Ivy beamed. “I’ll remember that.”
“Do.” She would need to remember. Sooner than she might expect, but that was another one of his surprises for her.
“Looks like the fireworks show is winding down. Though nothing can top the marriage proposal.”
Wanna bet?Nash grinned. He pulled his arm from around her and then handed her his drink.
“Hold my root beer.” He took out his cell phone and sent a text. “Just watch.”
A drumroll sounded from hidden speakers and then…
Theme-park-worthy fireworks lit up the sky over Quinn Valley Ranch. Exploding in time to the music playing. The oohs and ahs from her family pleased him, but the only reaction Nash cared about was Ivy’s.
“Oh, that one was so pretty.” She stared up with parted lips that curved upward. “This is unbelievable.”
He leaned closer to her, inhaling the citrus scent of her shampoo. “Surprise.”
She gasped. Her gaze flicked to him before returning to the sky as if she didn’t want to miss a single firework. “You did this?”
“Your uncle helped me set things up with your grandparents’ permission, of course.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to do something special for you after what happened. Since you’re so close to your family, I thought they might enjoy it, too.”
“I love them. I…” She pressed her lips against his but drew away before he could deepen the kiss. “There will be more later. I want to watch my fireworks first. They are mine, right?”
She was one hundred percent adorable. He tapped the tip of her nose. “They are yours.”
Watching her awed expression was better than the firework show bursting overhead. Bob had warned Nash of the expense, but he had more money than he could spend in a lifetime. R.J. might be a pain, but he’d set up Nash with a financial planner as soon as he signed with the label. This was money well spent.
He would give Ivy the world if she would let him.
The realization was unexpected, but Nash found himself at peace and happy. He’d never been interested in a woman like he was with Ivy, and he didn’t want to mess things up. Which was why he’d told R.J. yesterday he was staying in Quinn Valley longer.
Nashville wasn’t going anywhere. But when he returned, he wanted Ivy with him.
* * *
The picnic was over. Ivy and Nash had stayed to help clean up. It had been his idea because that was what Mama Aimee expected them to do at home or away. Ivy hoped she got to meet the woman and her husband someday.
Ivy folded the last chair. “This didn’t take long.”
Nash stared up at the sky. “So many stars. It’s beautiful out here.”
“It is.” He’d been handsome with his beard, but he was stunning now that she could see his entire face. “Almost as gorgeous as the spectacular fireworks. Thanks again for my surprise.”
Ivy had been so overwhelmed by his gesture she’d almost saidI love you. She hadn’t ever been in love before so she wasn’t sure if what she felt was that or extreme like, but Nash filled a place inside her she hadn’t known was empty. She wanted to do all she could to make him happy. The way he did with her.
Ivy wasn’t the naïve teenager from the small town she’d been ten years ago. She had a feeling—a strong one—she might end up having her heart broken, but she couldn’t stay away from Nash.
It wasn’t only because of the music.
It was him.
He’d sung his way into her heart, wiping away the past hurt and giving her strength to ignore what could hurt her now.
Nash came toward her. “That’s not the only one I have for you tonight.”
