Page 79 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

Nestled in Eli’s arms, I leaned my head on his chest. “The day of the fire when you came up behind me, I knew what home felt like. I’d worked so hard to build that house so I could have a home, but...”

His arms tightened around me.

“It’s not about the place. It’s about who is there with me. Home is about feeling like I belong and feeling cared for, and with you, that’s always true.”

“That’s true for me too. Wherever you are with me, that’s my dream home.” He kissed my forehead. “I have champagne in the cooler, but I’d have to let you go to get it.”

“It can wait. I’m enjoying this, and Sherlock looks like he’s in heaven.”

“We might have trouble getting him back into the Mule.” Eli toyed with my hair. “When would you like to get married?”

With Eli, there was no concern about being engaged for a long time without a wedding date. He wanted to marry me.

“That’s a hard question.” I laughed at his surprised reaction. “One part of me wants to go find a judge right now. The other part of me wants to plan a wedding and walk up the aisle with butterflies dancing in my stomach.”

“Let’s have a wedding. I want to stand at the front, holding my breath as you make your way toward me. How long will it take to plan that?”

If I had no other commitments, I could plan it in a matter of weeks, but running a business meant I wouldn’t have as much time to plan. “Four months?”

“January sounds like a great time for a wedding.”

“Make sure your parents are okay with that, and that you can get leave.” I ticked through all the people I needed to talk to about marking off those days.

“My parents will be there no matter what day we choose. What about your parents?” Eli brushed his whiskers along my cheek.

“I’ll call my dad tonight. You can meet him over the phone. I’m not even sure how to get in touch with my mom.” Mixed emotions about my complicated family prompted tears.

“Do you want her at the wedding?” His voice was soft.

“As crazy as it sounds, I do. But I won’t be crushed if she’s not there. The day is really about us... and our future.” I patted his chest. “Now that I’m not thinking about those stupid rules, I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to my mom.”

“Speaking of those rules, please... pretty please will you model the merchandise for me after the wedding?”

“Eli darling, I already know what I’ll be wearing the first night of our honeymoon. It won’t be my flannel nightgown.”

He danced his eyebrows. “Let’s revisit the idea of finding a judge right now.”

Shaking my head, I poked him in the side. “You have to be patient.”

Eli and I stayed wrapped in each other’s arms as the sun sank toward the horizon.

Then I scanned the small meadow. “Where’s Sherlock?”

Eli stood and whistled. Grass rustled as the puppy made his way back to the blanket. “It’s getting too dark for you to wander. What about a treat?” Before walking toward the Mule, Eli stopped near the trunk of the tree and reached up to where a large branch met the trunk. Twinkle lights came on. The lower branches were filled with them.

“I’d meant to turn these on earlier. In case you haven’t figured it out, I came over here earlier to set up our spot.”

“This is very romantic. I guess that means you didn’t ask me just because I brought up changing the plan for the house.”

“No, I’ve had the ring a while. In fact”—he shook his head—“I’ve just been waiting until the timing felt right.”

“What? You can’t start to say something and not tell me.”

“Look, Delaney, it’s not that important. Let’s just enjoy tonight.”

“Okay.” I nodded, but whatever he didn’t say was going to keep me awake tonight and distracted when I really wanted to be basking in the romance and starlight.

“While Sherlock enjoys his bone, we’ll eat and sip champagne under the lights.” He lifted the cooler out of the back. “You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you?”

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