She shook her head at him. He’d done just about everything in his power to encourage her over the last few months, so she could see how some shared paint splatters wouldn’t slow him down much.
One of his arms pulled away from her for a moment, and she wondered what he was doing now. Then his arm reappeared, holding a small, blue velvet box. It looked to be about the right size. Her breath caught in her throat. She’d often imagined what this moment would be like, and now that it was finally here, she wasn’t quite sure how to react. Her brain ordered her hands to move.
He nodded. “Open it.”
She cracked open the case to find a beautiful diamond ring, set in white gold.
“Hank, it’s gorgeous.”
“You like it? It’s custom designed…by another artist I know.” He gently turned her around, lifting her chin until she was looking right at him. “This past year with you has been the best of my life.” He paused before continuing. “I tried to think of a flashier way to ask you. Maybe on a cruise or hiking on top of a mountain or something like that, but honestly, I didn’t want to wait. I just came back from picking it up, and I didn’t want to go another day without showing you how I feel about you.”
She held up a hand. “No. No, this is perfect, Hank. You know I’m not a flashy person. I just want you, and I’m happy.”
“I know it’s not an opal, but I figured you’d still be okay with it.”
“More than okay.”
He grinned. “So…do you need time to think about it?”
She laughed. “Of course not. Why would I?”
He gestured to the ring still in his hand. “I’m still waiting.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Of course it’s a yes, silly man. Quick, put it on my finger.”
He chuckled. “Yes ma’am.”
She had to wipe her hand off first just to make sure there wasn’t any paint on it, but soon she had it on, and it fit perfectly. She was impressed. That finger would never go naked again.
He pulled her closer until she could think of nothing but the strength of his arms around her and the smell of fresh laundry of his shirt. This was absolute heaven, and it was hers forever. She’d finally found what she’d been searching for, here in this little town in North Carolina. It seemed she was getting back to the old Cassie, after all.
Read more from Laura Westbrook:
Red Canyon Series
Coming Home: A Sweet Romance
Carnival Ride: A Sweet Romance
High Noon: A Sweet Romance
Manhattan Lights Series
All That Glitters: A Sweet Romance
Work of Art: A Sweet Romance
Cover Up: A Sweet Romance
New Beginnings Series
Finding Paradise
Color My World
Billionaires of Brighton City Series
Date in Disguise: A Sweet Billionaire Romance
Rough Around the Edges: A Sweet Billionaire Romance
Standalone Story
Recipe For Love: A Sweet Romance
Follow Laura Westbrook via:
Twitter: @WestbrookWriter
Website: Laura Westbrook
My Books: Laura Westbrook
Color My World Page 10