I laugh. “You got it.”
When everyone else takes off to head to their hotels, Ford takes my hand and guides me away from where his truck is parked. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” he announces as we cut across the street and head for a park.
A bark of laughter spills from my lips. “Ha! Last time you gave me a surprise, I wound up naked in the shower.”
He grins suggestively. “Oh, I remember. Vividly.”
We head to the center of a large grassy area. Ford takes my hands in his and turns me so I’m facing him. He smiles one of those breathtaking grins I can’t help but love more and more every day. Then, he drops one hand and pulls an envelope out of his pocket. “I got you a gift.”
I smile. “We said no presents,” I remind him, even though I kind of knew he’d get me something. That’s the type of man he is. He’ll stop and grab flowers on his way home from the plant or make sure to have dinner waiting when I had a late class. He’s the most thoughtful, loving person I’ve ever known, and I still can’t quite believe he’s mine.
“Open it,” he whispers, his voice so full of excitement.
I pull open the white envelope and unfold the sheet of paper. My eyes read over the words, but they barely register. I stop and start over again, stuck on the words “offer accepted.” “What offer?” I ask, glancing up and finding him watching me intently.
“You remember that tri-level home we looked at online? The one with the huge fenced-in backyard and the room over the garage?” He takes a deep breath. “Well, I put in an offer to buy it a few weeks ago, and it was accepted. We have a home.”
Tears gather in my eyes as my own smile stretches across my lips. “We have a home? The one with the big kitchen and little breakfast nook?”
“That very one, sweetheart. It’s all ours.”
I squeal and leap into his arms, wrapping myself around him like a spider monkey. He catches me easily. “I can’t believe you did this.”
He inhales against my neck, his warm breath so familiar and comforting against my skin. “For us. I did it for us.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, pressing my lips firmly against his.
“You’re welcome.” He holds me against his chest and kisses me until my lips are swollen and tender.
“We should head back and celebrate,” I announce, making him laugh.
“We should.”
“Faith is gone with Chad, so we might have the place to ourselves for a few hours.”
He sets me down on my feet and takes my hand. I turn to head back the way we came but am stopped when he doesn’t follow. Just as I look over my shoulder, he drops to one knee. It takes a second for me to register what’s happening.
Ford releases my hand and reaches into his pocket. He pulls a little black box out and flips open the lid. I gasp as I gape down at the most gorgeous diamond ring nestled in black velvet.
“Shayne Danner, you’re everything I never knew I wanted in this life. You’re kind and brave and so strong. You make me want to be a better person every day, to be the type of man worthy of your love. I want to share my life with you, become parents, and grow old together. Marry me, Shayne. Make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife.”
“Yes,” I practically yell, not even sure if he’s done speaking or not. All I know is I need to get my answer out as soon as possible.
He takes my hand and slips that gorgeous ring on my finger, sealing the deal. Ford jumps up, threads his fingers into my hair, and kisses me. Every ounce of love he possesses pours into this kiss.
“Thank you,” he whispers, nibbling on my bottom lip.
“Hey, that’s my line.”
“Nope. For the rest of my life, I’ll be saying it. Thank you for agreeing to go on a date with me, even though you knew I was only in town for a week. Thank you for not giving up on me every time I had to return to base. Thank you for loving me, Shayne, for completing my life.”