Page 59 of Haden

Chuckles fill the room.

“This past week, I’ve had the sense knocked into me. I can’t remember what my life was like before your sunshine filled it. It was dim and unrecognizable.”

I’m so choked up that my tears are falling freely now. He’s making this so special.

“I’ve spoken to your brothers and cousins. I’ve asked them for their blessings. I’ve promised them to love and honor you for the rest of my life. Will you please agree to be my wife, my partner, my lover, and the mother of my children?”

I’m trembling so hard I can’t move. It takes me a moment to nod and then say, “Yes.”

Haden opens the box, and I gasp when I see the stunning pink stone surrounded by what looks like a dozen smaller stones in the same hue. It’s so beautiful, I’m afraid to touch it.

Haden pulls the ring out of the box and holds out his hand. “Come here, baby.”

I manage to get my feet to move closer to him and give him my left hand.

He kisses my knuckles before sliding the ring onto my finger. And then he sweeps me off my feet, his arms around my waist, our foreheads together.

“I love you, Emilia. So much it hurts. I can’t wait to make you my wife.”

I kiss him passionately as if we’re alone.

The women clap. The men groan.

When Haden lowers me back to my feet, my sisters all gather around to see the ring.

Claire takes my hand. “Those are the most beautiful stones. What are they?”

“Pink diamonds,” Haden responds.

Brody pats him on the back. “Well done. I know how rare they are.”

Haden grabs my arm and hauls me back into his embrace. He kisses me again. His lips come to my ear. “Thank you.”

I giggle as I turn in his arms. “I love you.”

He nuzzles my nose. “Let’s eat.”

I don’t know how I manage to chew and swallow, but eventually I do. Throughout dinner, I keep looking at my hand and grinning. The ring is so gorgeous. I can’t believe how perfect this night is.

Instead of anyone excusing themselves early, we all stay in our seats, making dessert last longer than usual. People start asking when we’re going to get married and where.

Haden tells them, a week from today, right here. I suspect he’s discussed this with my brothers and cousins.

Ryder snaps his fingers. “Shit. I got so caught up in the proposal that I forgot to tell you all that Blaze called this afternoon. He’ll be joining us before the end of the week.”

“Who’s Blaze?” Melody asks.

Tiago answers, “He’s one of our cousins.”

Haden’s had a hand on my thigh for a while, and he gives it a squeeze and glances around at the men. “Remind me of the family tree again. I can’t keep up.”

Dallas chuckles. “It’s not too complicated. There’s just a lot of us. Amos and Carolyn Wilde had four sons. The oldest is William—Ryder and Tiago’s father. They have a sister, Lydia, who has chosen not to move here. The second is Richard—he’s Brody, Emilia, and my father. Then Charles. One of his sons is Blaze. And the youngest is Edward. None of his kids have shown up to claim a stake yet.”

Haden nods. “Got it.”

Melody sighs. “Maybe someone should draw up a family tree and put it up in the library, so we’ll know who to expect in the future.”

“That would be helpful,” Arianna agrees.