I’m stunned breathless with my heart in my throat and a river of tears trying to gush from my eyes.
“I talked to Caleb,” he say quietly, his words thick and heavy. “Told him everything. How much I love you. What you mean to me. He gave his blessing.”
This big strong man waited for my brother’s approval before asking me to marry him.
Oh god.My heart is a flood of warm light.
“Will you marry me, River? Make me the happiest man in the world.”
I nod, my fingers trembling as I press them to my mouth, knees trembling.
“I don’t know what’s coming,” he rasps, “but I know I want it with you.”
My nodding is making me dizzy. “Yes,” I whisper. Then again, louder. “Yes.”
With a huge sigh, Diesel stands and pulls me into him, arms fierce around me.
“Thank you, sweetheart.Thank you.”
An Hour Later
Rae Lynn and Caleb are sitting on the fence watching Gunnar hunt for his ball in the tall grass when we ride back into the yard.
“Please tell me you didn’t hit on my sister,” Diesel grumbles.
“Didn’t have to, she was hitting on me.”
Rae Lynn smacks his shoulder. “Liar.”
“Maybe you should,” Caleb says, laughing, as he tips up his beer. “I might take you up on it.”
Uh oh. Diesel’s going to blow a fuse. But I’m too busy to pay attention to that because I’m frozen, watching my brother smile.
I’m jolted back to the moment, when Diesel tugs me off Shasta, kissing my neck. “Don’t get any ideas about those two.”
“What?”
“I saw the way you’re looking at them. Like we could be having a double wedding.”
I almost trip over my own boots.
“You should see your expression. I’m not sure I like that mischievous grin.” He takes Shasta’s reins. “Go on, I’ll take care of these two.”
My fiancé walks away and I can’t look away from that swagger, the totally unfair way his jeans hug all the right places.
I’ve got it so bad, I have to clear my throat.
That’s when I’m practically attacked.
Rae Lynn grabs my hand and nearly jerks me off my feet.
“What the hell is this!?!”
“Oh that.” I grin and I’m sure I look like I’m the one who has been drinking. “You know… this is a ring.”
She gasps, throws her arms in the air. “Hallelujah! He didn’t fuck this up.”
When I turn, Caleb’s watching me, but his earlier happiness is shadowed by something else.
