Page 44 of One Heartbeat Away

We both were.

“I don’t even have the ring with me, dammit.”

Her smile widened. “Just ask me!”

“How’s tomorrow sound?”

“Ripley.” Her voice was filled with sunshine.

“How’s next week sound?”

“Ripley.” This time, it was low and filled with every promise I never dared to wish for.

“How does forever sound?” I lifted her off her feet, so our faces lined up.

“With you?”

“With me. Will you marry me, Mercy Elizabeth Hart?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

I swung her around and her laugh filled the empty field. “Still not going to answer.”

“Yes. Every day, it’ll be a yes, Ripley.”

I set her down and framed her face with my hands. “You’re damn right.”

And I kissed her in the sunshine.

In the field where I was damn well going to marry her before the summer was over.

Because I couldn’t wait to start forever with her.