There almost wasn’t a better present than that, except…
“There’s one more thing,” I said, working my way out of the nest she and I had made among all the presents. “Be right back.”
As I headed to my bedroom, Addie closed in on my spot, already wearing the heart pendant Magnolia had given her and carrying the horse from her pet salon. The pendant was silver with Addie’s birth stone in the middle. My daughter adored it and Magnolia’s suggestion that she could always touch her necklace and remember how much she was loved by everyone in this room.
Once in my room, I tuned out their conversation, my heart pounding and my mind drowning with what I was about to do.
Was it too soon? Had we known each other for two months or eighteen years—or nearly our whole lives? All were true in different ways, of course, but for me it felt like a lifetime so far.
I wanted more.
I opened the top drawer of my dresser and took out the little cloth bag. Without giving myself more time to worry, I closed my palm around it and headed back out to the living room.
As I entered the room, Magnolia’s gaze met mine, hers curious and so damn pretty, even with her drowning in my too-big sweatshirt and some leggings she’d remembered were in her car. Her hair was uncombed, her face bare of makeup, her cheeks like pink apples, and I’d never felt half as gaga about a woman as I did for her.
Instead of joining her back on the sofa, I headed toward the Christmas tree, making eye contact with my dad. He nodded, his eyes gleaming.
“Mags,” I said, then gestured with my index finger for her to come join me.
She looked over at Addie, who I hadn’t let in on my plans.
“Did you get Miss Magnolia another present, Daddy?”
“I sure did.” I reached out for Magnolia’s hand as she approached me.
Without blinking, she placed her smaller, softer hand in mine, filling my heart with hope. I closed my fingers around hers.
“You already spoiled me,” she said, grinning wide.
I hoped she felt spoiled by the spa gift certificate and the brand-new knee-high boots. I also hoped she nearly forgot all about those gifts when I presented the next one.
Letting go of her hand, I pulled the cloth bag out of my pocket, reached into it, and removed the first item.
“Hold out your arm and close your eyes,” I told her as my dad and Addie looked on.
Magnolia tilted her head, closed her eyes, then held her arm out. I rolled a friendship bracelet onto it, making sure it faced the right way.
After a quick glance at my father, who winked at me, I said, “Open your eyes.”
Grinning, she looked at the colorful bracelet I’d made using Addie’s beads. “Oh, pretty colors,” she said.
I’d gone with forest green, midnight blue, and silver, but the colors were hardly the point.
I waited as she twisted her arm to see the whole thing.
“Will you…marry me?” she read, her voice going high-pitched at the end of the question. Her gaze popped up to mine, her eyes wide and questioning. “Is this…?”
In answer, I took her hand and lowered to one knee.
“Luke…”
Still holding her hand, I lifted the other item I’d stored in the bag—a vintage white-gold engagement ring with a transitional-cut diamond flanked by three smaller diamonds on each side of the band. “I heard a rumor you’re looking for a new last name. Would you do me the honor of a lifetime by becoming Mrs. Durham?”
“Daddy!” Addie hollered, jumping up and down on the sofa. “You have to say, ‘Will you marry me?’”
I laughed and gazed up into Magnolia’s beautiful, damp eyes. “My bad. Will you marry me, Magnolia?”
“Yes!” She laughed and watched as I squeezed my eyes shut on the dampness threatening, then slid the ring on with shaking hands.
