Page 69 of All I've Waited For

“Late for what? Our date with the fish?” Derek poked her in the ribs.

Spencer leaned against the boat rail, a knowing smile on his face.

Shaking free of Derek’s hold, Ashley stood, her cheeks rosy as she leaned down and pressed her lips to his. “I’m going to the restroom to freshen up, and when I get back, you’d better be ready.”

“To do what?”

“You’ll see.” And then in a flash, she disappeared down the stairs next to the cockpit.

His attention fixed on Spencer, Derek pointed in the direction she’d gone. “You know what that’s about?”

Ashley’s cousin just grinned and pulled a water bottle from the cooler hidden inside the bench seat next to Derek. “You don’t really think I’m going to give away her secrets, do you?” He tossed the bottle to Derek, who caught it with one hand.

The sudden chill tingled his fingertips. “Guess not.” He took a swig from the bottle and shot the breeze with Spencer for what seemed like an hour. What was Ashley doing down there? He thought she had her bathing suit on already, but maybe not. He’d worn his blue swim trunks and a white T-shirt, so he was all ready to go in the water once she finished up.

Finally, the door to the cabin below creaked open and her blonde head emerged. She climbed the stairs and Derek’s jaw dropped at the sight of her standing in the doorway to the pilothouse wearing a long white dress that sparkled in the sunlight. It dipped just low enough in the front to make his mouth go dry despite all the water he’d just drunk. Her hair flowed around her shoulders, and a wreath of yellow flowers sat on her head. The ring he’d bought her winked from her fourth finger.

“Wow.” Derek set his water bottle aside. “You look gorgeous.”

A shy smile slid across her lips. “Gorgeous enough to get married?”

They hadn’t even set a wedding date. Why was she showing him her wedding dress now? “What do you mean?”

She stepped forward and held out her hand. “I mean, do you want to get married? Today? Right now?”

“Seriously?” But the look on her face was anything but joking. “But don’t you want all of our friends and family with us? The church? The flowers? The whole shebang?”

“No, Derek.” She placed her hand against his chest. “I just want you. Besides, you never wanted a big wedding, and we’ll have a reception in the winter, after the harvest is over. But I don’t want to go another day without being Mrs. Derek Campbell.”

His insides vibrated. “Are you sure?”

“Never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“But don’t we need a few things to get married?”

“You mean like the wedding license I dragged you to City Hall for last week?”

One of the only times he’d seen her last week, and he’d wondered at the hurry. But she’d assured him they might as well get it taken care of since it was the only thing on the future wedding checklist she could handle doing right then and there. “You sure fooled me.”

She bounced on the balls of her feet, which were adorably bare despite the soft, fancy dress. “And we just so happen to have a pastor with us too. Imagine that.”

Derek shook his head. “You thought of everything.”

“So is that a yes?”

He whooped, taking her in his arms and twirling her around before setting her back down and kissing her senseless. “You better believe it.”

“Good, because our witnesses are here.”

At that moment, a small motorboat putted toward them, and Derek recognized the helmsman. “Evan? And is that Madison?”

“Yes.” Ashley hesitated. “I know Ben and Bella would have loved to be here, but they’re so busy getting ready for their own wedding next weekend. And Shannon is handling the reunion …”

Derek took her hand in his and kissed her fingertips. “Evan and Madison are perfect. I’m sure our families will understand, especially if we have a reception later.”

“You think so? That’s the only thing I’m not sure about.”

“Ash, they love you. And if this is what you want—what will make you happy—then they’ll be happy for you. For us.”

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