Page 214 of Chasing Sparks

What I never told anyone is that the atrium and gardens—despite their shoddy appearance—were what sealed the deal for me when I bought the Dean Estate. I envisioned them fully restored, bursting with life and color. Turns out, my imagination pales compared to the reality Ash has created.

Sunlight streams through the glass walls, warming the space, while flowering vines climb a trellis that sits above a two-person glider rocker. In the corner, a rock pond gurgles as water splashes down from a delicate waterfall.

“Ash …” My voice falters as I take it all in, my chest tight with emotion.

He wraps me in his embrace, and I melt against him, the world beyond disappearing from view. “I decided, instead of a bouquet, I’d get you a garden. Something that keeps growing, bringing you new surprises every day.”

I plant my chin on his chest, beaming up at him. “It’s perfect. But how did you do all this?”

“Your brother. Turns out, you were right. He’s one hell of a craftsman.”

“Wait a second—youwere Eddie’s secret project?”

“Yep. I knew you wanted to throw in the towel, that you were overwhelmed. But I wanted to show you that, together, we can do it all, beautiful.”

He leads me back into the living room and gestures to a box on the table. My breath catches when I realize it’s no ordinary box—it’s my wish box.

The one covered in stickers and doodles, packed with a lifetime of knick-knacks, each one representing dreams of my future wedding, baby, and happily ever after.

“My wish box,” I whisper, my voice quivering.

Ash traces his fingers along the edge of the box. “You need to open it, because I plan on making every one of these wishes come true.”

My lips tremble as the realization hits me—through all those days I thought Ash had moved on, he was really waiting for my return. Just like he said.

Ash points to the floor to ceiling bookshelf. “I also bought you the first book for your newly restored bookshelf.”

I cross the room and pull the special edition book out, my heart skipping at the sight of the gorgeous cover—an infamous rose encased in glass. "Beauty and the Beast."

Ash is by my side in an instant, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. “You’re my Belle. Smart, beautiful, stubborn, and absolutely perfect. And this book? It has the fairytale ending you deserve.”

“Ash—”

“I’m not done.” His voice cracks, his green gaze locked on mine. “That’s theonlyacceptable ending, and I’m going to give you that. I swear on my life I will, if you’ll let me.”

I burrow my head against his chest and cry, releasing years of pent-up emotion and grief. Ash’s embrace stays strong and unwavering, his arms a haven from the often cruel world.

After a few minutes, I pull back and wipe my tear-stained cheeks, shooting him a rueful grin. “This is too much. It’s perfect—andwaybetter than your last surprise.”

Ash’s brow furrows. “You didn’t enjoy the Keys?”

“God, yes. I meant when I met Lucille. You told me you had a surprise for me, remember? That wasnota pleasant one.”

He chokes out a laugh. “I can see why, but that wasnotthe surprise I had in mind.”

“It wasn’t?”

“No. I was going to ask you to move in with me so we could work on this place together.” Ash gestures around the pristine carriage house interior.

“Is that still the plan? Moving in together?”

Because cohabitation with this gorgeous hunk of man sounds pretty damn nice.

Ash skews his mouth to the side and shakes his head. “Nah.”

“Oh,” I murmur, trying to mask the sting of disappointment.

“I’m going to ask you to marry me instead.”

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