“You can stay with the owner of The Fairy Forest after everyone leaves. We could create a little magic of our own and no one would know.”
Harrison laughed. “I like the way your mind works.” He spun her around and whispered in her ear, “Mix and mingle. I’ll meet you beside the chocolate fountain in an hour.”
Daniella checked the time and grinned. That was one meeting she didn’t want to miss.
* * *
Two weeks later,Harrison parked outside Daniella’s house. He glanced at the rolled-up house plans on the passenger seat, feeling a surge of nervous excitement at the thought of her reaction.
Checking his phone, he sent a quick text to his dad and waited for his reply. He’d done everything he could to make the next hour something Daniella would remember. As long as his family and Daniella’s didn’t forget what they’d discussed, it’d be fine.
As soon as his dad texted back to say they were in place, he took a deep breath to calm his racing heart and stepped out of the truck.
After glancing at the house beside Daniella’s, he walked up to her front door.
Daniella welcomed him with a warm smile, a hint of curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “This is a nice surprise. Are you here as my landlord or my boyfriend?”
Harrison held up the plans. “It’s a little of both. I have a surprise for you.”
“Come into the kitchen. The coffeepot’s still hot.” Daniella frowned at the rolled-up tube. “Is BioTech adding some more activities to the adventure camp?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” Harrison placed the plans on the kitchen table. “Do you remember when I asked if you were interested in buying this house?”
Daniella nodded. “I said it’d be too expensive and would cost too much to repair.” Her gaze dropped to the plans. “Are they what I think they are?”
“They might be.” Harrison spread out the plans on the table. Daniella leaned over them, her initial bewilderment shifting to wonder as she took in the intricate details of the new house design.
“I can’t believe it. All the ideas I had for improving the layout are here. How did you get these done so quickly?”
“Levi had already seen the house and given you a price for some repairs. I just added to what you’d discussed with him.”
“You’ve been planning this?” she asked, her voice tinged with awe.
“We’ve been working on it since I bought the house,” Harrison confessed. “I wanted to create a home that’s ours from the ground up. Take a look.”
Daniella traced the lines of the drawing, her fingers pausing over the spacious living area, the extra bedrooms, and the promise of a sun-drenched kitchen. “It’s beautiful, Harrison. Each room will have an incredible view of the lake. Let me know when you want me to move out. I don’t want to get in your way.”
Harrison’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s not why I’m showing you the plans. The last thing I want is for you to leave.”
Daniella frowned. “So you aren’t starting the remodel soon?”
“One of Levi’s construction crews can start in two months. They’re hoping to have it finished by next April.”
She studied the plans, the changes that would double the size of the current house. “I’ll need to find somewhere else to live while the house is being remodeled. Both bedrooms are being demolished and the kitchen’s in a completely different location.”
Harrison took her hand. “I was hoping you’d stay with me. And after Levi’s finished remodeling this house, I’d like it to be our home.”
Daniella’s breath caught, and she looked up at him, searching his eyes for the answers to her next questions. “You mean, move in with you? As in, permanently?”
Harrison nodded and pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. Dropping to one knee, he opened the box and said, “From the first moment I met you, I knew you were special. I love you, Daniella. I can't imagine my life without you in it. You’re my best friend, my love, and my everything. Will you marry me and be my partner for life?”
For a heartbeat, the world stood still, and then Daniella’s answer filled the room, carried on a breath of laughter and tears. “Yes, Harrison, I’ll marry you.”
He couldn’t speak as he took the solitaire diamond ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. Instead, he stood and pulled her into his arms, kissing her with all the love inside him.
A knock on the front door made him sigh. Their families were early.
Daniella frowned. “I wonder who that could be.”
