She nodded.
Cussing under his breath, he patted his pockets.“I wanted to do this right, be romantic, I was trying to find the perfect setting, but apparently, you’re still under the impression I’ll be moving on sometime soon.You’re also, I’ve heard, still telling people Marietta is just a temporary stop, so I have to do this now, here.I don’t want temporary with you, damn it, I want… where the hell have I put…?Oh, here it is.”
He took out a small box from his pockets.It looked old, the sides were a bit frayed.As Ellie tried to make sense of what she was seeing, Becket went down on one knee.
Stunned, her eyes flew to his.“Becket…?”
“Ellie Campbell,” he said, those blue eyes fixed on hers, “will you please marry me?This weekend?I don’t ever want to be away from you again.This ring belonged to my dad’s mom; she left it to me to give to my bride.Never thought I’d have one of those, until I caught you in my arms.Mom gave it to me on Saturday.If you don’t like it, we can get you another one.”
With a sob, she kneeled in front of him.“Yes, I’ll marry you, Becket Weston.”Holding out her hand, she ignored the tears running down her cheeks.
“You’re crying!”Frowning, he tried to wipe the tears from her cheeks with his free hand.
“Happy tears.”She held out her left hand.
“You cry when you’re happy?”
“Oh, yes.You’ll have to get used to it.”She smiled through the tears.
“And you’re happy now?”He was still very unsure.
“Very happy.”
Blowing out a relieved sigh, he lifted her hand.Gently, he took out the ring and slipped it on her ring finger.It fitted perfectly.
Swallowing against the lump in her throat, Ellie lifted her hand.Surrounded by diamonds, a beautiful blue stone rested on a band of yellow gold.“It’s beautiful.”.
“It’s a sapphire.Grandma had beautiful blue eyes like you do,” Becket said, his voice strangely hoarse.“I really won’t mind if you prefer something else.”
“I love it, love that the ring is a part of your family.I don’t want another one.”Behind Becket’s back, a movement caught her eye.Laughing, she leaned forward.“Look behind you,” she whispered.
Becket turned his head.All four dogs were sitting in the doorway, watching them, looking very worried.Marmalade was between Duke’s front feet.
“She said yes!”Becket called out.As if they’d been rehearsing this, the dogs all barked and, tails wagging, bodies wriggling, came closer.
Harper sniffed the ring, barked her approval before she sat down, waiting for the rest to show their appreciation.
“Okay, guys, this was nice, but now Ellie and I want to be alone, okay?Let me fetch their beds.They’re still in the truck.”
“I’ll help.Will they stay in the kitchen, do you think?”
“We’ll have to see.”
*
Still not quiteawake, Becket turned, reaching out to find Ellie, but she wasn’t there.As he opened his eyes, he saw her standing by the window.What was on his leg?Lifting his head, he grinned.All four dogs and the cat had found a spot on the bed.
Getting up, he padded to where Ellie was standing, slipping his arms around her naked body.“I’ve missed you.”
“Look,” she said, pointing toward the big white ball hanging above Copper Mountain.“It’s a full moon.The perfect romantic setting.”
“You want me to get down on one knee again?”
“No.”She turned around in his arms.“But I would like to make love to my fiancé in the light of the moon.”
“With pleasure.”Picking her up he turned toward the bed.All the dogs and even Marmalade were gone.
“I think they’re getting the idea,” Becket chuckled as he took her back to bed.
