Page 17 of Stitch's Mercy

“Yes. My mistake.” He watched my feet. “You’re doing fantastic. Let me pull you a little.”

I bobbed my head and held my breath.

“Should I spin you?”

“No! Not if you want to live to see tomorrow.”

“I definitely want to live to see tomorrow, so no spinning.” He chuckled. “We need some music.” He released one of my hands and took out his phone again. Instantly, Christmas music started playing.

I dialed in, not recognizing the song until… “Are you serious right now? The main song fromThe Grinch? You’re so rotten!”

Brady belly laughed, his cheeks turning red. “Baby, Faith Hill is a phenomenal singer, and I thought it would be romantic.”

“Liar! You were teasing me. Romantic is ‘Wrapped in Red’ by Kelly Clarkson.” The goofball was getting me worked up. There aren’t many Christmas songs I can tolerate listening to since my brother’s death. “Wrapped in Red” had a different vibe compared to all the traditional songs playing this time of year. Plus, it had me thinking of one jolly, handsome doctor, and it was also why I was wearing a red knitted hat and scarf.

Brady raised his cell phone and tapped the screen once, and my favorite song began.

“How did you know?” Emotion bubbled in my throat. I was a little worried he had listened to the lyrics and knew it was a ballad I’d deemed for him.

“Sweetheart, I listen when you talk in the breakroom and everywhere else.” He moved closer to me but not too close, or I’d surely fall on my ass.

And then he began singing the song as he steered me on the ice.

My heart would most definitely burst. “Brady, I think I’m going to faint.”

“Just breathe, sweetheart.”

“But this song is—”

“I know, my love. Risk it all and don’t be afraid to fall.” He slowed us, and once I stopped, Brady lowered to one knee.

“What are you doing?” Tears filled my eyes and blurred my vision. But I could make out the square red box and the look of hope on his face.

“Mercy Kolter…”

“Oh, God.” My bottom lip trembled.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No!”

He chuckled and continued. “I’ve been in love with you since our first time in the supply closet.”

“That’s over two years ago!”

“Yeah, I know. You’re a tough nut to crack.” He snorted and shook his head. “In all seriousness, you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, and no one could ever hold a candle to you. I’ve learned a lot about you in the past twenty-four hours, and I want to spend the rest of my life learning everything that makes you you. Will you marry me, Mercy Kolter, and finally put me out of my misery?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”

Brady slipped the ring on my finger and the pear-shaped diamond sparkled like the Northern Star. “It’s a perfect fit.”

“It’s gorgeous. Breathtaking. More than I ever imagined I’d get when I fantasized.” I couldn’t tear my gaze off it.

“Who was your fantasy man?”

“You, silly.” I reached for his jacket collar and lost my balance. “Ah!” My feet slipped and shuffled on the ice the way a person in a movie would do, feet going this way and that way. My body rocking forward and backwards. Arms flailing in the air, trying to grab something before they fell. “I’m going down!”

“Not the right choice of words at a time like this!” Brady fought to grab my arms and just when I thought I was a goner, we went down together. My handsome, strong, protective fiancé hit the ice first, and I landed on him.

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