Page 330 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Tell him thanks for rescuing my pap, and I’m glad he’s okay.”

She stood and kissed her friend on the cheek. “I will.”

Emily staredout over the lake and scratched behind Ruger’s ears with one hand while twisting a yellow leaf in the other. She could feel a change in the air. Autumn would arrive in a few days, but the peak colors that brought out the leaf peepers wouldn’t emerge until mid-October.

She looked toward Wade’s house. He’d said he’d meet her outside, so she’d waited. Patiently. Well, maybe a tad impatiently. They were going out to dinner at the Sunset Inn, the fancy restaurant on the lake where he’d taken her on their first date after they’d become reacquainted.

Wade appeared in the doorway, freshly shaven, with his dress shirt open at the collar. “Are you ready?”

“I’ve been waiting on you.”

“Sorry. The meetings at work took longer than expected.”

“Did they make a decision?”

“It’s looking like I’ll receive a suspension. Considering you and Mr. Crawley were both found on the property, they’re not going to fire me for not getting a warrant. If you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have a job.”

“I understand protecting privacy and all, but if you hadn’t come, we would’ve both been killed.”

“My boss wanted to see the proof you were being held there first. Not merely my suspicions. With Senator Martin owning the property, it was a sticky situation for him.”

“I hate politics.”

He smiled. “Shall we go?” After putting Ruger back in the house, they walked hand in hand to the restaurant.

She devoured her meal, and they split a piece of death-by-chocolate cake. The cake was layered with ganache and whipped cream between the cake layers. She licked her lips and set aside her fork. “I can’t eat another bite, but it was scrumptious.”

He paid the check, and they strolled along the lake. When they reached the private beach area near his house, he kissed her. “You taste like chocolate.”

When he dropped to one knee, her heart nearly slammed to a stop before picking up speed.

“I’ve loved you as long as I can remember. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, Em?” He held out the sparkling ring he’d shown her by the campfire. “I’ll take you to pick out a better engagement ring, but I didn’t want to wait to ask.”

“It’s the perfect ring. It has more meaning and history to it than a new one would.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes. I’ll marry you!” She felt like jumping up and down, but she settled for holding out her hand while he slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. Her heart swelled with love for the man beside her. “I love you, Wade Brunner.”

“And I love you.”

The End

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