Page 59 of Evan

In case you have not figured it out yet, we are in the process of courting. I already ask for your pastor’s blessing. He never said anything to you?”

She had a dazed expression on her exquisite face that heightened his amusement.

“How remiss of him.”

“You want to marry me?”

“I would suggest taking a quick trip in the company jet to Vegas, but I have a feeling that would not be agreeable.”

“No.” She shook her head as she continued to stare at him.

“Are you going to say yes?”

Her fingers tightened in his and her eyes welled with tears that she had to blink away.

“Am I going to have to languish away in some lofty mansion?”

His startled look gave way to admired laughter, an incredibly tender expression spreading on his face. She was one in a million, one in a billion actually and he was going to be proud to call her his wife. He had no idea what he had ever done to deserve someone like her.

Perhaps it was the God she so believed in or perhaps after having such a lousy childhood, that same God had indulgently decided to give him an enormous break. Whatever it was, he didn’t care and was going to grab it with both hands.

“That might be the case.” His voice was hoarse with emotions, his fingers clinging to hers possessively. He wanted the whole world to know that she was his and he was hers. “With maids coming out of your ears. You will not be able to take a step without tripping over household staff.”

Her smile was tremulous. “I guess that’s the sacrifice I will have to make as long as you come with it.”

“Absolutely. You still have not said yes.”

“Yes.” She whispered huskily. “A thousand times yes. I would be honored to be your wife.”

“In that case…,” using his free hand, he reached into the pocket of his jacket and took out a small black case.

“What is that?”

It was awkward to work the tiny clasp with just one hand, but he managed it and flicked it open to reveal the stunning emerald cut engagement ring.

A gasp of astonishment and awe escaped her as she stared at the diamond that sent prisms of light shooting everywhere. The stone was so brilliant that she had to blink several times to focus.

“Oh, Evan.”

Removing the ring from its velvet bed, he slid it on her finger and nodded in satisfaction. It was a perfect fit.

“I wanted to make it official.”

Her expression was almost his undoing as she stared from the ring to his face. The naked adoration had him faltering, his heart doing overtime.

“Stop looking at me like that.” He said thickly.

“Like what?”

“Like I mean everything to you, like I am so loved that I would never be able to question your loyalty and commitment.”

“Like I have found the man I am going to spend the rest of my life with? Like the fact that God has given me a gift so beautiful, I cannot stand it?”

He swallowed the golf sized lump in his throat and to his alarm and mortification, he felt tears burning the back of his eyes.

“Like that.” He murmured gruffly. “We should order champagne.”

“Or we should go for a drive. And take a walk in the park.”

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