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“I have to pull over really quick.”
She drew her brows in and asked, “Why?”
Pulling out a handkerchief, I held it up.
Chloe’s eyes went wide. “Are you into outdoor kinky sex?”
I laughed. “No, but I can be at a moment’s notice if you’re interested.”
“Maybe on our property, not my family’s.”
“Turn around, I don’t want you to see my surprise.”
“Well, this must be some picnic if I need to be blindfolded.”
“It’s something special all right.”
Once I had the blindfold on, I put the truck in drive and made my way around the bend. I had been onsite earlier. Jonathon had his best crew working on this project and I was shocked by how much they had gotten done. I was working on the inside along with Mike and Jonathon when I had spare time. Mike had insisted on doing the interior wood, and I was glad Jonathon had taken a chance on him after seeing the cabinets Mike built for the farmhouse.
I drove for a bit to give everyone time to get to the chapel. Jonathon had already made plans for the crew to cut out for a few hours and head into town to eat. It was just family and friends.
“We have to be almost there!” Chloe said.
When I came around the bend, I smiled at the sight before me. The large white chapel looked finished from the outside, but still had a way to go on the inside. The large, blue, antique doors were one of my favorite features, and I knew Chloe would love them, since she had unknowingly picked them out.
“Okay, we’re here.”
“I’ll come around and help you,” I said, opening my door as Chloe replied she wasn’t going anywhere.
Everyone stood off to the side so that when I took the blindfold off, Chloe would only see the chapel first.
I walked her up to our tree with the swing we had swung on so many times.
“Ready for your surprise?” I whispered against her ear.
Chloe nodded and pulled in a breath. “Wait. Rip. I have something I need to tell you.”
“Um, right now?” I asked, glancing over to the large group of people.
“Well, I’d rather look at you as I told you.”
“That would really ruin my surprise, Chloe Cat.”
She chewed on her lip. “Okay, right. Then I can wait.”
I smiled and untied the blindfold. “Keep your eyes closed until I say to open them.”
Chloe giggled. “Got it!”
Reaching into my pocket, I took out the ring my mother had given me. It was my great-grandmother’s wedding ring, and since neither Jonathon nor my older brother Dalton wanted it, it went to me. It was an antique, and I knew Chloe would cherish it.
I didn’t go down on one knee, I stood next to Chloe so I could see her reaction. The way my chest was squeezing, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I went to talk and nothing came out.
Clearing my throat, I whispered, “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”
Chloe did and gasped at the sight. Both hands came up to her mouth, and she instantly started to cry. When she turned to face me, I got down on one knee and opened the well-worn, blue velvet box. When Chloe cried harder, I fought like hell to keep my own tears at bay.
“Chloe, I know we took the long way on this journey, and like you said the other day, we’re doing it all backwards and we are moving at warp speed.”
She laughed.
“But I’ve known, probably since I first pushed you on that swing, that I wanted to marry you. You happened to say it first, but I’m asking you first. Will you do me the honor of marrying me, Chloe Parker?”
Chloe dropped to her knees and threw herself into me.
“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Everyone cheered, but I was glad no one rushed right over.
Smiling, I took the ring out and slipped it onto her finger. I heard the photographer clicking photos. She let us be natural, which was something I had stressed. I wanted it all to play out first, and then she could pose us however she wanted.
I stood and pulled Chloe up with me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I lifted her off the ground.
“I love you so much.”
“Oh God, Rip. I love you too, and I really have to tell you something.”
“Tell me anything!” I said, hearing the happiness in my voice.
“I think I might be pregnant,” Chloe softly said, but not soft enough.
The photographer was close enough to hear and stopped taking pictures for the briefest of moments. Then I heard the camera going again.
Oh yeah, sure, capture my shocked-as-hell expression.
Chloe pulled back to look at me. I opened my mouth to say something but was cut off by the influx of family members.
Gage grabbed me and slapped me on the back. “Welcome to the family, brother!”
