Page 90 of Love on the Line

Everything surrounding Wyatt blurred as she gazed into his eyes, her pulse racing to the point of making her dizzy.

“I’ve lived in a fantasy world, experiencing everything on the surface, with nothing solid in my life. You’re my anchor. You’ve shown me what it means to be grounded and real. You make me…feel.” He patted his chest. “That picture of Maddie and Scott? I want that for us.”

Anne’s breath hitched, and tears misted her vision.

“When we first met, you told me you wanted to take things slow. There’s no rush, but I’m ready to commit.” Wyatt opened the box lid and held it out. “I’ve probably blindsided you, but I love you and want to know this is where we’re headed. Will you marry me?”

His eyes reflected pure love, and heat radiated from her heart. She gazed at the huge pear-shaped diamond, sparkling in the sunlight. They hadn’t talked about this. They hadn’t planned this. They hadn’t mapped out this future.

And for the first time, she didn’t care. She’d throw caution to the wind to be with him. Yes, she wanted this man in her life. He stumbled and bumbled through relationship stuff, but he never gave up. Always coming back to try again. For her.

She constantly sold herself short, thinking she wasn’t good enough. What she and Wyatt had was special. He accepted her for who she was and appreciated her, making no demands. That was love.

The box in Wyatt’s strong hand shook ever so slightly. “Anne?”

Too many thoughts whirled in her head, but she shoved them to the backseat. Not trusting her voice to speak, she nodded.

His eyes widened. “Yeah?”

“Yes. I love you.” She smiled through tears.

Letting out a huge breath, with a smile brighter than the sun, he drew the ring out from the box. She held up a trembling hand, and he slipped the ring on her finger. He tugged her down from the tailgate and wrapped his arms around her.

“I love you so much.” He stroked her back.

And at that moment, it didn’t matter that she was exhausted, wet, and emotionally drained. Everything in her world was right.

Their troubles had to be over.

---