Page 78 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“I did.” After setting a cooler and a blanket in the back, he lifted Sherlock onto the seat.

I climbed in and pulled Sherlock into my lap. Talking about the house under our big oak tree would be even sweeter.

He took a different trail than we did on horseback, and it was a matter of minutes before he parked near the tree. “Let me lay out the blanket. Then I want to tell you something.”

I set Sherlock in the grass. “Stay close, buddy.”

He ran off after a butterfly.

“Do you mind if I tell you my thing first? Please.”

Eli grinned. “Of course. Flip over that corner, will you?”

I smoothed out the other end of the blanket and sat down.

After he’d gotten the other side of the blanket how he wanted it, he stretched out and laid his head in my lap. “What’s up?”

“I heard back about the house today. They will be tearing up the existing foundation and starting over.”

His brow furrowed. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. Not at all.” I ran my fingers through his thick brown hair. “This means I can make a few modifications to the house plan. Like adding another garage bay and making room for a large work bench and tool chests.” Gazing down at him, I waited for a response.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.

Had I pushed too far? I hadn’t expected silence as an answer. “Or we could leave the garage as it is and put in an outbuilding if that would be better. There is plenty of space for that.”

He pulled my hand to his lips. “We?”

“I want your input on the plan. Help me decide on the layout ofourdream house.”

Sherlock bounded up, running right over Eli.

“Whoa, boy.” He shifted to a sitting position. “I love the idea of adding another garage bay. And the floorplan you had was great, but I’ll give it some thought. For me, my dream home needs one thing.”

“What’s that?”

Eli shifted to one knee as he reached into his pocket. “Psst, Sherlock.”

That puppy sat up on his haunches beside Eli.

“Shasta Delaney Carter, I’ve rehearsed this question a hundred times because I knew nerves would make it hard to say what my heart wants. Will you make my dreams come true and be mywife, mylover, and myforever?” He flipped open the ring box in his hand.

Sherlock barked, still posing in his often-used begging stance.

“Yes! Oh my gosh, I almost don’t know who to hug first.” I shifted to my knees and kissed Eli.

As Eli slid the solitaire onto my finger, Sherlock licked my face.

“Sherlock and I are both very happy with your answer.” Eli sat down and pulled me into his lap. “I love you, Delaney.”

I’d heard those words from him many times, but they sounded sweeter today. “I love you too.”

Sherlock pushed his way into my lap and licked both our faces.

This was my family.

When another butterfly flitted by, Sherlock ran off in pursuit.

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