Page 91 of Dotted Lines (Runaway 5)

“I got an email from that developer in Temecula this morning.”

She sat up straighter. “And?”

“Sold. Half a million bucks, which is more than the land is worth, but he thinks there’s value in the parts. So I figure that sale plus the equity I have in my house here should be plenty to set us up wherever you want to live.”

“I have a house but it’s on Brody and Aria’s property. I love them both, but I want our own space.”

“Same here.” I wanted a home we chose together, where we could raise Gus and any other kids who came along.

“Do I have to decide today?”

“Yes.”

She looked at me, startled for a moment, until she realized I was teasing and burst out laughing.

My God, she was beautiful when she laughed. I lunged for her, tackling her to the towel and pinning her down with a leg. Then I took her hands, raising them above her head so she was completely at my mercy. “I love you.”

“I have an idea.”

“What’s that?”

“Let’s go to your place. Give August his Nintendo and we can take a shower.”

I swelled instantly, pressing the bulge against her hip. “Good idea.”

She lifted her head, her lips seeking mine, but as fast as I’d pinned her, I was on my feet, bringing her with me.

“Can’t leave yet.”

“Why?”

I put two fingers to my lips and whistled.

August heard it, his head snapping up from where he’d been beside the water. Then he tore off, running for the spot where we’d prepared our surprise.

“Come on.” I took Clara’s hand, threading our fingers together, and willed my heart not to explode.

We caught up to August, who stood proudly by our creation.

“What’s—” Clara’s breath hitched when she saw the words we’d written in the sand. From the towel, she had been too far away to read them, but not so far that others on the beach might have ruined them.

I stepped in front of her and dropped to a knee. Then I fished the ring Lou had given me out of my shorts pocket and slid it onto her finger. “Marry me.”

The words etched in the sand said the same.

Clara wouldn’t have been the woman she was if her gaze hadn’t shifted away from mine to August.

Behind me, August had a beaming smile on his face as he nodded.

“Yes.” She crashed to her knees and framed my face with her hands.

I kissed her, lingering long enough to elicit an eww from August. Then I tackled Clara to the sand, getting her good and dirty as she laughed, before carrying her into the ocean and dunking us both in the water.

Needed to justify that shower.

Later that night, after we’d celebrated and decided that I had yet another move to make—we were starting our next chapter in Welcome—I found Clara at the living room window, staring at the Cadillac in the driveway.

“I’ll always be grateful for that car,” she whispered, then raised her hand to look at the ring. “This was his wife’s, right?”