Page 59 of Tempting the King

“Not yet. I’m going to have one built.”

“Why?”

“Because, that’s Woodland Creek.”

I step back. “Wait. The Nolan farm is called Woodland Creek?”

King grins, turning my way and nodding. “Uh huh.”

Woodland Creek Farm.

That was the name of the place I wanted to buy. I knew they’d taken another offer…

“What’s going on?” I ask. “Why are you taking me over there?”

“I thought you wanted to take a tour of our land,” King says. “All our land.”

He grins, and my heart is thundering. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I bought it for us,” he says with a nod.

“My farm. Oh my God!” My brain can’t quite believe it, and my heart starts to race as I realize I’m not dreaming. This is real. This is ours. “I knew your parents place was in the same area but I didn’t realize their land went this far.”

“We might let Benjamin live in my old place here.” King steps forward, taking my hands in his. “If he gets himself straight. It’s going to take some work to get the farmhouse fixed up, and it will be good for him to keep busy and learn a trade. The Nolan place is ready to move into right away, but I want us to make it ours together. What do you think, baby? Be my wife, make me a real king.”

“I can’t believe it,” I say, trying to figure out all the coincidences that the universe had to bring together for all this to happen.

The chaos of the universe.

I get lost in the breeze and the sunshine, closing my eyes focusing on my gratitude.

When I open my eyes, King is counting.

“…four, five, six…” He’s smiling as he counts.

“What are you doing?”

“…eight, nine, ten.”

“Uh, King? Is there a bomb about to explode?”

He sighs. “It doesn’t work, little firecracker.”

“What doesn’t?”

“You told me that if I have any urges to do something impulsive, I should count to ten. It’s not helping. I still have the urge.”

“Okay…” I frown, wondering if I need to use my training right now to help calm him down.

I have techniques I could use. But I can’t figure out what he could possibly be trying to avoid doing out here in the middle of a field.

Then he drops down on one knee.

“Emee. Marry me. Let’s start our own chaotic life. Messy is good sometimes.”

The ring he finally pulls out is nothing short of fit for a queen.

Those butterflies return, flapping over my skin like they did that first time I saw him in the bar.

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