She smiled as the front door opened.
Noah walked toward her. It had been two weeks since she’d seen him, but it felt like a lifetime.
Her gaze wandered over his trousers and jacket. “Have I told you how handsome you look in a suit?”
“I wore it especially for you.” He held her in his arms and kissed her until she was breathless. He chuckled when she snuggled into his chest. “I thought you would have asked me if I’d forgotten to pack my jeans.”
“You don’t forget very much,” she said with a smile.
“Not usually. Come with me.” He held onto Cassie’s waist and led her around the corner of the house.
Another gust of wind lifted her hair off her shoulders. “Isn’t it too cold to be going for a walk?”
“We’re not going far.”
“That’s what you said the last time we went for a hike.” Cassie looked around the backyard. At some stage over the next few days she’d need to weed the garden and maybe trim the hedge. But if they didn’t go inside soon, she wouldn’t be doing any gardening. They would both catch a nasty cold. “Okay, Noah. Where are we going and why aren’t you negotiating the big contract you told me about?”
“We’re walking toward the middle of the backyard. And I have staff who are negotiating the contract.”
Cassie reached up and laid her hand on Noah’s forehead. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Not at the moment, but hopefully I will be in the next few minutes. Close your eyes, Cassie.”
“Are you going to show me the constellations?”
“Not tonight. The only one I remember is Taurus and I don’t know if he’s in the sky at the moment. Close your eyes.”
She closed her eyes. “Sometimes you say the strangest things.”
“It will soon make sense.”
Cassie didn’t know if she believed him. It wasn’t like Noah to be so serious. She felt him move beside her. “What’s happening?”
Noah turned her away from her cottage. “You can open your eyes now, but don’t look over your shoulder.”
She pretended to turn around.
Noah growled.
“Okay.” She laughed. “I promise to behave myself.” A flash of light lit the backyard. At least the steady glow meant she could see Noah’s face. But how on earth had he turned on the lights? “Can you please show me why you brought me out here before we get frostbite?”
Noah lowered one knee to the ground.
Cassie was confused. “What are you—”
He took a rectangular jewelry case out of his pocket.
“I don’t understand.”
Noah cleared his throat and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Cassie. My life wouldn’t be the same without you. When you smile, the whole world seems brighter. When I’m with you, the issues weighing heavily on my mind became less important, and the dreams I’ve pushed to one side are within reach. Cassie Harper, will you marry me?”
She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Noah’s face turned as white as his shirt.
Cassie held his hands and pulled him to his feet. “That’s not a no.”
“Does that mean it’s a yes?”
