't one of them.
She smiled back at Finn, the man who made her so unbelievably happy. "I meant while we have company. You're completely exempt from the rule once everyone leaves."
"Get a room," Colin teased.
"We have one. Upstairs. And I plan on taking my future wife up there later."
The table fell silent.
"Your what now?" Rebecca asked around a bite of burger, barely able to swallow now that her throat felt as if it was closing. What did he say?
"You didn't tell us?" Scarlett accused, turning on her.
"I didn't even notice a ring," Eliza said, grabbing Rebecca's hand.
"That's because I haven't given her one yet." Finn got up from his seat at the table as everyone stared at him with various degrees of smiles and cheering. When he got to Rebecca's chair, he got down on one knee and took her hand back from Eliza. "I can't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?"
"But you insisted you never wanted to get married."
"That's what you're focusing on right this moment?" he teased.
"I'm just surprised—shocked, that's all."
He pulled a ring from the front pocket of his jeans. A beautiful ring with a simple diamond set in a platinum band. No extra bling or busy details. Just a simple ring in the hands of the man she loved. Everything about it was absolutely perfect.
"Don't make me ask you again." Finn poised the ring at the tip of her finger. "Becca, be my wife."
Once again at a loss for words, she nodded, tears springing to her eyes.
Finn slipped the ring on her finger then pulled her into a hug, kissing her with a deep passion. A chorus of cheers rose from the table around them.
Rebecca kissed him back. Finally, she felt like she had everything she ever needed in life, and she hadn't spent a penny to achieve it. All she ever needed to be happy was Finn.
The End
About the Author
Heather Thurmeier was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now she lives in upstate New York with her own personal romance hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel. She loves to hear from readers. Heart, humor, and a happily ever after…
Website:
http://heatherthurmeier.com
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http://www.facebook.com/HeatherThurmeierAuthor
Twitter:
@hthurmeier
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http://heatherthurmeier.com
Email:
[email protected]
Also by Heather Thurmeier
Available at Silver Publishing:
MEADOW RIDGE ROMANCES
Love and Lattes
Love on Landing
Love or Luxury
Reviews:
"Heather Thurmeier has once more created a fun, exciting love story that will keep you turning the pages until the satisfying, emotional conclusion. 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance."
—Shoshanna Evers, bestselling author of How to Write Hot Sex.
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