A tiny spark of an idea came to life, and a thrill ran through my body. There was one thing I could do to rival him. And kneeling under our tree, in our field was the perfect place to do it.

“You’ve always got to make all the big romantic gestures,” I teased.

“Well, in my defence, I’ve always loved you, and you more than deserve every single romantic gesture I can conceive.”

“Okay.” I lifted my arms to wrap around his neck. “But I think I want to get this one in for myself. Oliver Ray.” I took his hand in mine. “Will you marry me?”

It was his turn to wear the stunned expression, and I instantly knew I’d done the right thing.

My heart galloped in my chest with excitement. A few days ago, I’d been travelling back to London, feeling weary and swamped with work, and now, I was standing on our own piece of land, asking the boy I’d loved since I was a girl to marry me.

All I needed to make this perfect was Oliver to say yes.

“Well?” I prompted, with the biggest smile on my face.

“Yes. A hundred times, yes. But don’t think you’ll escape my proposal. I know why you’ve done this, and I love it. Nothing would make me happier than to be your husband, and be by your side—protecting you, and making you happy—for now, and the rest of my life.”

My eyes misted with tears again at his words. Because I knew how much he meant them. And I couldn’t wait to find the courage that Maddison had first given me and be brave for the both of us, for the rest of my life.

The End