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Hunter drew a deep breath and nodded. “Come on, buddy,” he told Tate and looked at me. “There’s one more surprise.”
My emotions were already on overload, so I really couldn’t figure out what was next, but I knew today was one I’d never forget.
I followed Tate and Hunter to the front door. He stepped aside and pointed at the lock. “Go ahead, use the key.”
Chuckling, I slid the key right into the lock and the door opened.
But I couldn’t even believe what I saw in front of me. His foyer had been covered in white flowers. Arrangements covering the walls led me inside, and my pulse quickened.
“What’s going on? Is this for Tate’s birthday tomorrow?”
Hunter’s fingers slid up my spine as he set Tate on the floor and shut the door, and I stared at the flower wonderland.
“This is for you, Daisy.” He took my hand as I let Pawtson down onto the floor with Tate, who was already making his way toward the family room.
I spun around, taking in the beauty. “Why would you do this for me?”
He drew a deep breath and smiled. His eyes stayed locked on mine, and I got that familiar flutter of excitement that always drew me to Hunter.
“Today, I wanted to celebrate you. You’ve been instrumental in Tate’s life.” He took my hands in his, and my heart skipped a beat. “You deserve all this and more. I love you, Daisy. I always have and always will.”
I shook my head as the emotions colliding inside me overwhelmed my senses. I cupped my hands around Hunter and kissed him softly. “You know how to make me feel like the luckiest woman in the world.”
“Well, I’m the luckiest man.”
Without missing a beat, Hunter got on one knee as I heard a murmur from the kitchen area. I heard a whole bunch of whispering as I watched Tate turn around and follow Purrlock and Pawtson, heading back toward us.
I looked down in Hunter’s hand and realized he wasn’t holding a ring box. He was holding catnip. I hid my chuckle as the feline and canine led the charge with Tate happily looking like a little drunk fellow as they made their way back toward us.
When Pawtson arrived, I noticed a box tied to her collar. Hunter quickly worked to loosen the bow as Pawtson started rough-housing with Purrlock.
Things were about to get dicey.
Hunter laughed, removing the box and tossing the catnip toy back down the hall as Tate sat down to watch his dad.
Hunter’s gaze locked on mine, and he drew a deep breath. “Daisy, since you came into my world, you’ve made my life incredible. You’ve brightened every single day of my life. You know how to bring joy into each space you slide into. Tate and I are the luckiest men in the world to have you in our lives.” His eyes stayed on mine as he opened the ring box in his hand. “Daisy, will you marry me and complete our family?”
His words swirled around me, washing their meaning into my veins as I stared at Hunter, nodding frantically. I wiped the tears streaming down my face as he stood and slipped the ring onto my finger. Tate pulled on his pants leg and Hunter grinned. “Duty calls.”
He swooped Tate into his arms and put him on his hip. Hunter smiled at me, and I knew I had won the lottery. Hunter’s lips touched down to mine as his family came down the hallway, cheering. Millie took Tate from his arms as Hunter cupped his palms around my face, kissing me deeper and carving this moment into our family’s album of memories I’d always cherish.
When his lips left mine, my pulse still raced, and I turned to look at all the friends and family who’d gathered here to celebrate us, and my heart nearly exploded with love.
“Hunter Knox, you and Tate, Pawtson, and Purrlock are the best things that have ever happened to me. And I can’t thank you enough for Scarlett.”
His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Who’s Scarlett?”
I grinned, resting my head on his chest. “The Subaru sitting outside.”
He chuckled, bringing me in for another kiss, and I knew.
I thought back to last Christmas, the Christmas of Love when my life changed forever and I learned to hope again, to love again.
But I couldn’t have opened up my heart if it weren’t for the brilliant star in the sky, shining down so brightly and lighting the way for me to find love again.
**
Dear Readers,
