Page 149 of My Favorite Hero

Then I went to find Casey, certain where she would be.

I walked through the trees, coming to the clearing. She sat on the log, her face lifted to the sunshine. She loved to sit out here, sharing her life with Lou, weeding the little garden that was thriving under her care.

A twig snapped under my foot, and her eyes flew open, her smile welcoming. She held out her hand, and I took it, bending to kiss her.

“Hey, Pix.”

“Thorne.”

I chuckled. “Am I scowling?”

“Your resting face always scowls.”

“I see. I was unaware.”

“Well, now you know,” she teased.

I sat beside her, our fingers entwined.

“How was Mark?”

“Great. I miss working with him. But he loves days only, and so does Linda.”

She hummed.

“Chief told me I could go to days if I want at the next opportunity.” I smirked. “That could be a few years, though.”

“Something to look forward to.”

She leaned her head on my shoulder. “Do you know what today is?”

I pressed a kiss to her head. “Yep. A year ago today, you broke in to my house.”

“Our house. And I didn’t break in.”

I laughed. “I will never forget that sweet ass hanging from the window. My first instinct was to give it a squeeze.”

She nudged me. “Pervert.”

“We’ve come a long way.”

She sighed. “We have.”

In a fast move, I turned and hit the ground, one knee bent. I held out the box I’d taken from my pocket. “How about we go a little further?”

She looked at the box, then at me. “Thorne?” she whispered.

I opened the box, the diamond catching the light. It was nestled between two sapphires that gleamed brightly. “Marry me, Pix. Please.”

Tears filled her eyes. “It’s so beautiful.”

“The sapphires reminded me of your eyes.”

I took it from its mooring and slid it on her finger, bending to kiss her knuckles. “Please,” I repeated.

“Yes,” she sobbed and flung herself into my arms.

I held her tight and sat back on the log. I let her cry for a moment. She always cried when happy. Or sad. And sometimes when she felt overwhelmed. I liked being there for her and helping her smile again.