Page 155 of Over the Edge

She stared at him.

He wanted to eat? Now?

Was the pendant not as big a deal as he’d claimed?

Trying to reconcile his behavior with his words, she followed his lead and picked up her fork.

“Bri and Marc were leaving as I got our mint squares.” He cut off a bite. “I think Marc is anxious to get the honeymoon started.”

Did Jack sound a little winded?

“I expect most grooms are. Brides too.” She dived into her treat. “I’m sure they’ll have a wonderful trip. It was thoughtful of him to plan it around one of her bucket list destinations.”

“Yeah, it was. But I hope the Pyrenees side trip after Paris won’t be too taxing for her. She’ll want to hike.”

“I have a feeling Marc will keep close watch over her and find other sources of entertainment if she has any issues.” Which she might. Though Bri had made an incredible recovery from the near-fatal parachuting accident that had shattered her femur, the incident had left her with a now almost-imperceptible limp.

“She does tend to push herself, though. Like someone else I know, who insisted on muscling through her workday after walking into a murder. All because she didn’t want to disappoint clients.”

“That was my stubborn streak showing—and I have the scar to prove it.” She wiggled her finger at him, then went back to eating. “I should have listened to your advice that day and gone—” Her fork ran into a solid object, and she frowned down at her mint square. Poked at it with the tines.

A small flat object emerged from the pink mint filling beneath the thick chocolate icing.

What in the world?

“Something wrong?”

She waved a hand over her plate. “There’s a foreign object in my dessert.”

He leaned closer to inspect it. “I must have dropped it in there during the baking process. At leastyougot it rather than one of the other guests. That would have been embarrassing. What is it?”

“I don’t know.” After excavating it, she used her napkin to wipe off the sweet coating. “I think it’s a wad of aluminum foil.”

As she squeezed it, however, the shape registered.

It wasn’t just aluminum foil. It was an objectwrappedin aluminum foil.

This time, her heart did a somersault.

Fingers fumbling, she removed the wrapping to reveal a diamond solitaire flanked by more diamonds set in a beautiful filigreed gold band.

Cradling it in her palm, she met Jack’s gaze across the table.

“Surprise.” For a guy who was 100 percent steady and confident, his sudden uncertain smile clogged her throat. “If you’re not ready for my speech, tell me and I’ll tuck it away for another day.”

“I’m ready.” Somehow she managed to croak out her response.

He took the ring, set it on the table, and cocooned her hand in his. “You know my history, Lindsey. I’ve got a ton of baggage. I never expected to find a woman who would convince me to trust her with my life—and my heart. Then you came along, and I fell hook, line, and sinker. I knew almost from the beginning that you were special, and these past months have confirmed that. I love you more than words can say, and until God calls me home, that love will never waver. Every day of my life, my first and last waking thought will be of you.” His voice hoarsened, and he picked up the ring. “Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

In answer, she lifted her hand.

He slid the ring on.

It sparkled in the moonlight as she flexed her finger, and she blinked to clear her vision. “I love you too, Jack. With all my heart.” She touched the pendant that hung around her neck. “I figured this meant a ring was coming, but I didn’t expect it the same day.”

“I wasn’t taking any chances. I had to ensure Gram’s treasure stays in the family.” He scooted his chair closer and angled it toward hers. “You didn’t finish your dessert.”

“A first, I know. But what was inside was even sweeter.”

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