Page 99 of The Summer of Us

“Put your foot on the brake and press the start button.”

The engine roared to life, the dashboard lighting up, buttons and knobs appearing in the dimness of the interior.

“My own little truck.”

Linc chuckled. “SUV.”

“Linc,” I whispered. “I can’t take this all in. I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s all yours, Sunny. All of it. The house, the SUV, my heart, and my love. The only word you have to say is yes.”

I glanced toward him, wondering why his voice had changed. As if he had moved.

He had.

He was on one knee, holding up a tiny square package. “One last box to open tonight,” he said. “One last surprise.”

Tears sprang to my eyes. He warned me he’d be doing this big. I’d had no idea how big.

“Marry me, Sunny. Live with me here and make a lifetime of memories with me. Give me what I want more than anything in the world. The right to call you mine. Please.”

There was no hesitation. Without a thought, I flung myself from the little truck and into his arms. We fell back onto the damp earth, landing with a dull thump as I knocked the breath out of him, pressing hundreds of kisses to his face.

“Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, Linc.”

He laughed into the open sky, wrapping his arms around me. He let me prattle on, probably because he was too shocked, or perhaps winded, to move.

Then he kissed me.

* * *

Linc

I lay on the soft, damp earth, my arms around Sunny. She babbled, laughing and crying at the same time over her pretty little truck, getting married, the house. All of it. I finally caught my breath, not having anticipated the lunge, and lifted her still-talking-mouth to mine and kissed her.

That shut her up.

I managed to get to my feet, still holding her, our mouths locked together. Blindly, I reached inside the vehicle and pressed the ignition, shutting off the SUV. I strode to the tent, setting her on her feet, and pulled away. She growled in frustration, reaching out for me, but I grabbed her hands, kissing them. “No, Sunny.” I shook my head in amusement. “You haven’t even looked at your ring.”

“Oh. I love it. And I said yes, so back to kissing, please.” She rose up on her toes, looking hopeful.

I chuckled, gently eased her back to her feet, and took the box from her hand. Only my Sunny wouldn’t give a fig about the ring in the box. Most women wouldn’t even agree to getting married until they checked out the stone. I was pretty damn certain she was going to be pleased. I opened the lid and let her see the ring.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the cushion cut diamond, surrounded by two rows of tinier diamonds set in platinum. It twinkled and flashed white under the lights, reflecting all around the tent in its brilliance. Her hand flew to her mouth, tapping her lip in worry. “I can’t wear that in the bakery.”

“Not while you’re baking, no. But you can the rest of the time.” I pulled the ring from its cushion and took her hand. “May I?”

She nodded in silence, and I slipped on the ring, kissing her hand when I was done. “Perfect.”

She twisted her hand side to side, studying it. “It’s so beautiful.”

“So are you.”

She bit her lip in worry.

“I have something that will make you feel better.” From my pocket, I drew a set of thick platinum bands. Hers was so tiny it nestled within mine until I lifted it away. I liked the fact that my ring encircled hers. The way my love would encircle her from now on. “I want to see this with your ring, Sunny. I want you to promise once I put it on your finger, you’ll never take it off. I know you have to remove the diamond for work, but not this one. Promise me.”

“I promise.”