Page 91 of Trusting Forever

I hooked my hand through his arm and snuggled closer. The first time we took a carriage ride, I was falling for him, but now I was in love with him. I was in so deep with this man; I just hoped we were on the same page. If he wanted to pump the brakes and go in a different direction, I wasn’t sure what I’d do.

I wouldn’t settle for anything less than moving forward with him and Ember. I wanted a life with them, a family, and a future.

“I want you to know I’m happy to answer any questions you have about Brandy and the plan going forward. I made some decisions while you were with your parents, but I want you to know that going forward, we’ll discuss them together. I always want to hear your input. You’re as much a part of this as Ember and me.”

“Thank you for including me.” My throat tightened at the unexpected gesture. I wasn’t sure of my role. I’d always been around to care for Ember, but I’d stayed out of his decisions when it came to her mother.

The horses moved forward in a slow gait, the air cool around us and the stars visible in the sky. Twinkling lights lined the path. We passed Emmett’s house, then Heath’s. “Where are we going?”

“To the pond.”

“Does Talon still have lights floating in it?”

“We’re going to find out,” Sebastian said, but his expression was a little uncertain.

Was he worried about something? Maybe he wasn’t sure if I was okay with reconciling. “I appreciate that you made changes, but I want to make sure it’s what you want, and you’re not just doing it for me.”

“It’s for me and Ember. I don’t want you to feel disrespected, but I could see how Brandy’s actions weren’t helping us. Ember’s well-being is always my first concern.”

“Of course, it is.” I squeezed his arm to show my support.

“I think your being there helped me see how crazy it was that I let Brandy pop in whenever she felt like it.”

“You’ve given her money in the past. Is that what she wanted this time?”

“I told her she wouldn’t be getting anything from me. I need the money for Ember. I want to save for her college tuition and make sure she has everything she needs to thrive. I can’t do that if I’m constantly siphoning money to Brandy.”

“Brandy’s not your responsibility.”

Sebastian glanced down at me, the passing lights reflecting in his eyes. “You and Ember are. I want to make both of you happy.”

We approached the pond; I could see lights reflecting on the surface. Sebastian turned the horses so that they followed the path around the pond. When we reached a spot that he’d set up for us to stop, he pulled the reins, and we got out.

“What’s all this?” I asked him as he led me to the pile of blankets and pillows. There was even a basket of what I hoped was food. I had been too nervous during the day to eat much.

He helped me settle onto one of the large cushions on the ground.

“I didn’t ask my brothers for help. Everything I planned for tonight was my idea.”

“I wouldn’t have minded if they helped.” I loved how close they were.

He stood stiffly. “I wanted you to know how I felt and what my intentions are going forward.”

The seriousness of his tone had my heart skipping a beat. I didn’t think he’d go through all this trouble to tell me he didn’t have time for a relationship, but now, I wasn’t sure. Sebastian was an interesting combination of one step forward and two steps back.

He knelt on the ground next to me. “I was going to wait until after we ate for this, but I can’t wait any longer.”

“Sebastian?” I asked, a little confused as to what was happening.

“I can’t wait another minute to tell you how I feel. I love you, Hanna. I think I have for most of my life. It may have been a little different when we were teenagers, but it’s morphed into something larger than life now that we’re adults. I want a future with you. I want to live with you in my cabin on the farm. I want to raise Ember with you, and any other children that you might want.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. Was he proposing? I hadn’t expected this. I’d have expected we would live together for a year or two before he’d even think of getting engaged.

He pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket, and my heart stopped. “Hanna, will you marry me?”

I think I was surprised by his question and the sparkling diamond he’d opened the lid to reveal to me. “Are you sure?” I asked, my hands shaking as he slid the ring onto my finger.

“I’ve never been surer about anything. I love you and want to build a future with you. I want you to be my wife.”

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