Page 94 of Saving Her Heart
"To the puppy not eating the ring," Reid finishes.
We drink, and I feel the nerves settle slightly. These idiots have all been through this and survived. I can do this.
The next day, everything almost falls apart before it begins. The closing gets delayed because of a paperwork issue, and we don't get the keys until four PM instead of noon. That gives me exactly three hours to set everything up before Kendall gets there at seven.
Hudson and Kane show up to help, because that's what brothers do.
"Where do the lights go?" Hudson asks, holding a box of string lights.
"Everywhere," I say. "The tree, the porch, around the dinner area. I want it to look magical."
"On it," Kane says, grabbing a ladder.
While they handle the lights, I set up the table Declan dropped off earlier. White tablecloth, her grandmother's chinaI secretly borrowed from our apartment, candles in hurricane lamps so the wind won't blow them out.
"Flowers are here!" Kate calls out, arriving with three bouquets of peonies—Kendall's favorites.
"You're a lifesaver," I tell her.
"I also brought backup food in case something happens to the Italian," she says, holding up containers. "And Grace is on puppy pickup duty."
"The puppy!" I check my phone. "She should be here soon."
As if on cue, Grace arrives with a wiggling bundle of golden fur.
"One ring-bearing puppy, as requested," she announces, setting the puppy down.
The puppy immediately runs to the newly planted flowers and starts digging.
"No!" I lunge for the dog, scooping it up. "Not the flowers!"
"Maybe keep him inside until the actual moment?" Kate suggests.
"Her," I correct. "It's a girl."
"She's adorable," Grace says, scratching the puppy's ears. "Kendall's going to die."
"Hopefully in a good way," I mutter.
My phone buzzes. A text from Kendall.
Kendall: Leaving work now! Can't wait to see our house!
"Twenty minutes," I announce. "Everyone out except the puppy."
"You good?" Hudson asks, finishing with the lights.
I look around the backyard. The lights twinkle in the approaching dusk, the table is set perfectly; the food is stayingwarm in containers, and somewhere in the house, there's a puppy with a ring box attached to her collar.
"I'm good," I say, though my hands are shaking slightly.
"You've got this," Kane says, clapping me on the shoulder. "She loves you. She bought a house with you. The yes is guaranteed."
"Nothing's guaranteed," I say.
"Her yes is," Kate says firmly. "Trust me. She's been doodling 'Mrs. Masterson' in her planner for weeks."
"Really?" I ask, hope flooding through me.
