Page 116 of Forged in Steele

He opened a ring box revealing a French-cut diamond that caught the sunlight and glittered like a star. “Will you marry me?”

“Absolutely.” She drew him to his feet and threw herself at him.

He caught her up in his powerful arms and held her tight, but then moved back and kissed her. His lips were warm and tasted of dill. She clung to him and deepened the kiss, wanting him to know in a single kiss that she loved him as much as he loved her. But she had to tell him too.

She leaned back. “I love you too, of course. More than I ever imagined I could love someone.”

He released her and gently took her hand to slide the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. How, she didn’t know and didn’t care. She turned her hand and admired the sparkling center diamond and the rows of smaller diamonds on the white gold band. “The ring is just beautiful. You have very good taste.”

“I chose you, didn’t I?” He smiled at her.

“Perfect answer.” She linked her arms around his waist. “And proves what an amazing husband you’re going to be.”

“I’m not sure I’ll get it right all the time.” His brow furrowed.

She ran a finger over it to make him relax. “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to help you.”

He tossed back his head and laughed. “Have a seat. I have a bottle of sparkling apple juice to toast with.”

He helped her sit, and she held out her hand and twisted it again, capturing the light on her ring from all angles. “I feel like a very special princess. As more of a tomboy, I don’t often feel that way.”

“You’re a princess to me.” He popped open the juice.

She smiled at him. “You’re on a roll today.”

“I know, right?” He poured two glasses of juice, the bubbles rising up the side of the fluted glass as he handed one to her. “To our future together. May we have everything your parents and grandparents have and a lifetime of creating memories together.”

She clinked glasses with him and looked around. “Have you ever considered living in the country?”

“Never.” He cocked his head. “Is that something you might want to do?”

She shrugged. “Only if we have kids. Then I think it might be great.”

“I can see that.” He set down his glass and picked up his sandwich. “You know my hours can be erratic and the drive from the Bureau office could be a problem.”

“I can see that. Just a thought. Not like we’ve even talked about where we’d live once we got married.”

“I know one place we won’t live. In the house with your sisters and cousins.” He made a sour face. “It’s been enough of a challenge to get you alone these last few weeks. If we lived there, we’d never have children.”

She laughed and clutched her side. “I would never ever propose that idea.”

She took a sip of the juice and sat back to eat the rest of her meal, just enjoying the time with Jared in the beautiful sunshine with the soft breeze playing over them and whispering through the grass. She wanted to stay here for the rest of the day, but her grandad was counting on her help.

“We should go back,” she said. “Would you mind helping me with my chores?”

“Not at all, unless you’re talking about chores like mucking out a stall or something farmy like that. Then I have to draw the line.”

“City boy,” she taunted.

“And proud of it.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him.

Their lips met again in an explosion of love. The kind of love she knew was forever. Much deeper and grander than when they’d first known each other. And she had to believe in the love that God put in her life when He brought the two of them together.

Jared released her, his gaze reluctant, but he quickly packed up the cooler and stood to help her up. “How do you want to handle the announcement? Tell people today or wait until we can tell your family alone?”

“Wait, I think.”

“Then wait it is. But you’ll have to hide your ring.”

---