Page 160 of Unseen Danger

“You got a clever young man there.” Pops leaned in, and she took the hand he offered. “There’s a road up the other side. He drove me right up here.”

He had to be Branson.

“Is he here?”

“Come with me, honey.” Pops’ bony hand gripped hers, and they walked slowly on the narrow path until another clearing opened up before them. This one was much larger than the first. It sloped up on either side to frame a rock wall with a waterfall cascading down.

The view was stunning. But nowhere near as gorgeous as the tall, muscular man who stood only six feet away, wearing the sweetest smile she’d ever seen.

Her heart dropped to her stomach and then bounced right back up to bang into her ribs.

Pops gently tugged on her hand, and she walked with him to Branson. Pops slipped her hand into Branson’s larger one, giving their joined hands a squeeze before he let go.

“I’ll take this fella with me over here.” Pops reached for Alvarez’s leash.

Nevaeh handed over the leash with a smile she then directed up at Branson as Pops moved away. “I knew something strange was going on.”

“Strange?” His mouth twitched. “Is that what you’re calling me now?”

Her heart melted at his teasing. Amazing how quickly he’d picked up on her sense of humor. He managed to make her laugh at least once a day and usually more.

“I’ll call you worse than that if you don’t tell me what you’re up to.”

“As clever as you are, I’m guessing you already know.” He lifted his free hand and opened his fingers to reveal a square velvet box.

Her breath caught.

He lowered his massive frame to kneel on one knee and looked up into her face. “Nevaeh Williams, I love you more than I can say.”

A smile stretched across her face at the start of what could only be a proposal. And the three little words she would never tire of hearing.

“You are God’s greatest gift to me. From the moment we met, I couldn’t shake the feeling we’d been made for each other. And it turns out, God did make us for each other.” His blue eyes sparkled as he looked up at her. “You make me want to be a better man and a better Christian. And I want nothing more than to love you and take care of you for the rest of my days. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The answer she wanted to give fought to get out. But she couldn’t resist the chance to tease him a little. “Are you sure you want to risk having me for a pastor’s wife?”

He grinned. Didn’t even have the decency to look nervous that she hadn’t answered him yet. “I can’t think of anyone more perfect for the job.”

“Oh, so it’s a job application, is it? Kind of like you saying you had to prep for a test today?”

“You clearly have no idea what it’s like to ask your grandfather for permission to marry you.”

She snorted. “Did you pass the test?”

He winked, kicking up a bunch of butterflies in her stomach. “With flying colors. How am I doing with you?”

“Get up, and I’ll show you.”

His eyebrows lifted, but he held his position. “I’d like to, ma’am, but I’m waiting for the answer to a very important question.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

She laughed. “Yes, I love you, and yes, I’ll marry you. Now will you get up and kiss me already?”

He let out a whoop as he stood and swept her off her feet, literally, lifting her above him into the air.

Then he lowered her down against his chest and planted a kiss on her lips that left no doubt she’d said yes to the right man.

The sound of clapping ended the kiss earlier than she would’ve liked, but she smiled at Pops and her PK-9 family as they watched and cheered.

Nevaeh didn’t move toward them yet, though. With so much joy filling her heart that there was no room for fear, she wasn’t about to leave the arms of the hero God had given her anytime soon.

---