“Come back up the beach. I’ll show you.”
Her friends were sitting at one of the tables on the boardwalk. Brooke and Ember were drinking coffee, and Nick had a milkshake. Lorne and her dad were gossiping, and though she couldn’t hear what they were saying she could tell they were having a great time. Through the glass windows she could see Riley leaning on the coffee shop counter, talking with Brad as he made her a drink.
A shot of warmth blasted through her. Everybody she loved was here. Some she was related to by blood, others by friendship, but they were all her family. Was there anybody as lucky as she was?
“Here it is.” Nate reached for a large white box he’d left at the edge of the boardwalk. It had a sports logo emblazoned on it.
“You bought me shoes?”
“I owe you a pair, remember? I figured you could do with some new ones.”
“Let’s try not to throw these ones in the trash.” She winked at him, her equilibrium returning. Slowly she prized the lid off, revealing a bright new pair of running shoes. She pulled them out, admiring them. “These look expensive,” she murmured. “Thank you.” She turned to put her arms around him, but he was already kneeling down on the sand.
“You want a hand putting them on?”
“Sure.” She shrugged, not telling him he looked a bit weird kneeling next to her. She watched as he pulled the shoes out of the box, lining them up next to her feet. For a moment he stared down at them, then reached out to run his finger from her ankle to the tip of her toes, making them curl with delight at his touch.
He slid the first one on and tied the laces, then angled the second one on to her toes. Ally frowned when the sole of her foot scraped against something hard. “Is there a stone in there?” she asked, pulling her foot out. “Something about it feels weird.”
“Take a look.” Nate’s voice was gruff. He was definitely acting strange. Still, Ally took the shoe and tipped it so she could see inside. Sure enough there was something there. It slid down to the heel, catching the light as the sun’s rays shone down on it, and she realized it wasn’t a stone at all.
It was a ring.
* * *
Nate watched as Ally slowly reached into the shoe, pulling out a gold band set with a square cut diamond. She looked at him, her eyes wide, and her lips trembling. “Nate?”
He was more nervous than he’d thought he would be. What if she said no? Ally held the ring between her forefinger and thumb and he gently took it from her, holding his breath as he held it to the ring finger on her left hand.
“You probably think I’m crazy,” he said, his voice thick as his eyes met hers. “But I nearly lost you once and I never want to do it again. Since you came into my life it’s like the sun finally came out, and bathed everything around me in light.” He gave her a gentle smile, loving the way she was sta
ring at him with those big blues, hanging on every word. “You’re absolutely perfect,” he told her. “You’re funny, you’re beautiful, and you have the biggest heart of anybody I’ve ever met. It would truly be my honor if you’d agree to be my wife.”
“Yes,” Ally whispered. Without saying a word he slowly slid the ring onto her finger. With his eyes locked on hers he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her skin and the ring. His body flooded with relief and exhilaration combined. There was no way he was ever taking this grin off his face.
“You’ve made me the happiest man on Earth.”
“Does Riley know about this?” Ally asked him.
“I spoke with her about it yesterday. She was so excited.”
He looked up to see his daughter watching them through the glass window of the coffee shop, her grin wide as she clapped with delight. Ember, Nick, and Brooke were watching them, too. From the expressions on their faces they’d be quizzing Ally about everything very soon.
Then he looked over at Lorne and Grant – Ally’s father and her almost-dad, the two men who had been the biggest part of her life until now. He hadn’t asked them for her hand in marriage – Ally was nobody’s to give away – but he had consulted them and asked for their blessing.
They’d given it willingly.
He probably had only one more minute before they all ran down to congratulate them. Sliding his fingers into her hair, he angled Ally’s face until her lips were only a whisper away from his.
“You’re my best friend,” he told her. “My soul mate, my everything. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He slowly pressed his lips against hers, closing his eyes to try and control the emotion that was bursting through him. Was it really possible to have everything? He thought it was. Only a few months ago he’d arrived in this town desperate to make a change.
And he’d found the woman who changed everything.
She kissed him back and it was as though nobody else was there. Just the two of them losing themselves in each other, and that huge sparkling ring on her finger.
When he opened his eyes they were surrounded. Ember and Brooke were almost jumping up and down with excitement. Riley was grabbing at Ally’s hand to take a look. Lorne and Grant slapped Nate on the back as though he’d won something amazing.