Page 88 of The Sailor

“So much for telling everyone individually, on our own time,” Zach said with an exasperated sigh.

“I’m actually glad. Makes it easier,” Marit said, with a little smile and shrug.

“If you want to get dressed, I’ll be back with a wheelchair. I know you probably don’t want or need it, but rules are rules. Be right back,” the nurse said with a huge smile on her face. She’d obviously heard Evelyn’s announcement as well.

The second they were alone again, Zach leaned down and kissed Marit. His lips were warm, and the excited little tingles she got whenever he touched her sparked once more. It was no wonder she was pregnant, considering they couldn’t keep their hands, or other body parts, off one another.

“Will you marry me, Marit Phillips? Will you join my crazy family, protect me from my mom’s shenanigans, continue to help make The Lobster Buoy successful, let me cook for you, take care of you, put up with my overbearing and overprotective ways, and allow me to be your biggest cheerleader for the rest of our days?”

Marit stared at him with her mouth open.

“It’s not a fancy proposal like Chad had for Britt, but it comes from the heart. My heart. You own it, Marit. It’s yours. And I’m handing it over gladly. If this is all too fast, we can wait as long as you want to actually get married. And before you ask, I’m not proposing because you’re pregnant. If marriage isn’t something you want, we can simply be partners for the next hundred years or so.”

Marit swallowed, ignoring the pain in her throat. “Of course I will,” she told him. “Marry you. You are literally everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a husband.”

Zach beamed down at her. “I forgot to ask the doctor when you might be cleared to make love.”

“I didn’t. He said as long as I’m not hurting, there’s nothing preventing us from being together,” Marit told him with a huge grin.

“Awesome. But not tonight. Tonight, I need to get you home, pamper you, feed you, hold you, and simply revel in the fact that you’re okay. That you and our little babe are both okay.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Tomorrow though . . .” Zach said with a glint in his eye.

Marit chuckled again. “Are we telling your mom we’re engaged, so she can let the rest of the family know in an inappropriate way in a very public ER waiting room?”

“Hell no. She can wait. I need to find the perfect ring for you first. One that’s not too big, that you can wear while you’re lobstering. Maybe one with inset diamonds so it won’t catch on your gloves or something.”

This man really was perfect for her. Some men would probably demand she quit. Insist that lobstering wasn’t safe for her or their baby. Or maybe want to get her a huge-ass ring to make some sort of “claim” on her. But Zach wasn’t like that. He was happy if she was happy, and he understood that she was happiest when she was on the water.

“I love you,” she said, feeling more content than she’d felt in a very long time. Maybe ever.

“And I love you back,” he replied.

“You said Britt picked up Ruckus Donuts? You think she has them with her now?”

Zach chuckled. “You and your donuts. Yes, she has the box with her now. The owner threw in an extra half dozen because he knows you so well and was horrified about what happened.”

“Awesome,” Marit breathed.

“Yeah.”

“Here we are!” the nurse said cheerfully as she wheeled the chair into the room. “Your ride out of here.”

“I’ve got her,” Zach said, as he stood and held out a hand to Marit. “Let’s go home.”

“Home,” Marit repeated. Anywhere this man was felt like home to her, but she couldn’t wait to see the four walls of his tiny little studio. She already had such great memories there. Evelyn was right, eventually they’d need to find a bigger space . . . but for now, Zach’s place was just perfect.