Page 84 of A Chance at Forever
The warmth of Rusty’s body seeped into hers, and Victoria grew drowsy. Then, out of the blue, “Tori, will you marry me?” Rusty reached into a nightstand drawer and removed a small black velvet box. He flicked it open, and she gasped. A half-carat, princess-cut diamond solitaire glittered in the firelight. “Marrying you has been on my mind for months. In fact, I was planning to propose before I ended up in the hospital. I was going to take you to one of those quaint bed and breakfast inns north of San Francisco and get down on one knee to ask the most beautiful woman in the world to marry me. This isn’t how I envisioned proposing, but…”
She cut him off with an ecstatic, lip-smacking kiss. “It’s the perfect proposal. Spontaneous. Cozy. No spectators, only the two of us. Will you put the ring on my finger?” Victoria held out her trembling hand. Rusty slid the diamond on her finger and kissed her palm. She let out a deep sigh. “It’s the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen given to me by the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met. The man I love with my entire heart and soul.”
She tucked her head under his arm, and he kissed her. “Tori, I don’t think we should wait to get married. I want you and our baby to have my name, my money, and my property. I’m sorry I can’t give you the wedding of your dreams, but the sad reality is I may not…”
“Rusty Sinclair, have you forgotten you’re speaking to the former president of Research and Development at Lockridge Cosmetics? I have connections and can make things happen like that.” She snapped her fingers to prove her point. “I’mgoing to giveusthe wedding of our dreams.” She pulled up the calendar on her cell phone and tilted her head. “In two weeks you’re going to meet me at the church.”
“Two weeks?”
“Yes, in two weeks. Put it on your calendar.”
“On one condition, Tori.”
“Oh? What?”
“Two conditions, actually. First, I must be able to stand next to you at the altar on my own two feet. I’ve got demanding work ahead of me to regain my strength, and I’ll need your help.”
“Okay. What’s the second condition?”
“Bud is the ring bearer.”
Victoria laughed as Bud lifted his head andwoofedhis approval. “Is it okay if we call our friends and tell them the good news?”
Rusty hesitated a moment. “Sure. I owe the guys an apology, anyway.”
She started a video chat, and when Jonica and Mia and the guys all joined, she exclaimed, “It’s official! Rusty and I are getting married!” Victoria wiggled her ring finger in front of the cell phone screen.
The women laughed and cried as their husbands congratulated Rusty. When the banter died down, he began to apologize for his inconsiderate behavior, but both Steve and Danny stopped him.
“Forget it, man. We’re glad that you and Tori are together and you’re engaged. It’s about time you took the plunge.” Steve grinned.
“You know we’ve been plotting this ever since you moved to Marysville,” Danny added.
Rusty chuckled. “I know. Not even you two could have arranged for us to meet the way we did.”
“When’s the wedding?” Jonica asked.
Victoria and Rusty grew sober. “In two weeks,” she replied. “Will all of you be able to attend? We’re going to need bridesmaids and groomsmen.”
“We’ll make it happen,” Mia assured them.
After they said goodbye to their friends, Victoria and Rusty called their families to share their engagement. Richard, Victoria’s brothers, and Rebecca voiced their congratulations and their support and love for the couple.
At the end of their conversation, Rusty said, “There’s a problem, Tori. You haven’t saidyes.”
She laughed and kissed him. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
On Sunday, Alex and his wife Misty came out to the ranch for lunch. Alex and Misty expressed their warm wishes for the couple, and after they ate, Misty took Victoria into Denver to shop for her wedding gown at a special boutique. One of Misty’s friends owned it, and she was happy to help Victoria choose the perfect dress.
Victoria missed this tradition with her best friends, but she missed her mother more. She and Catherine had dreamed of this moment when they would choose Victoria’s wedding gown together. She’d miss her mother playing the “Wedding March” as she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm, too. But she and Misty bonded with ease, and Victoria enjoyed modeling different gowns until she found the perfect one—a stunning, strapless creation with a beaded pearl bodice that tapered into a flowing silk skirt. She chose a cathedral veil that complemented the bodice of her gown, dainty lingerie, and glittery dress sandals with modest heels. The dress needed slight alterations, and Misty’s friend promised she’d have them finished in three or four days.
“If you don’t mind, Misty, I could use your help finding a good florist. I also want to go to the Grand Hotel and book one of its ballrooms for the reception. The hotel will cater it, too, so that’s one less thing to worry about.” Victoria checked the list she’d made on her cell phone. “I also need to contact the minister at West Bend Baptist Church. Rusty said he’ll take care of the wedding rings. Is there anything I’ve forgotten?”
“Music. Do you want a DJ or a band at the reception?”
“DJ. Know anyone?”
“I do. Let me take care of that for you. Also, I’ll host a bridal shower for you when your friends arrive.”
