Her mouth went dry. Spots flashed before her eyes as she grew dizzy. No, she wouldn’t faint. She gazed into Zane’s handsome face, unable to believe what was happening.
“I love you and can’t imagine my life without you in it. I’m selling my share in Big Stake Games and want you to live with me on the Lucky Stars Ranch. The only home I’ve ever had. The only place I’ve been happy. Will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
He scooped her into his arms and swung her around. His love surrounded her, pushing out the pain. His mouth found hers, almost shyly at first as if he too couldn’t believe what had happened. She deepened the kiss as her heart hammered out a staccato beat in her ears.
“Should we share the good news with your grandmother?”
“Speaking of Ginny, she’s still your boss because I refuse to accept your resignation. I also told her to promote you to wedding planner, and she agreed.”
Her promotion. She’d achieved the goal she’d been certain would lead to her security. How wrong she’d been. Security came from family she could count on when times turned difficult. With Zane, Ginny, and his friends, now hers too, she had that. While she couldn’t count on a kidney from her sister, she bet her new family would be lining up to get tested.
“I just can’t believe I’ve gone from the lowest point in my life, to head in the clouds overjoyed all in one day.”
“Another car just turned onto the road. We’d best get moving before someone calls the police.”
A few minutes later McKenna and Zane joined Ginny on her patio. Gazing at the land spread out in front of her, a sense of serenity and peace once again flowed over her. From the moment she stepped on the ranch, she’d felt being here was right. Who’d have thought when she accepted the job as Ginny’s assistant, she’d receive a home and family along with it? How could she be so blessed?
“I can’t tell you how happy it makes me seeing you two together,” Ginny said, pulling McKenna back from her thoughts. Then she patted the rocker beside her. “McKenna, sit here. Zane, pull up a chair. I’m getting a neck crook staring up at you.”
They both chuckled but did as directed, and Zane said, “Do you want the good news or the bad?”
“With how happy you look, how can there be bad news?” Ginny asked, her face filled with confusion.
“We’ll start with the bad.”
McKenna tensed as Zane explained about the morning’s events and the missing shadow box. “The odd thing is there wasn’t evidence of a break-in. That’s what made me think whoever took it had a key. Since I didn’t take it, and you didn’t, I—”
“Oh, no,” Ginny said, her voice filled with anguish. “I wish you’d come right to me, because I did take it. Or rather, I had Amber take the shadow box. Stanley Hernandez called about the pin’s insurance. He needed an updated appraisal and photos. How could I have forgotten to tell you?”
“Turns out the bad news wasn’t bad, after all.” McKenna smiled at Zane. “You had the right theory. Someone with a key did take it. Now you won’t ever wonder.”
He squeezed her hand. His eyes filled with trust, love, and not a speck of uncertainty, warmed her down to her toes. “Even if we’d never found out what happened to the shadow box, I never would’ve doubted you again.”
Ginny glanced between McKenna and Zane, a wise, knowing grin spreading across her face. “Now what’s the good news? Is it that you two are dating?”
Zane linked his hand with McKenna’s. “We’re getting married.”
*
With their friendsand Ginny waiting inside the Lucky Stars ballroom, Zane paused outside and gazed into McKenna’s warm brown eyes. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
McKenna smoothed a hand down the cream-colored lace cap sleeve dress Marjorie helped her pick out this morning.
“A time or two, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”
“You look incredible.” Then he kissed her deeply, unable to believe she’d forgiven him for all the mistakes he’d made with her.
“Are you sure the bet doesn’t bother you?”
Last night after their third round of make-up sex, Zane confessed about his bet with his friends the night he met McKenna.
Instead of being upset, she’d smiled and asked him if he’d learned anything about her from the bet. He’d said he discovered she wasn’t an empty-headed woman who could be swayed by a man who smiled and flattered her. He learned she knew her own mind, stuck to what she believed, and he wouldn’t want her any other way.
“That should teach you to bet against me.” Then grinning, she poked his Aggie maroon tie. “I guess I’ll have to get used to that color since you wear it so often, but you’ll have to get used to riding in my UT orange car.”
“If that doesn’t show I love you, nothing will.”
