Page 93 of Ethan

Johnny’s face broke into a wide smile. “She’s going to lose her mind.”

“I hope so.”

“That’s great, boss. Real great.” He tilted his head. “I’m trying to figure out what to get Serena.”

“I’m sure anything you give her will make her happy.”

“I hope so.” Johnny was quiet for a beat. “So is Vader the only gift for Naomi?”

Ethan looked at him. “No.”

“No?” Johnny straightened. “You’re not going to tell me more?”

“No.”

“Damn, boss.”

Ethan chuckled. “Ask Serena. She knows.” He pushed off the stall. “Whether she tells you is another matter entirely.”

Johnny laughed. “That woman can keep a secret; I’ll give her that.”

“I know.” Ethan pulled his gloves back on. “I need to get to town before the weather turns. Naomi’s out with Aftyn, Ryan, and Serena so I’ve got a window.”

“I bet those four are tearing Clifton apart.”

“Probably.” He headed for the door. “I hate going out on Christmas Eve, but I don’t have a choice. Those four do, but they wanted to do some last-minute shopping. I’ll see you later.”

“Yep.”

Outside it was flurrying, light and lazy for now, but he’d lived in Montana long enough to know that could change inside of an hour. He crossed the yard to his truck, wishing he’d started it earlier, and climbed in. The seat was cold and the engine turned over reluctantly but caught, and he sat there a minute letting it warm up, watching the snow come down on the ranch.

He thought about what was waiting for him in Clifton and felt something warm settle in his chest despite the cold. He put the truck in gear and drove.

He parked on Main Street and sat for a moment looking at the jewelry store across the road.

The bakery, Sweet Nothings, was next door and the smell of chocolate and sugar drifted even through the closed truck windows. Festive Finds had its window dressed for Christmas,lights and garland and the kind of careful decoration that made the whole street look like something off a postcard.

He got out and crossed the street.

The bell above the jewelry store door announced him and a woman he recognized as Patricia Miller looked up from behind the counter and smiled.

“Mr. Harrison. It’s ready.”

“Good.” He stepped up to the counter.

She disappeared into the back and returned with a small velvet box. She set it on the counter and opened it.

He looked at the ring for a moment. Simple and elegant, a round diamond set in a platinum band. He’d spent two hours in this store the week before going back and forth and had finally decided that Naomi wasn’t a complicated woman when it came to the things that mattered. She was direct and honest, and she didn’t need anything flashy.

Just real.

“It’s beautiful,” Patricia said.

“Yeah.” He picked up the box and looked at it a moment longer, then closed it and slipped it into his jacket pocket. “It is.”

He paid, thanked her, and walked back out into the snow which had picked up since he’d left the ranch. He stood on the sidewalk for a second with his hand over his jacket pocket.

He wasn’t nervous. He was certain.