Page 128 of Love Me Fearless

She laughs, the sound such a delightful melody in this quiet, windswept place. I kiss her softly, the love inside my chest swelling to that painful fullness that always seems to happen when I’m with her, like my heart is straining to contain what I feel.

With a happy sigh, she breaks from our kiss. “I love you.”

I bury my nose in her hair, savoring the delicate emotions swirling inside me. “I love you so much, Ava.”

A warm, dry gust tickles my cheek and the sun heats my back as more of the sun’s golden light creeps down the rock walls and fills in the canyons. It feels decadent to bask in the simple perfection of a sunrise in such a beautiful, breathtaking setting.

Ava leans back against me. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Sunrises are special, and this one’s even more so.”

She gives me a curious glance. “Because it’s the Grand Canyon?”

“Because there’s something I’ve been waiting to give you.” Gently, I spin her to face me, nerves fluttering up my throat.

Her eyes turn humble. “You’ve already given me everything I need.”

Unable to stop myself, I cradle her face and kiss her, drinking in the softness of her lips and her little sigh, like she’s happy. She kisses me back, sliding her hands into the back pockets of my jeans.

“What’s that?” she asks when her fingertips bump into the little box waiting there.

I lean back and give her a look. “Hmm, not sure. Maybe you should investigate.”

Laughing, she shakes her head. “What did you do?”

“Something I should have done a long time ago,” I say.

Her eyes fill with kindness. “I thought we weren’t going to beat ourselves up anymore.”

“You’re right,” I say, and kiss her forehead. “But I wanted to do something special for you today.”

She huffs a gentle sigh. “Okay. Just know that I don’t need more. What we have is enough.”

“Noted.”

She slides the box from my pocket, then gives me a searching glance. “Hutch.”

Gently, I slip the box from her fingers and pry the lid open.

Ava clasps her cheeks in surprise. “Are you crazy?”

I laugh. “About you? Yes. One hundred percent.”

“But you’ve already given me a ring.” Her eyes lock with mine.

I take her left hand in mine and brush my thumb over the simple rose gold band I placed on her finger before leaving Finn River. “I know, but I wanted to find a ring as unique and stunning as you.”

She caresses my cheek. “You are so thoughtful.”

“Can I?” I pinch the band to slip it off.

Her smile is like my own ray of sunshine. “Okay.”

I move the temporary ring to her other hand, then pluck the new ring from the silk-lined box. The round stone catches the warm light from the sunrise and seems to reflect the earth’s pretty colors coming to life all around us. I slide it into place.

“Hutch, it’s beautiful.” Ava gazes at the stone glittering in the sun. “I love it.”

“Hoping you’d say that.” I kiss her temple.

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