“See? It says it’s for you. Should we open it?”
She gulped, reached out to take hold of the small stem and lifted the top off the pumpkin. Something dangled from the bottom as she lifted it. A ribbon maybe? Yes, she realized, but it was what was tied on to the ribbon that made her gasp.
In her periphery, she saw Jace lower himself to one knee. Which explained the diamond ring glistening on the end of the silky ribbon. That hint of excitement she’d felt a second ago was now a full-on chorus of cheers. Warm and tingly and so, so happy.
He took hold of her hand. “Awesome, awe-inspiring, anything-but-average Amy,” he said with a wink, “over the last couple of months, we’ve talked about what it might be like to share our future together. And now, with our families here to witness, I ask you to let today be the first day of the rest of our lives together.” He tugged the ring off the ribbon, held it with his finger and thumb, and looked at her through his dark lashes.
“Amy Marie Nelson, I want to love you forever. Will you do me the honor of being my bride?”
A few sniffles sounded over the group. Amy dabbed at a few of her own tears as she nodded. “Of course!”
Jace shot to his feet, took Amy in his arms, and lifted her off the ground. “I’m the happiest man alive right now,” he said while spinning her in place.
“Then I guess that makes us a good match,” Amy said, because with Jace, she was the happiest she’d ever been.
The group rushed in with words of excitement and cheer, hugging each of them in turn. “I’m so thrilled for you guys,” Mom said with a squeeze. Alise said a similar thing. When it was her father’s turn, he hunched down and patted her cheeks like he did when she was small.
“I want you to know Jace asked me for your hand,” he said. “And while a father rarely feels ready to give his daughter away, I was able to say yes without hesitation. Jace is one fine man, Amy.”
Leo was next. “Great,” he said while giving her a sideways hug. “Now I won’t even be able to tease Jace about stealing you away.”
Amy gave him a squeeze. “Pretty soon you’ll be with a lady of your own and you won’t even want to tease him about it.”
“Right, right.”
“Hey, let’s get a picture with the newly-engaged couple, shall we?” Kassy suggested after nearly squeezing the life out of Amy with excitement.
“Yep,” Daren said. “And for the record, Amy, Iwasrecording last time. So one day you two can show your kids how Daddy proposed to Mommy.”
“Thank you,” Amy said, “I love that idea.”
They got the engagement picture, and a group one as well before Jace tugged his phone from his pocket and encouraged Amy to step away from the group.
“Let them talk a minute,” he said. “I’ve got to let the guys know that you actually said yes.”
“Was there any doubt?” Amy asked with a laugh.
“Maybe,” Jace said as he opened a face-to-face call with the guys. “But that’s just because they’re still shocked they got their own women to say yes.” The screen split into several squares, each revealing a former teammate. Sutton popped up in the corner as well.
“Hello, there, chap,” Sutton said before nodding to Amy. “Ms. Nelson.”
“Sir,” Jace said.
“Hi.” Amy waved at Sutton and the rest of the crew.
“Well boys,” Jace said proudly, tossing an arm around Amy. “She said yes.”
“Wooo-hooo,” Logan bellowed. “Guess the final one bites the dust. Right, Jace?”
Jace chuckled under his breath. “Right.”
“Welcome to the club, son,” Creed said.
Sutton uttered words of congratulations along with the others as Amy showed off the ring.
“We’ll throw you a nice engagement dinner here at the estate next month,” Sutton said.
“Unless you’re going for world’s shortest engagement like Blaine,” Creed razzed.
