Page 112 of An Endless Memory

A slow grin spread across his face. “Remember when we said that over the phone? I never thought I’d be lucky enough to hear it for real. I love you, Lily pad. I always will. I love those kids, and I can’t wait to raise them with you.” Alarm filled his expression. “Will this be a mindfuck for Cali? I took so long to plan everything and get ready to move, but I was also worried that I’d do more damage?—”

“I didn’t tell her.”

Surprise lifted his brows and hope filled his eyes. “No?”

“I never got a call from the lawyer that you returned the documents.”

The smile returned. “And you never pressured me.”

“I guess my hope never officially died.”

“Lily Knight, I’m gonna make you my wife every damn day of our lives.” He dug in his pocket and withdrew something I couldn’t make out.

Then he stepped back and dropped to a knee. He was holding a small black velvet box.

I covered my mouth with my hands. I was getting proposed to. Properly. Romantically. I didn’t care if we were in a veterinary clinic exam room with the smell of cleaner surrounding us.

“Will you stay married to me?” he asked and opened the little box. A square diamond ring in a platinum setting sparkled inside.

“Yes. Ohmigod, yes.” I had my arms around his neck before he fully stood up.

He planted his mouth on mine and pressed me against the door. I savored his taste, the hardness of his body, and the fact that he was here.

He pulled back like he needed supreme strength to break contact. “If I don’t stop, I’m going to walk out there with an erection that won’t go away. But everyone’s going to know you’re my girl.” Juggling the box, he took the ring out and slid it onto my finger. A perfect fit. Just like us.

Eliot

Lily pulled into the garage. I wanted to go out and help her, but she thought Cali would love the surprise.

Cali breezed through the door from the garage and stopped in the laundry area. She dumped her backpack on the floor and flung her coat off. She stepped out of her snow boots and danced into the kitchen. She stopped when she saw a little carved horse at her spot at the table. There was another in front of Kellan’s high chair.

“Is Uncle Jasper here?” she yelled toward the garage door where Lily was coming inside with Kellan.

“No,” I said, entering the kitchen. “Happy Valentine’s Day, boss lady.”

“Eliot!” She launched herself at me.

I crouched and caught her. She’d grown again, and I’d missed it—for the last time.

“It’s been forever!”

I laughed. “You sound like Ivy.” My niece loved the drama, and Cali loved her new cousins.

I stood and led her to the table. “I asked Jasper to carve this for you.” He’d captured the traits that made an Arabian stand apart—the arched neck, high tail, and dished facial features. “You know why?”

She shook her head, dancing from foot to foot.

“Because that carving looks exactly like the horse that’ll be coming to live here this summer. Your horse.”

Her mouth dropped open, and she gasped. “My horse?”

“Your horse.”

“What’s her name?”

I chuckled again and ran a finger along the carving. “You’re getting a gelding. A nice, mellow boy who loves to listen and learn. I saved him for you.” I had known he was something special. A good horse for kids. I couldn’t send him to be a show horse whose only purpose was to win money. “His name is Starry Night.”

“Star? His name is Star?” She squealed and whirled around. Lily came to stand by me.

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