Her gaze flew to his. She swallowed, then cleared her throat. “Toes curl?”
He nodded.
“All of them?” she squeaked.
“Oh yeah.”
She fanned herself, then wiped her hands on her shorts. “Um. Wasn’t there a question you asked me, a moment ago, when my back was turned?”
He nodded again.
She put her hands on her hips. “Don’t you think you should ask again? Face-to-face?”
“No.”
Her eyes widened. She started to turn away.
He stood.
She froze and stared in wonder as he dropped down on one knee on the dock.
“I think I should ask it down here, do this the right way, on bended knee.” He opened the box and tilted it so the ring would catch the light.
She pressed a hand to her throat. “You stood on your own. No cane. And you’re on one knee. I don’t understand.”
“By the grace of God, when Lowe stabbed me, it knocked the bullet loose instead of into my spine. The doctors were able to extract it. And I’ve been doing everything the therapists ordered me to do. I’m not pain-free yet. But there’s a good chance I will be. Eventually.”
Her expression turned sad. “Are you in pain right now, Bryson?”
He shook his head. “No. And it’s not because of tequila.”
“Scotch?”
“Pain pills. Like I said, I’m following doctor’s orders this time. No self-medicating with alcohol. No more skipping rehab appointments. And even though I hate how the pills make me feel, I wanted to be able to do this without grimacing. So I’m all doped up and feeling good. Now, about that question I asked—”
“The ring is beautiful,” she breathed, stepping closer and eyeing the box again. “But not half as beautiful as you, you frustrating, stubborn man.”
He smiled as he pulled the ring out of its bed of velvet. “I wanted something special, something as unique as you.”
She moved even closer, then pressed her hand against her chest. “Opals. And diamonds. And rubies. I love opals and rubies. How did you know?”
“All those calls to your mom and dad weren’t for nothing.”
“Sneaky.”
“Necessary. I wanted to surprise you. You just confirmed that you love opals and rubies. Diamonds too I hope?”
She rolled her eyes. “Everyone loves diamonds. Or they should. I couldn’t ask for anything more beautiful. Thank you.” She held out her left hand.
He poised the ring in front of her finger. But before sliding it on, he looked up, meeting her gaze. “It’s selfish of me to even ask you to marry me, because I think you could do a lot better. But I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I love you, Teagan Ray. I think I loved you the moment you knocked on my door and the only word you could get out was hi.” He grinned. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”
“Are you kidding? Put the ring on already.”
He laughed and slid the ring onto her finger. Then he stood.
Tears glittered in her eyes as she put her hands on his shoulders. “I can’t believe you’re standing here like this. I’m so happy for you.”
“No happier than me, that you said yes. I wasn’t sure how this was going to go.”
