Page 102 of One Kind Hand

Only one way to find out.

Charlie’s hands moved so fast on the puzzle box and as Austin watched her, he became overwhelmed with the fact that she was his. They’d spent so much time together during this game and everything he’d gotten to know about her fascinated him. Charlie Moyen was truly an original and he was so happy she’d chosen him. He needed to make sure she’d never choose anyone else.

But first, they had to win this game.

“C’mon, baby. You’re almost there.”

Without a word, Charlie shifted one more piece and the box popped open. She dumped the key into her palm and tossed it to Austin as Ryan threw his freed key to Angela.

Austin caught his key.

Angela did not.

While she groped on the ground for it, Austin ran for the water. He sucked in a huge breath and dove in. The water surrounded his body, but he didn’t let it dominate him. Charlie was counting on him coming through for their team. He wouldn’t let her down. Not today. Not ever.

He reached the opposite shore, ran to the blue flag station, fit their key into the lock, and the blue flag unfurled.

“Austin and Charlie are our winners!” Pete yelled. “An incredible victory, folks! Such teamwork!”

As soon as Austin returned to her side of the water, Charlie flung herself into Austin’s arms and he spun them both around.

“We did it!” She squeezed him. “We did it, Austin!”

“Of course we did,” he said, setting her down. “Unstoppable, remember?”

“Unstoppable.” She reached up on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips. Throughout the show, they’d kissed here and there for the cameras so it was no secret to the public that Charlie was dating Austin. He wanted to make it clear to the viewers, however, that his feelings for Charlie went way deeper than a few kisses in the Texan wilderness.

Way deeper.

“How does it feel to be our first ever winners?” Pete asked them after bidding Angela and Ryan farewell.

“Amazing!” Charlie shouted. “Absolutely f . . . freaking amazing!”

Austin chuckled because he knew freaking wasn’t Charlie’s original word choice.

“Winning is wonderful.” He slid his arm around Charlie’s shoulders. “Especially when you have the best partner in the world.”

Pete cupped his ear and leaned toward the camera. “What was that? Oh, it was every woman in America falling in love with you, Austin.”

“Sorry, America,” Charlie said, staring at the camera now too. “He’s mine.”

“We’re glad to hear you say that,” Pete said, grinning as he winked at Austin. “Because there’s actually one more challenge.”

“What?” Charlie’s fists clenched. “I thought that was the last one!” She flapped an arm toward their still raised team flag on the other side of the water. “You said we won this thing, Pete!”

“Sure, the money, the truck, the custom bike, and bragging rights are all yours,” Pete said, “but there’s a bonus prize. If you’re interested.”

“Of course we’re interested,” Charlie said, her anger replaced by that daring competitiveness that had served them so well in the game. “What is it?”

Pete looked at Austin. “I think we’ll let Austin take it from here.”

Charlie turned to face Austin. “What’s the bonus prize? What do we have to do?” The eagerness in her gray-blue eyes fueled Austin.

“Well . . .” He sank to one knee in front of her, after picking up a small box Pete had helped him hide on the set.

Charlie put her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide and her feet doing this adorable tap dance as she stared at the box.

“The bonus prize is me,” Austin said, “and all you have to do, Charlene Moyen, is marry me.” He opened the box to reveal a black diamond perched between two silver skulls on a silver band with black etchings.