Page 3 of A Triple C Ranch Christmas Wedding
Oh. There was that dream she’d had.
She hadn’t thought about it since moving out here and focusing on her jewelry business. Pausing to gather her thoughts, she answered. “I’m enjoying the jewelry design, and things are picking up here. I think, maybe, my future is in jewelry, rather than fashion design. And I’m not sure I can go back to the night club scene with cameras going off in my face. I never really liked that part. It’s quieter out here. People are nicer.”
“So, you’d be happy not going back…?” he said, as if to confirm what she’d just told him.
“As long as I’m designing jewelry, and it seems to be well received here, yes,” she said.
“You’re not going to be able to stay at that extended stay hotel forever,” he said. “It’s going to get expensive. What’s your next plan?”
Next plan?
She hadn’t made one.
What does he want me to say? What does he want? Does he want me to stay here, or to move on? I don’t know what to say to him.
He watched her so intently, she feared he’d see her sudden panic show on her face, so she tried to force her panic down. “I-I really don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t made any future plans yet.”
Noncommittal. That was the best answer.
Jack’s gaze moved away from her, and he pulled away and stood.
Oh my God. That was the wrong answer to give him. What is he doing?
Her heart was racing, but she felt frozen in place, waiting to see what he would do. Waiting to hear what he would say.
This is it. It’s over. His face is so serious. He’s going to tell me goodbye.
Instead, he got down on one knee and reached into his pocket.
Lucy gasped and clasped both her hands over her mouth, as her eyes widened.
Is he proposing?
“Lucy Woods,” Jack said. “May I have your hand in marriage?”
He is. He’s proposing.
The words registered, yet didn’t, so she remained speechless, trying to absorb what he was saying to her. Trying to absorb the sight in front of her. His expression was closed, but his eyes glittered in the starlight.
His expression turned wary, as if he was preparing for a letdown, yet he remained there, still down on one knee, waiting for her answer.
She realized she had waited too long to answer him, and that wasn’t fair to him. A rush of warmth flowed through her, and she dropped her hands immediately and reached for his. “Yes!”
He breathed in sharply, taking in her one word, and then let out a breath, just as quick.
Tears of happiness pricked in her eyes, so she had to blink hard to see him. “Oh, yes, Jack, yes, I will marry you!”
He took her left hand and slipped the engagement ring onto her finger, so smoothly, it felt as if it belonged there. And it fit perfectly.
She stood, looking down at her finger. He pushed to his feet to stand in front of her as she held out her hand. The ring was beautiful. A diamond sparkled in the center, and on each side was a deep blue sapphire set in white gold.
“It’s beautiful, Jack,” she breathed the words out. “I love it,” she said, looking up at him again, trying not to cry. “And I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart,” he said. He pulled her close for a deep kiss.
She closed her eyes and leaned closer to him as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deep and long.
Lucy forgot the chilly Montana air as they kissed and didn’t notice it had grown colder until he pulled away.
