Page 92 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

She freed Evie, who climbed out of the SUV and ran toward the stairs. Hazel followed, wondering why Callum was here. She saw him get out of the truck as they approached. Evie veered away from the stairs.

“Evie!” Callum crouched and wrapped his arms around her as she crashed into him.

“You said you were gonna come get me,” Evie said, small arms looping around his neck as she leaned back to look at his face.

“I’m sorry. That’s why I’m here now.” He looked at Hazel.

She saw pure adoration for Evie’s sweet charm.

“And I also came to have a word with your mother.”

&n

bsp; Evie glanced back at Hazel.

“Let’s go inside.” Hazel walked to the stairs and Callum carried Evie up them. Inside, she felt she no longer belonged in this tiny place. She still wasn’t sure she would be comfortable living in a mansion with all of Callum’s family, or if she would get used to having so much money—that was, if he did love her.

He put Evie down and told her to go find them a good movie. She trotted to the living room.

Hazel faced Callum, prepared for anything. He was gentleman enough to make sure he talked to her personally about any decisions he had made.

He took her hands in his. “This last month with you has been more than eye-opening, Hazel.”

“For me, as well.”

“First I want to start off by saying I am nothing like Evie’s father. I don’t run from difficult situations or circumstances.”

“I know that about you.” He would face her and break things off ethically and with integrity.

“I’m rich like he was, probably richer, because of my family.”

She nodded, lowering her eyes.

“But I have never lied to you, nor will I ever.”

She returned her gaze to him. This was beginning to sound like he had no intention of breaking things off between them. Hope flared and her heart began to pound with responding emotion.

“You helped me through dealing with Annabel’s death. And talking to my sister today made me realize that even though it’s only been a month, I’ve fallen in love with you.”

She couldn’t believe her ears.

“That’s why...” He got down on one knee and then let go of her hands to dig into his pocket.

No way. He wasn’t...

He pulled out a ring box. “Now, I don’t want you to feel rushed.” He looked up at her and opened the box to reveal a sapphire and diamond ring. The sapphires were about a karat between them and surrounded by smaller diamonds. A man with his money could have gotten her something gaudy and blatantly expensive. But he knew her. He knew she wouldn’t have appreciated anything like that.

“You pick the date, but will you marry me?”

Tears stung her eyes. This was the happiest day of her life! “When did you...”

“I stopped at the jewelry store on the way here. I knew you were going to get Evie so I had plenty of time. I guessed on the size.”

She stared at the ring, loving it enormously.

“You haven’t answered my question,” he said.

She glanced at Evie, who was oblivious to this monumental moment. Hazel didn’t have to worry she wouldn’t approve. She was already treating Callum like her stepfather.

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