“You got me,” she says when she regains her composure.
“Yeah, you’re right about that. I got you and I’m never letting you go.”
She fans herself with her free hand. “Dear God.”
I take in a deep breath. “I’m not one of those guys who has all these fancy words to wrap up how I feel about you, darlin’. You mean so much to me—more than words can ever express. It’s not for lack of trying, but right now, I don’t remember any of the words I’ve been practicing for the last two days.”
My candid confession elicits more laughter.
“I’m just going to speak from the heart.” I take another breath to regulate my beating heart. “I love you so much, it scares me. Then again, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I say. “I know this much. I want this high feeling when I’m around you for the rest of my life. I wantyoufor the rest of my life. Carina Callahan, will you do me the honor of becoming?—”
“Yes!”
A loud roar of laughter erupts around us.
“Oops.” Carina blushes. “I guess I was a little trigger-happy there.”
“That’s right,” Riley says. “Make sure to wrangle‘THE SEXIEST COWBOY ALIVE’as fast as you can. Lasso that bad boy. Lock it down, girl. Lock. It. Down.” She hoots, her hand swirling over her head like she’s about to rope a calf.
Jake jabs his sister’s arm with his elbow. She shoots him aWhat?look.
Another round of laughs from the crowd ensues.
I return my attention to my girl. “You didn’t let me finish.”
“Oh, sorry,” she says. “I’m overwhelmed. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I hear you, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime question for me. You have to give a man a chance to ask his question the proper way. And for the record, thisishappening.”
“Okay.” She nods. “Try again.”
I shake my head, amused by her reaction.
This part of the evening isn’t going as planned, but hell, I’m just going to roll with it.
“Carina Callahan, will you marry me? Will you allow me to love you a little more every day? Will you have beautiful babies with me? And finally, will you grow old and gray with me?”
“My answer hasn’t changed, but since you upped the ante, I guess I have to repeat my answer.” She grins. “Yes, yes, yes, and yes.”
Music to my ears.
“I love you with all my heart—” Her voice breaks. “I can’t think of anything I’d want more than to be your wife.”
Our friends and family whistle, cheer, clap, and stomp their feet.
I let go of her hand and open the black box.
“Lord, have mercy. That’s breathtaking.”
I slip the ring on her finger.
I got her a classic eternity band with four-carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds, paired with two bands circled with emerald-cut emeralds, to form a stacked look. I think it’s spectacular, but it’s her opinion that matters.
“Rhett, baby, it’s so me. I absolutely love everything about it.” She lifts her hand to eye level before turning it to the crowd. “Look y’all, I’m going to become Mrs. Sullivan.” She points at her ring with her other finger to emphasize her joy.
That gets her a rowdy reception.
She’s taking over the show.
