“Gee”— Reese mocks her stepsister—“I wonder who that could be?”
“Let’s check it out.” Ace slaps Gavin over the shoulder, and I shoot him a half-smile in a lame attempt to warn him.
We head out, following Ace in a thick crowd until we hit the lake. Exactly where I asked him to lead us.
Another gunshot blast goes off overhead, and this time we see it as the earth trembles beneath our feet. A brilliant explosion lights up the sky as, one by one, the residents of Loveless emerge from their dwellings.
“Fireworks? In December?” Demi’s mouth falls open in awe as she tips her head to the sky.
Kennedy dives her arms into my jacket. “Who would be insane enough to do that?”
At least she didn’t use the word foolish. I kind of like insane. It fits just a little.
The fireworks display goes off, filling the night sky with purples and blues, reds and greens—an entire spectacular shower of sparkling white. It’s as if the stars are dripping to the earth—as if all of creation is requested to pay attention to what comes next. Then it happens, slowly the letters emerge, and the crowd begins to read aloud the message that transpires before us.
“Will you”—Kennedy whispers the words as they appear in the sky—“marry me” She pauses to sigh. “Aw, that’s so sweet.”
My heart thumps because there’s more, and I’m not seeing it.
Then in a quick burst, a fit of nuclear energy much like the woman I love, the remaining word appears.
“Kennedy?” She takes in a sharp breath. “Oh my, God. Is thatme? That’s me!”
The crowd cheers and turns toward us as I drop to my knee on the frozen ground.
I hold up the ring I’ve been warming with my fingers all night, a solitaire, cushion cut, clear, flawless just like the woman I’m presenting it to.
“Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” I look straight into Kennedy’s eyes as they outshine the stone in my hand.
“Yes!” She breaks down into tears and falls over me. “A million times yes.”
Music kicks in from a live band on the terrace of my uncle’s home.
“How about we dance?” I pull her to her feet and hold her body close to mine.
Kennedy bows her head, looking up at me from over a forest of lashes.
“I believe you asked me that in this exact same spot not too long ago.”
“You remember?” Those were the first words I said to her a few months back. “I’m hoping you’ll have a different answer.”
“I do have a different answer.” She takes up my hand as our bodies adhere to one another. “The answer is”—her steely gaze bears hard into mine—“you may have every dance from here until I take my very last breath.”
“And then we’ll be dancing in eternity because that’s where I’ll be waiting for you.”
Tears stream down her face, slow, long tracks that I gently wipe away.
“I love you.” I pull back and drink down her beauty. The spray of stars, the glistening lake, none of it compares to Kennedy.
“I love you, Caleb McCarthy.” She offers a white-hot kiss that stings right down to my soul. “And that’s no lie.”
I hold her right there, warming her to me, loving her with my mouth over hers.
We made it. We swam through hell and came up on the other side. There is nothing we can’t do together. I’m sure that for the rest of our lives new surprises, new adventures lie just beyond the horizon, and I can’t wait to experience each and every one with this amazing woman. I’m up for this wild ride called life with Kennedy by my side.
She grazes my cheek with her teeth. “How about in a little while we head in, and I show you how grateful I am for all you’ve done for me—all you’re about to do to me.” She bats her lashes. “It’s your call tonight. Against the door? On the sofa? In the kitchen? Wet and wild? Tying me to the four-poster upstairs? What’s it going to be, counselor? Any way you want it—all night long, I’m game.”
“How about we charter new territory?”
