Page 47 of Sweet Christmas Wish
“For what?”
“For helping me decorate. I mean, I know I thanked you before, but I want you to know I really mean it. It’s a big job, and I really appreciate your help.”
Derek paused, setting the garland down on the staircase tread and leaning down to give her a kiss. He ran his thumb across her jaw, looking into her eyes.
“I’m happy to do it. Working with you doesn’t feel like work, Lacy Preston.”
“I was just thinking the same thing about you,” she murmured.
Derek leaned down and kissed her once more. “Go, team.”
“Go, team,” she repeated, then straightened. “Let’s finish this garland?”
“You got it.”
In no time at all, the grand staircase was festooned with the beautiful garland and it was time to head to the ballroom to work on the centerpieces for the tables that circled the edge of the dance floor. Lacy had planned the centerpieces herself: a beautiful, real pine wreath with sprigs of holly and cranberries decorating it with a lantern in the center. When all the candles inside the lanterns were lit on the night of the party, it would look magical. Lacy quickly explained her vision to Derek, who nodded.
“Sounds easy enough. Hey, would you mind grabbing me some spools of ribbon? I was thinking we should put a bow on the tops of the lanterns.”
“Sure. Where’s the ribbon?”
“It’s the second box from the left by the grand staircase.”
Lacy turned and hurried down the hall to hunt for the right box. She found it and reached inside to grab some ribbon when she stopped and gasped, her heart thundering in her chest. There, nestled in the ribbon, was an open ring box with a diamond ring glinting inside. Lacy whirled around to find that Derek had followed her and, seeing that she had found his surprise, he sank down on one knee, his eyes beginning to glisten with the first hint of tears, even as he smiled up at her.
“Derek?” she whispered. She couldn’t believe it was finally happening.
“Lacy Preston, you came into my life in such an unexpected way a year ago. Who would’ve thought when I almost ran you over with my sled dogs that I was about to meet the love of my life?”
She laughed a little, her hand over her mouth.
“You mean everything to me. Everything. All I want to do with the rest of my life is try to make you as happy as you make me.” He swallowed, reaching for her hands and grasping them tightly. “Lacy Preston, will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?”
Lacy couldn’t speak, could barely breathe. All she could think was,Yes! A thousand times, yes!
She had known he was going to propose, but here and now in the moment it was even more perfect than she could imagine. She hadn’t expected him to propose that day, but it was absolutely perfect.
He’d picked a time when she wasn’t expecting it, a moment in their lives that perfectly encapsulated exactly why she loved him so much—the two of them working together, having fun just doing something ordinary. A day full of him helping and supporting her. Everything about this day pointed to why he was the man for her.
And she loved that he hadn’t done some big, splashy public proposal. Secretly, she had always hated those. They put the woman on the spot and pressured her. Besides, she had always thought it should be an intimate, private moment, just like what he was doing now.
“Lacy?” Derek was starting to look a little nervous.
Lacy blinked. “Did I not answer you?”
Derek shook his head, and Lacy couldn’t help but laugh, barely more than a breath, even as tears filled her eyes.
“Oh, I did in my mind! Derek Morse, yes, of course I will marry you!”
Derek rose from his knee and pulled her into his arms, spinning her around as she threw back her head and laughed. He set her down, holding the back of her neck with one hand as he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her, long and sweet. When they finally separated, it took a moment for Lacy to catch her breath.
“Do you want to put on your ring?” he asked, and Lacy blinked.
“Right! I’d completely forgotten.”
Derek grabbed the ring box and pulled out the ring, sliding it onto her finger. “I hope you like it, my love.”
Lacy held out her hand, watching the diamond sparkle in the light. “It’s perfect. I love it!” She reached up with her newly diamond-adorned hand and held his cheek before pressing a kiss to his lips. “You picked out the perfect ring.”
