Page 126 of The Enemy Face Off

"Nope. I got this."

I watch him calmly handle the tire, every movement smooth and confident, like he's done this a hundred times before. There's something reassuring about the way he works, focused but relaxed, making me feel at ease even by the side of the road. He tightens the last lug nut, then hoists the spare, fitting it neatly into the back. He shuts the trunk with a satisfying thud.

I hand him a wipe, and he quickly cleans his hands.

"There. All done. Ready to keep going?" he asks.

"One thing."

"What?"

"This."

I step closer, feeling the cool mountain breeze as I rise onto my toes to meet his lips. My heart races a little as I lean in, wrapping my arms around his neck. His hands gently settle on my waist, and when our lips finally touch, everything feels so right.

When we pull apart, I realize we have an audience. Josie lowers the window. "Did you give Beth the ring, Dad?"

The ring?

Milo tries to disguise his panic—and fails—forcing a smile that takes me back in time to when his smiles were enough to scare small children.

"What ring?" I ask, looking up into his eyes.

"I had it all planned out," he mutters, shaking his head. "I've been in touch with Schapelle, and she helped me plan out a big romantic proposal in the mountains."

My heart stops.

I'm so overwhelmed I can't help the tears from falling down my face.

"What's wrong, Beth?" Josie asks.

I start wiping them away, not to worry her. "Nothing. I'm fine, sweetie. These are good tears. Happy tears."

"Like when Dad watchesThe Lion King?"

"Hey. That was meant to be our little secret." Milo frowns, pretending to be upset, but I can tell he's not.

At least not about the movie.

"The ring?" I hedge.

He lets out a deep breath. "Well, I suppose we are in the mountains. And I am doing this in front of the three people I love more than anything in the world. Wait here."

He goes to the car and when he returns a moment later, he drops down on one knee. Looking up at me, he says, "I don't know what it is about you, but you captivated me from the moment I met you. I've opened up to you more than I have to anyone else in my life. You bring out the best in me, and I hope I make you feel safe and protected and loved and cherished because you deserve that, Beth. You deserve to be treated like a queen."

He takes another deep breath. "Beth Anne Moore, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Yes. Of course."

He slips the ring onto my finger, his hand a little shaky, and my heart feels like it might burst. The ring sparkles in the mountain sunlight, delicate and perfect, just like this moment. I glance over and see the kids watching from the car, their wide eyes making everything feel even more real, and all I can think is, this is my forever.

He rises from his bent knee, his eyes never leaving mine, and before I can catch my breath, his hands are on my waist, pulling me gently toward him. The kiss is soft at first but filled with so much emotion it makes my knees weak. The mountains, the kids watching—it all fades away as his lips meet mine.

"I just realized something," I pull back as it dawns on me.

"What?"

If I do the hyphenated thing and keep my maiden name, my new surname will be Moore-Payne."

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