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A laugh danced on the edge of my lips, but I tucked it in and waved at Camille before heading out the door. The little bell over the door announced my departure. Between Camille and Ava, they’d have the shop covered and I could hunt down my man and see what trouble he was brewing up today. Something in the glint of his eye when I took off this morning had me suspicious Kyle Hossman was up to no good.
I strolled past Mr. Hillbanger’s Bel Air, my gaze drifting over the other classics (which I could readily identify these days) and toward the race cars. The fast, loud cars were my favorites, though despite the efforts of both Bomber and Hoss, I hadn’t picked a favorite yet.
Just then an engine roared to life, a thunderous rumble that echoed across the square and compelled me in that direction. As I reached the flashy cars, the gravitational pull I always felt in his presence dragged me toward Kyle. He stood amongst a group of men surrounding a bright red car.
As I approached, he turned, his sharp blue gaze instantly landing on me. He extended his arm and I snuggled up against his side. “What are we looking at?”
“Creed tweaked something on his clutch. Just showing off.”
I nodded. Kyle was working on me, but between the cars and the hockey, I had a long way to go to keep up. His hand wedged at my hip, his thumb sliding under my sweater to glide over my skin. He’d sent me off to the bakery this morning with a satisfied smile, but if he kept rubbing his thumb on me like that, I was going to have to drag him back to the caboose.
Bomber crashed into the group of men then. He’d gone through a growth spurt and I was pretty sure he didn’t have control of his arms or legs most days. He gave Kyle a thumb’s up signal, which immediately set off a warning in my mind. Kyle’s fingers tightened on my hip for a moment, before he curved me into him.
“Sunshine, let’s take a walk.”
Yep, definitely up to some sort of mischief. But when I’d given this man my trust two months ago, I’d done it with a happy heart. He’d been up to the challenge of me, showing me more every day that I’d made the right decision. “Lead on, babe.”
My skin heated the moment he led me into the caboose, but the banner dangling from the roof froze me solid. White roses and baby’s breath, tulle and lace, silk and satin adorned every surface, turning the interior into something between class and kitsch.
“Being honest, Sunshine, I was just going to get on one knee. You know, keep with tradition.”
His hand still wrapped around mine, he guided me to the center of the caboose, then matched actions to words and sank to his knee before me.
“But I’ve learned my Sunshine likes things spelled out. No ambiguity. No possible confusion.”
My eyes watered as he tugged a little velvet box out of his pocket, his words spinning through me in a wash of gratitude and appreciation.
“I love you, Raelynn Kennedy. I look into my future and all I see is you. And it’s a damn fine view.” His voice turned gruff and I pulled my gaze from the banner and drank my man in. “Like the banner says, Sunshine.It will always be you.”
He flipped the box open and a vivid, startlingly bright yellow diamond glittered up at me. “Make my future perfect, Rae. Marry me.”
I stumbled a step closer, but my heels betrayed me and I tumbled into Kyle’s arms. “I love you, too, you crazy man. And nothing’s ever perfect—”
“Agree to disagree.”
I leaned up to him, nipping his contrary mouth, before sweeping into a deep, delicious, skin-tingling kiss.
“That’s a yes, then.”
It wasn’t a question, but I answered it anyway. “Definitely a yes.”
Kyle wrapped me in his arms, my favorite place to be. The knowledge filled me, expectation and excitement I’d never dared dream. As he slid his diamond on my finger, happiness put a smile on my face. And I knew, if Kyle Hossman had his way, I’d never lose it.
“A little ray of sunshine on your finger. Looks right.”
I snickered. Who knew the big ol’ ex-hockey player had it in him? “So cheesy.”
He winked, then cupped the back of my head and dragged me close for a kiss and I knew it would last a lifetime.
***
