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Shane was silent as they walked.
Charlotte studied him. “Are you alright?” she asked softly.
He turned to her. “Just wondering what to say.”
She stopped and frowned at him. “About what?”
He cupped her face in his broad hands. “About how much I love you and want you to be by my side. Now and forever. I’ve loved you from that first moment on the beach. And then, with that vision of you as a mermaid, what I thought was love grew into something much more meaningful, deep. I never want to let go of you or that feeling.” He knelt in front of her. “Charlotte Bradford, will you marry me?”
Charlotte’s breath left her. This moment, this setting, this man was perfect. She stared at the face she’d grown to love sincerely, her heart filling with happiness. “Yes, Shane Ensley, I will marry you.”
He held up a velvet box he’d pulled from his pants pocket and opened it. Inside lay a sparkling emerald-cut diamond surrounded by tiny baguettes.
“It’s beautiful,” gushed Charlotte.
“Not as beautiful as you are,” said Shane sliding it onto her finger. It fit perfectly.
He stood and hugged her. “I know it’s happened fast, and the timing may be strange to some, but in a way, the tragedy made me realize how important it is to live well every day. And with you in my life, it can happen.”
She gazed into his eyes and saw the moisture there, proving to her how moved he was by this moment. “Oh, Shane, I want so much to be part of your life and to share mine with you. For the first time in my life, I know what it’s like to truly love someone. I’d save you over and over again.”
“You do that each day you’re with me,” he said and pressed his lips to hers.
She responded, letting him know how much he meant to her. If they were lucky enough to live a long life together, she’d prove that to him every day.
He took her hand and led her over to the Inn. “We have to tell my family.”
Trying and failing not to stare at her ring as she walked beside him, Charlotte allowed Shane to guide her. When they entered the Inn, she discovered a group of family and friends had collected in the gathering room. Granny Liz and Grandpa Sam were there, along with the other grandmothers in the cove. Brooke and Livy stood in a crowd of the younger cove people and waved to her with broad smiles.
“You did it,” said Henry coming forward to shake Shane’s hand.
Charlotte held out her fingers. “Isn’t it beautiful? And it was so romantic.”
Austin walked into the room. “Guess a bump on the head woke you up, Shane. Congratulations, Bro. You and Charlie deserve happiness. It’s not every day someone is saved by a mermaid.” He kissed Charlotte and hugged his brother, patting him on the back.
“Wait! You all knew this was going to happen tonight?” said Charlotte staring out at the crowd.
“That’s why Shane wanted us to stay a couple of extra days,” said Savannah, coming over to her and giving her a hug. “Welcome to the family.”
Charlotte’s emotions got the best of her, forcing the tears welling in her eyes to trickle down her face. She did her best to dab at them with the tissue Granny Liz handed her. All her life, she wondered if she’d ever measure up to anyone’s expectations. But, here, tonight, with Shane, his family, and her cove family, she knew she’d found the place she’d longed for her entire life.
“We all love you, Charlie,” Shane whispered in her ear. “Me, most of all.”
Too touched to say anything, she reached up and kissed him, laughing with joy as everyone around them applauded.
