Page 96 of Saving Ian Pope

As he started the powerful engine of the car with a roar, I put my hand on his arm. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. It’s a surprise.” He put the car in gear, and we zoomed off, startling every living creature in the English countryside. He gripped the steering wheel. “Charlie reached out to me this morning with the date of his mum’s funeral. The tour will still be in the UK at that time, so I’ll be going, and he’d like you to be there, too.”

“I was so sorry to hear about his mom’s death. I’d be honored to go with you.”

We rode in silence for several minutes until I recognized our direction. “We’re going to John Milton’s cottage.”

“I thought something very calming and very English for you before we start on this whirlwind. I don’t think you know what you’re in for, but I’m not going to tell you because I don’t want you backing out.”

“I’m not going to back out.” I tapped on the window as we blew past the sign for the cottage on the road. “Is it still closed?”

“It is.”

“And you used your popstar status to get us in again?”

“My popstar status is even greater now.” He primped his shirt collar. “Just ask Marky Mark.”

I flicked his earlobe. “You...wanker.”

Ian wrinkled his nose and shook his head.

“Too much? How about tosser?”

“A little better.” He wheeled into the small dirt lot next to the cottage where a single white Ford Fiesta stood sentry. “And before you say anything, Vera was working today, anyway.”

“Vera, is it? I think we’re going to make a Milton fan of you, after all.”

Vera met us at the door and ushered us inside. “If you have any questions, just let me know.” As she turned, she winked at us. Did she think we were going to make out among the manuscripts or something?

We wandered through the rooms with Ian practically hopping from one foot to the other with impatience. I finally wedged a hand on my hip and said, “You could’ve waited in the car.”

“Can we go out to the garden? Loads of pansies, camellias, crocus, even in winter.”

“You’re a flower guy now?” He opened the door for me, and I strolled into the garden, which boasted surprising splashes of color for this time of year. I shuffled down a path littered with pink petals toward the fountain formed from a bust of Milton.

“It’s so nice here, tranquil, but I don’t know why all these rose petals are on the ground. Where’d they come from?”

Ian didn’t answer. Had he fallen asleep? I turned and put my hand to my mouth when I saw him down on one knee. “Wh-what are you doing?”

“Come over here, so I don’t have to hobble over there on my knees.”

I took two steps closer on wobbly legs and put my hand in the one he held out to me. He kissed my fingers with his soft lips sending a river of chills down my spine. “Before we go on tour, I want to make this official. Will you marry me, Ivy Chase? Or, whoever you are today. Doesn’t matter—I want them all. I love you. Can’t live without you. Don’t wanna live without you. I want to keep you safe and protect you and put a smile on your beautiful face every day.”

I dropped to my knees in front of him and traced his jawline with my fingertip. “There’s nothing more in this world I’d rather do. No one I’d rather be with.”

I glanced at the huge sparkler as he slipped it on my ring finger and then turned my gaze to the brighter shine in my love’s clear eyes.

Paradise Lost. Paradise Found.

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