Page 85 of Deadly Conflicts

23

Twenty-Three

“What a beautiful night.”

Ally pulled the black helmet off, giving no heed to her wild waves as they spilled out, and perched it on the back of Jake’s motorcycle. Two days prior she was held hostage – kind of – but she didn’t even suffer a tiny nightmare when it was all said and done.

Vince was behind bars, local police working to coordinate charges with California law enforcement officials. He would probably end up serving time in Michigan, but only because a multitude of people he put behind bars littered California jails and the odds of him surviving their wrath were slim. The Michigan police were looking for a low-level mafia freelancer who helped him steal the car, but they didn’t appear worried that he would eventually turn up.

Jake and Ally spent the next day in bed – other than fixing the front window, of course – and James gave Jake the rest of the week off so they could spend it together. Louis and Rose were happily settled at Grady’s house – although the middle Hardy brother wasn’t nearly as gleeful as they were – and that allowed Jake and Ally to bask in one another for as long as they wanted. Jake’s suggestion of a sunset picnic at their favorite spot took Ally by surprise, but she gladly accepted.

Jake took care of everything in the basket and refused to show her what he packed. They linked fingers as they walked toward their favorite bluff. It was just a short jaunt through the trees and then they would have absolute serenity at their fingertips.

“It is a beautiful night,” Jake agreed, squeezing Ally’s hand as they walked. “I have a beautiful night and a breathtaking woman. From where I’m standing, things are just about perfect.”

“Ooh, you’re such a smooth talker tonight,” Ally teased. “Just for the record, I’m a sure thing. You don’t have to pull out all of your seduction tricks.”

“Who said anything about tricks?”

Jake smiled when he caught sight of the flickering candles, his heart rolling when he heard Ally’s audible gasp. He had help planning his night, Mandy and James agreeing to light as many candles as he needed to make sure the bluff looked exactly how he envisioned.

The sun was low in the sky and it cast a warm glow over the expansive area. The light wouldn’t last long, but the candles – arranged in the shape of a heart – would be there to light the way once the sun exited. He wanted to see every second from here on out.

“What’s going on?” Ally swallowed hard, her heart hammering when she caught sight of the display. “I … what … did you do this?”

“I had a little help,” Jake replied, dropping the picnic basket outside of the heart before leading Ally into the middle of it. “I didn’t want to risk a forest fire, no matter how much I love you.”

“But … .” Ally wet her lips, confused. “What is this?”

Jake didn’t answer with his mouth, instead dropping to one knee and producing a velvet box from his pocket. Ally’s heart wasn’t the only one beating a mile a minute. Ally realized what he was doing before he had a chance to utter a word.

“You don’t have to do this because of Vince,” she said. “You can wait until you’re ready.”

“I am ready,” Jake said, fighting off tears. “I’ve been ready for a long time. I needed help getting the details right, and I really hope you like this because I had to take Mandy shopping to make sure I got the right one.” Jake flipped open the box and caused Ally’s heart to flutter. It was the most beautiful ring she’d ever laid eyes on. It reminded her of one she saw in a catalog as a young girl and instantly fell in love with.

“Mandy remembered.”

Jake nodded.

“She was trying to tell me without telling me,” Ally said, a tear sliding down her cheek. “She told me you loved me and I would get everything I ever wanted if I was patient.”

“Is this what you want?”

“I want you,” Ally replied. “Patience has never been one of my virtues, but you’re great at it. Maybe it will rub off on me.”

“Oh, angel, you don’t need anything to rub off on you,” Jake said. “You’re perfect.”

Ally sniffled as her head bobbed up and down. “Well, are you going to ask me or just sit there and watch me cry?”

“I’m going to ask you,” Jake said, taking a deep breath. “Ally Hardy, I didn’t know love was possible for me until I met you. I didn’t believe in fate or soul mates, but you changed all of that. You made me believe in myself and opened my heart.

“Whenever I look at you I see the sun,” he continued. “I see my future and my forever. I will never want anyone but you. I promise to love you with my whole heart as long as we’re together in this life … and also when we’re together in the next. Will you marry me?”

Her moment was here and yet Ally couldn’t find the words to answer. Instead she dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Jake’s neck, their mouths finding each other as love washed over them.

Jake never broke the kiss as he slipped the ring on Ally’s finger, his arms engulfing her as he pressed her to his chest and welcomed her into his heart. Forever.

“I can’t wait to marry you,” Ally blubbered.