Page 113 of Love Overboard
He quirked his eyebrows and waved at the plane behind him. “It doesn’t only fly to Florida. I was going to have the pilot drop me off at the MSBuckingham’s next port of call.”
“Oh.”
Her lower lip jutted out a little, and Jon bent once again. He pressed his mouth to hers. Lacey rose on her toes and melted into him. His right hand cradled her neck while his thumb traced the outline of her jaw. His other hand pressed against the small of her back, urging her close.
Jon allowed a centimeter between them, his breath hitting her skin hard and fast. “I might as well go for broke. Do you think my girlfriend would consider becoming my wife? When she’s ready?”
Lacey laughed. She closed the tiny distance and kissed him again.
He eased away once more. “Is that a yes?”
She didn’t finish her first nod before his lips covered her own. They spent several seconds punctuating their agreement. A third plane thundered overhead, and the couple pulled apart.
Lacey glared at the ascending aircraft and groaned. “Why is this tiny airport so busy?”
When she lowered her gaze, Jon was holding a small black box in front of her nose. He flipped the lid to reveal a sparkling diamond ring in a shiny platinum setting.
Her snarky eyebrow lifted. “Why did you have that in your pocket? Up until a few minutes ago, I wasn’t speaking to you.”
He grinned. “I’m an optimist.”
“Are you sure you don’t just carry it around to use on anybody?”
“Not a chance.” His arm around her waist nudged Lacey tight against him. “I even had our names engraved—Jon and Lacey McMillan.”
“Lacey McMillan.” She repeated the name. “I like the sound of it.”
She held out her left hand, and Jon slid the ring on the correct finger.
He sighed when it settled into place, and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “I was worried it wouldn’t fit. I couldn’t exactly ask you what your size was.”
The weight of the ring felt unfamiliar on Lacey’s finger. She held her hand out and admired the diamond. “You did good, Mr. McMillan.”
“Thank you, soon-to-be Mrs. McMillan.” He kissed the bridge of her nose. “Come on. My plane will take us to where the ship will be docking next. We’ll probably beat it there.” He kept his arm around her waist as they walked to the waiting jet. “Am I allowed to tell the Shippers this time?”
“Oh!” Lacey moved away. “I forgot. Where’s Collins?”
“Collins? Why?” Jon tried to hold her for more cuddles.
She batted at his arms. “This is serious. The Shippers figured out—”
“Hey, what’s the delay?” Reid Collins bulldozed his way out of the plane’s narrow entrance and stomped down the stairs. “Let’s get going!”
Sirens sounded. He jerked to the side, his shoulders hunched to his ears. Mr. Eliot scurried from the jet as a dark-blue four-door truck with the wordsPolicia Federalemblazoned on the side sped up. A man in uniform climbed out and opened the rear door.
The tip of a shiny metal cane hit the ground, followed by Emily. The other Shippers spilled from the back seat.
“Oh, baby.” Althea headed for Collins. “You left without giving me a goodbye hug.”
“What?” He scrambled back as Althea advanced. “Who are you?”
She wrapped her arms around him and patted him up and down. He squirmed in her grasp, but she held firm.
Emily approached. “No use avoiding it, Mr. Collins. Althea’s serious about her hugs.”
Althea wrestled with Collins like a grandmother with an unruly child. “One good squeeze before you leave.” She stroked his stomach. “You gained a little weight on the cruise. Look at this paunch.”
He wriggled away and tugged on the hem of his sweatshirt. “That’s none of your business.”
