“Challenge accepted.” He took her mouth, easily moving with the music. They finished that dance and moved into another, in the middle of Main Street.
The music shifted to a faster beat. Kids pulled Amka into a circle. Someone started clapping off-beat.
Brock moved toward the center of the street.
May noticed because Ophelia noticed.
Brock didn’t draw attention easily. He wasn’t flashy and didn’t posture. When he stepped into the open space between tables, people gradually quieted out of curiosity rather than command.
May frowned. “What’s he doing?”
Ace smirked, turning them to face Brock. “I think you’re about to find out.”
Brock cleared his throat once. “Can I have everyone’s attention for a second?”
The town hushed, which was no small feat.
Christian grinned, holding his bride close near the cake, which had already been cut. “You stealing my spotlight?”
“Shut up,” Brock said mildly.
Laughter rippled.
Brock turned to Ophelia. “You came here chasing a case, and you stayed for reasons that are obvious to anybody who’s seen me without my shirt.”
Ace groaned.
Ophelia chuckled, her blue eyes glimmering.
Brock smiled. “You don’t scare easy, and you don’t bend for anyone. Ophelia, you’ve made my life calmer and better in ways I didn’t see coming.”
May felt her own pulse pick up.
Brock reached into his jacket pocket. He dropped to one knee, still looking powerful in his tuxedo. “I don’t want you anywhere else,” he said. “Marry me.”
Ophelia’s eyes widened. She gulped. A light flush covered her cheekbones. “Brock.” Then she blinked. “Yes. I mean. Yes.”
Brock flipped open the box.
Ophelia dropped her gaze and gasped, looking at the ring. “Definitely yes,” she murmured.
May craned her neck to see. Wow. That was at least three carats.
Brock slid the ring onto her finger and stood, kissing her deeply.
The town exploded.
May laughed and snuggled into Ace’s side. “You knew,” she accused.
“Of course I knew. That’s my brother,” Ace said easily. “Don’t worry. I can be way more romantic than that. Just wait.”
Her abdomen rolled right over. “I love you, Ace Osprey.”
“I know.” He winked. “Love you, too.”
She settled in, finally finding her home with a man who wasn’t done chasing the sky. And she’d be right here, in little Knife’s Edge, every time he landed.
Make sure you catch up with the Osprey brothers in Damian’s story, Shadow of Fall.
