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The house came into view, the water fountain with lily pads in the center. The tall oak trees cast shade across the pavers in the driveway. The colorful flowers were extinguished by winter’s bite, but it was still a beautiful day.
Hugo stood out front, ready to receive us.
I still remembered the morning I’d left, head held high with tears bottled deep. It made my heart sink in sadness because that wound would always be fresh, regardless of the passage of time.
We left the car and walked to the front door.
Hugo gave me a slight bow. “It’s nice to have you back, Camille. Didn’t feel the same without you.”
I gave him a smile. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“And it’s especially nice because I mean it.”
I reached for his arm and gave him a squeeze. “It’s great to be back.” I entered the foyer, the smell of the hardwood and fresh flowers immediate. It was like walking back in time, all the times I walked through here to Cauldron’s study.
The men brought the luggage inside, carrying everything up the long staircase to the top floor.
Cauldron stepped inside, sliding his sunglasses into the neckline of his shirt. “Six more weeks until spring. Then it’ll really feel like home.”
“It already does,” I said, looking at him.
His arm circled my waist, and he dipped his head to kiss me.
“It’s a fairly warm day,” Hugo said. “Would you like to have lunch on the terrace?”
“That sounds great, Hugo.” Cauldron moved to the staircase. After the staff returned from their drop-off, he gestured for me to go first.
I took the long journey up the stairs to the third floor then entered his bedroom. I meant, our bedroom. It was exactly as I remembered it, spacious and elegant, with its own living room and private patio with a view of the water. My suitcases were placed in the closet, where half of it was empty so I could hang up all my things.
Cauldron remained in the doorway, watching me walk around.
“What?” I asked when his stare continued.
He didn’t answer.
I walked into the closet and looked around. I hated unpacking, so I chose to be lazy and leave the bags there before I exited again.
He didn’t move.
“Seriously, why do you keep staring at me?”
His arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. “Just want to see you make yourself at home.”
It was an odd explanation, and I didn’t buy it. When I turned to admire the flowers on the nightstand, I noticed the colorful reflection of a diamond. The sunlight came through the open windows and made it shine so brilliantly. When I got closer, I realized it wasn’t a bracelet or earrings.
But a ring.
A single, cut diamond in a platinum band. It was a beautiful rock, a princess cut, absolutely gorgeous.
I took a breath then looked at him.
He remained by the door, watching me. “It’s yours whenever you want it.”
Still in disbelief, I stared. “You made it sound like marriage was for some time in the future—”
“I didn’t want to ask you to marry me to get you back. I didn’t want to use it as a bandage for our problems. Unless I earned you back on my own, I didn’t deserve to ask you to be my wife. But now that you’re home…fair game.”
I picked up the ring off the nightstand. “You didn’t have to do this, Cauldron. I never needed a proposal from you. I just wanted—”
