AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Liam said his response to him was, “That’s terrible. Hopefully, she found a great home.” He laughed then as Gracie purred in the background.
As difficult as the case and the recovery was, it got us here. Not just back in Sutter Creek, but with my family. Not just feeling more alive and more in love with Nora every day, but to this place in my life where I’m ready to take it to the next level with her.
Nora stretches out on the yoga mat, her toes pointing outward, and her arms stretched above her head, that same sliver of skin playing peek-a-boo again.
I quietly get to my feet, careful not to make a sound, and reach into my jogger pocket. I’ve kept it on me for the past several weeks, just waiting for the right time. I watch her as she continues to stretch, her raven hair fanned out around her head and the first sign of dawn breaking in the skyline behind her. I’ve never seen a more beautifully intoxicating sight.
This is the right time.
I pull out the red velvet box and silently go down onto one knee in front of her yoga mat. I wait for her eyes to open. At first, she looks over at the empty mat beside her. When she doesn’t see me, her eyes search for me.
I stay still, waiting for the moment her eyes connect with mine. When they do, they widen, and she suddenly sits up.
“SJ?”
“Nora Reyes, you’ve held me captive from the first moment I laid eyes on you, with all your sass and the incredible fire in your eyes. I knew I was a goner the second you opened that hotel door, ready to chew me up and spit me out. You are the most dedicated, talented, smart, funny, and kind person I’ve ever known and, for some reason, you’ve chosen me. You fill me with so much warmth and light. The best parts of me are because of you. Cupcake, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
The tiny squeal that comes out of her mouth makes me smile. Her hand comes up to cover her lips before she sits up on her knees and crawls toward me.
I hold the red velvet box out in front of me. Inside is a delicate but intricate white gold antique ring. When I saw it, I knew it was meant for my girl. It’s beautiful but not overdone. She peers down at it and reaches out to run her finger over the band.
That’s another reason I chose this one. The band is like the ring that she spins when anxious. I had a feeling she would connect with it, and I hope like hell I’m right.
“You’ve owned my heart from the beginning. You came into my life when I needed you the most, even though I fought like hell to not have you there. I didn’t know I was missing something until you showed me. You showed me all the best parts of life. You wormed your way in and buried yourself so deep into my skin and heart that I don’t think I can live without you. A thousand times, yes I’ll marry you, big man.”
She isn’t looking at the ring anymore; her eyes are trained on mine.
“I love you, Nora Reyes.”
“I love you, too, Samuel Johnson. Today, tomorrow, and always.”
THE END
