After watching the seabirds show off their fishing skills, he suggested they retrace their steps and head back to the hotel.
“We’ve been through a lot together,” he said, breaking their comfortable silence. “From the moment we met, I was wowed by you.”
She gave his hand a little squeeze. “Thank you. Same here.”
“We make a good team.”
“You think?”
His beautiful smile sent excitement careening through her. “Yeah, I do.”
He stopped on the beach in front of the resort. “I love you, and Sammy loves you. We’ve been doing our best, but we’ve been missing someone strong and kind, smart and funny, patient and loving. We’ve been missing you.” He pulled out a small box from his pocket, dropped to one knee and smiled up at her.
She gasped and her heart ka-chunked in her chest, then started beating wildly.
“Providence Sharpe Reynolds, I love you with my heart and soul. I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you do me the greatest honor of marrying me and being my life partner?” He opened the ring box.
Her gaze darted to the diamond ring, sparkling brightly in the morning light. While the ring was magnificent, it was the adoration in his eyes that made her heart soar.
“I would love to be your wife, and Sammy’s mommy.” She placed her hands on his face, leaned down, and kissed him.
He slipped on the emerald-cut diamond surrounded in a halo of smaller diamonds and flanked with baguettes. “That ring is…it’s beyond gorgeous.”
When he rose, she jumped into his arms and kissed him again and again. These kisses…these hummed in her bones and overflowed with love.
“I adore you, Miss Rhode Island.”
“I adore you back,” she replied with a smile.
Cheering and applause snagged her attention.
Dakota’s band of brothers and their wives waited by the hotel, Sammy in Sin’s arms. All of them were grinning, and everyone was wearing a T-shirt that said,
She said YES!!!
Providence gave a thumbs-up before kissing Dakota again. “So cocky. My refusing you never crossed your mind?”
“Hell, no.”
Sammy ran over and Dakota lifted her into his arms.
“Are you going to marry my daddy?” Sammy asked.
“I am. What do you think of that?” Providence asked as Dakota’s friends formed a circle around them.
“It’s soooo good. Are you getting married today?”
“Not today,” Providence replied.
“But Uncle Maverick can do it,” Sammy explained. “He marries everyone!”
Laughter filled the air as Jagger’s hotel staff brought out mimosas and orange juice in flutes. The group lifted their glasses in a celebratory toast.
“Congratulations,” Sin said and everyone raised their glasses. “We love you guys.”
“To the six,” Dakota said.
“To the six,” the guys repeated.
