Page 17 of Enduring Magic

“Thank you.” With a tender kiss on his forehead, she released him and smiled as he scampered off. “I’m on to you, little man,” she murmured. “If you’re up to something, I’ll figure it out.”

“Sounds ominous.”

Summer whirled to face the entrance of the barn, where Knox Carlyle stood, grinning at her. Placing a hand on the area over her heart, she blew out a breath. “Dude. You scared the bejeezus out of me.”

“I thought you and Coop were expecting me.” He sauntered to her and gave her a tight hug. “Congrats on the pregnancy. Spring told me. And Coop informed me what you said about Spring’s desire to wait a few more years.”

“I find it difficult to believe you’re afraid of my sister,” Summer replied dryly.

“Just the dirt she likes to magically put in my mouth when I tick her off.”

They shared a laugh and another hug. Keeping her arm around his waist, they strolled toward the house. “Did Coop tell you why he called you to come by?”

“Something about rings?”

“We’d like for you to help us design ours.”

Knox shook his head. “Design? I’m no jeweler, babe.”

“Well, make them, really. We have a general idea in mind.”

“Okay. Do you have a sketch?”

“I do. Is there any metal you can’t work with?”

“No. Whatever you require, I can mold to your design.”

Summer smiled up at him. “Thank you. More than anything else, I want these rings to be perfect.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“I know.” She gave him a light squeeze around his middle, then released him to open the door. “Come on, let me show you what we’ve come up with.”

About twenty minutes later, they’d decided on the precious metal from a suggestion Knox had made.

“I don’t understand how platinum can harness the power of the moon,” Coop said. “Does it really matter if it’s from some sacred spot in… where did you say?”

“Australia. And yes.” Knox leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. “At the peak of the lunar cycle.”

“I think it’s sweet that you want to give us that added blessing,” Summer said as she set a mug of coffee down. As she placed a cup in front of Coop, she gave him a stern warning look. “And you do, too.”

He dragged her onto his lap and stole a kiss. “And I do, too.”

She beamed her happiness.

“Man, are you whipped,” Knox teased with a laugh. “Who would’ve thought the day would come when hardass Cooper Carlyle would become malleable and agreeable?”

“Shut it,” Coop growled. But there was no real heat in his comment. In fact, he looked smug and exceedingly content.

Knox downed the last of his drink and rose. “Okay, full moon is tomorrow night. I’ll pop down under and get what I need to create your rings.” He picked up the drawings. “This the final design, or do you want to work on it more?”

Heart thudding, Summer gazed up at him, feeling worried she’d somehow screwed up. “Is it a sucky design?”

Expression indulgent and kind, he shook his head. “It’s beautiful. I’m just making sure so I can create exactly what you want. If you’re done with the details, I’ll take these sketches. If you’re not, I’ll come back for them.”

She accepted the drawings and studied them for a full minute before holding them up for Coop. “What do you think?”

“I’m happy with what we’ve come up with. You?”

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