Olivia looked thoughtful. “You know what? She is and always has been a little Angel. So, if you want to call her Angel, that’s fine with me.”

At the sound of her new name being repeated, Angel lifted her head and gave a short bark, making everyone laugh.










CHAPTER 34

“I can’t believe I get to keep Angel,” Cassie repeated to Wade for the third time as they walked slowly together along the beach.

They got permission to leave the dog for an hour with Olivia so the two could get reacquainted. Wade had suggested that he and Cassie take a short walk on the beach while they waited.

The soft pink sky held lavender clouds rimmed with gold from the setting sun. There was a small family still playing in the waves, water droplets sparked with flame-colored light as they splashed. Couples cuddled together on park benches that overlooked the lake, enjoying the view.

Cassie and Wade had left their shoes in Wade’s car, and they now strolled barefoot along the shore, letting the refreshing waves wash over their feet with each step.

“You know, I’ve been doing all the talking for a while now,” Cassie said after a brief moment of silence. “Why are you being so quiet?”

“Just thinking,” he said.

“About?”

“I have a proposal for you, too.”

“What sort of proposal? she said. Then she realized he’d stopped walking beside her, and she turned around to find him on one knee in the sand.

Her jaw dropped and her breath caught in her throat.

He pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a simple marquis diamond ring glittering inside. “Cassie Sherwin, will you marry me?”

Cassie stood there, mouth still hanging open, saying nothing.

“Ani helped me choose it,” he said, sounding worried.

The silence stretched. His face started to redden. “Um...look, if you—”

“Yes!”

“Yes?”