Page 19 of Can't Walk Away

“No waiting around anymore. I waited as long as I could stand. She’s my world, Phil, and even if you don’t give us your blessing, you gotta know I’m still asking her,” my eyes never leave his, letting him see the honesty in them.

“Yeah, I know, Jase. Just hard to believe my baby girl is now a woman. As much as it pains me to say this, I’m glad it’s you. I couldn’t have picked a better man for her to love and spend the rest of her life with,” Phil runs his hands through his hair and lets out a breath.

“Thanks, man. It means a lot to me,” I slap him on the back as I make my way inside the jewelry store.

“Doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass if you break her heart,” he grumbles. He doesn’t know it and I wouldn’t tell him before I told Cheyenne, but she owns my heart.

“Wouldn’t doubt it for a second,” we part ways and I head inside. I already know what I want for Chey. As much as I want to put a five-karat stone on her left hand so everyone can see it, she’d hate it and refuse to wear it. She’s down to earth, not one for the glitz and glamour. Cheyenne has no problem thrift store shopping even though she has the money to spend at designer stores. She says she’d rather save money for our future; our children need educations more than we need over priced items.

An associate walks towards me and introduces herself, “Hi, I’m Deidre. How can I help you today?”

“I’m Jase. I’m looking for an engagement ring,” I reply as I shake her hand. I walk over to the display case that has caught my eye.

“We have several to choose from or you could design one if you don’t find anything to your liking,” she gestures.

“Thanks,” I tell her. I’m already looking at the rings. I see a few antique looking rings I think Chey will like, but not the one that I know she’ll fall in love with. It isn’t until I go to the second display case that I find exactly what I’m looking for.

It’s perfect. It’s oval shaped and has diamonds running along the side. Silver in color and only about two karats. The wedding band is delicate. A thin ring with diamonds running around it and it’s the one. Just like Cheyenne is the one for me.

“I’ll take that one,” I point to the ring I want to see. Deidre takes it out of the display case and hands it to me. I look at it thoroughly and tell her, “I’ll take it.”

“Okay, I’ll just need a few details for the warranty, but we’ll have you out of here in no time,” she says as she boxes the ring.

“Thanks,” I fill out the paperwork that’s needed. Grab the box without the bag. I push the ring box in my pocket and turn on my heel and walk out to my truck. I have plans to make and words to speak to Cheyenne. I haven’t told her I love her yet, but I know tonight I’m going to lay it all out for her.

I head home. Thankful that our small Florida town has everything you need within a fifteen-minute distance, yet still has a small community feel and people still know one another by name.

When I pull in to our driveway, I see Cheyenne out on the front porch. She’s been adding her personal touches around the house and every time I see something new it makes me smile. Right now, she’s out watering the plants she recently potted. She says the next thing we need to look for is a front porch swing, but not just an ordinary swing. She wants something that’s almost as big as a love seat and oversized and not delicate looking.

It’s something I’ve been working on at the shop and now I know just how I’ll be proposing to her. It’ll be on our porch with the swing I build for her.

I climb out of the truck and she drops her watering can and runs straight into my arms. I pick her up and kiss her. My lips never leaving hers, she nips at my bottom lip and I thrust my tongue inside her mouth and give her the kiss I know she’s craving.

When we pull apart she’s smiling and says, “Hey, Baby.”

“That’s a hell of a welcome home, Honey,” I smile at her.

“I missed you, Jase,” her arms are wrapped around my shoulders and she’s in my arms as I hold her as close as I can. Not even a sheet of paper could fit between us.

“You’re my heart, Cheyenne,” I say.

“I love you, Jase. I have for what seems like forever,” our lips meet again and it’s me that’s devouring her just as much. “Love you with all of my heart, Honey.”

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