Jane shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a good idea.”
Noah nodded. “It is.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Four MonthsLater
It had taken everything in Noah’s control to not immediately whisk Jane away and make her his officially. He’d seen the reservation in her eyes when she’d brought up the pact, and he knew she was just trying to make him feel better.
But that had been four months ago.
Now, they were stronger than ever. She was still working at The Wounded Heroes Project in the same capacity, but now, she was also sitting in on some of the board meetings so she could give input relevant to local chapters of the charity.
They spent more time at the ranch, riding and learning the ins and outs of country living. Jane seemed to prefer her time out on the trails, especially when it meant she could take in the priceless views that surrounded them.
Neither one of them had brought up the pact since that point, and he had a feeling it was due to the strained position they’d been in the last time it came up. That reason alone was why his hands were currently shaking. He stared down at the ring inhis hand, fully prepared for the possibility that he might have a heart attack right here.
In thirty minutes, he’d be picking up Jane for their date. And in thirty minutes, he’d be telling her that he couldn’t live a second longer without swearing that he would belong to her forever.
Noah flipped the ring box shut and shoved it in his pocket. He moved to the desk in his room and picked up the folder filled with all the legal documents that he would need in order to make this proposal one she would never forget. He’d worked with his cousins to make this happen, and he knew Jane wouldn’t be able to refuse.
So why was he so nervous?
Because she was his dream girl.
She’d been his dream girl from the moment Mack had introduced them as teens. Even though he knew she loved him, there was that twinge of doubt. Was she ready to settle down with a guy like him?
Ever since his identity had been revealed to the country, his life hadn’t been nearly as private. He got more calls to attend events than he had time to commit. He’d had to hire someone to take his calls while he was working at the ranch. If Jane agreed to marry him, she’d be giving up another piece of herself to the public, and he wasn’t sure she was ready for that or even wanted it.
“Stop worrying so much. She’s going to say yes.”
Noah jumped and turned to find his cousin standing in the doorway.
At his frown, Reese chuckled. “Your mom let me in. I wanted to come by and ask for some advice. But after seeing how nervous you are right now, I’m thinking I can discuss this later.”
Noah gathered up the documents as he shot his cousin one more glance. “You saw that, huh?”
Reese grinned. “Yeah.” He jerked his chin toward where Noah had hidden the ring. “So, let’s see it.”
Noah dug his hand into his pocket and retrieved the ring box before flipping it open and turning it to show his cousin.
Rather than one large diamond, he’d picked out a ring with several small ones in an intricate design. It wasn’t flashy and wouldn’t draw much attention, but when someone took a good look at it, they’d see just how special it was.
“It’s perfect for her,” Reese mused. “She’s gonna love it.”
“You really think so?”
Reese gave him a pointed look. “Well, I mean,youknow her better than I do. But yeah, from what I know about her… it’s perfect.”
Noah stared down at the ring again and nodded with a little more certainty. “Yeah. It is.”
“Then what do you have to be so nervous about?” Reese chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. “She’s clearly in love with you. There’s no reason she’d say no.”
His words were laced with logic, and if Noah had been on the outside looking in, he would have suggested the same thing. Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—he was in the thick of it, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Jane hadturned him down since he was thirteen. Her request a few months ago didn’t count, as far as he was concerned. Still, Noah nodded and slipped the ring back into his pocket. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
It was minimal, but the frown on Reese’s face was enough to indicate that he didn’t believe Noah for a moment.
Forcing a smile, Noah attempted to change the subject. “You said you wanted advice about something?”
