Page 115 of Matchmaking the Rival

"Wait a second. He sent you pictures? Why didn't you show them to me?" I asked.

"I wanted you to see it outright."

"Oh, wait. Is this a wraparound porch?"

His face lit up with a smile. "Yeah, it is."

I walked from one end of the porch to the other, taken aback. "Oh my God. This is absolutely beautiful. I can see us throwing family parties here.”

Cade chuckled. "Want to see the inside too? Or we can buy it just based off the porch if that's what you want."

Grinning, I went back to the door. "Let's go inside."

The second he opened the door, I knew why he'd said he had a good feeling. The place had such beautiful character. It was a dark gray day in Boston, and still the house seemed full of light. It had enormous french windows, which I adored.

The living, dining, and kitchen area were one huge space. I could already see it full of both of our families.

"I think everyone would fit in here," I said.

"I'm sure they would.”

“Let's check upstairs," I said. The house had four bedrooms and en suite bathrooms. "Wow. I mean, I'm not even sure if we'll need all the bedrooms."

He wiggled his eyebrows. "We can make good use of all of them. Didn’t you say you wanted three kids?"

I blushed but grinned.

As we came back down to the first floor, I glanced into the backyard. There were old fir trees on the property. A sense of peace washed over me as I took them in.

"Want to take a walk?" Cade asked.

"Sure. I can't believe there are even two fir trees," I said, clapping my hands and looking around.

"I bet you can do a lot with them at Christmas."

I smiled sheepishly. "I was just thinking about that. How did you know?"

"Because you're mine, Meredith. Mine to love and make happy. Look at that smile. I'm so proud to be your man."

Tears threatened to spill, but I forced them back, even though they were happy tears.

“Cade, I love you so much."

"I love you, too, babe." He squeezed my hand as we walked under the fir trees. "So, what are you thinking?"

"I think this is our place."

"I think so too. It's the one." His voice was soft. "You're the one, Meredith."

As if in a haze, I realized what was going on at the same time that he lowered himself in front of me on one knee. He reached into his pocket and took out a ring box. I hadn't even noticed the bulge in his coat.

"You're the one, Meredith," he repeated. His voice was stronger now but still soft and full of emotions, and I... well, I was completely overwhelmed. My pulse raced, my stomach cartwheeled, and my knees weakened. And those tears? They threatened to spill over again. "I want to make a home with you. I want us to be together every day and every night. Will you do me the honor of growing old next to me? I promise to love you every single day while we build a life together."

"Yes, yes. I want to be your wife, Cade." I swallowed past the lump of emotion in my throat. The ring looked a bit like a flower. It had a round diamond in the center and several triangular ones around it, like small leaves. It fit me perfectly.

I put my hands on Cade's shoulders and then bent at the waist, pressing my lips to his. The kiss was soft at the beginning, but then he deepened it, tugging me downward. Then I was on my knees, too, and we were kissing like two teenagers.

I couldn't believe it. I was with the man I loved, and we were about to buy the house of our dreams.

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