Her curiosity was getting the better of her now.
The drive ended in front of a two-story farmhouse with a wide front porch. There were two rockers on one end of the porch and a big swing on the other. “Whose place is this?” Many of their friends were settling in this area, but she didn’t see any other vehicles. “It’s so pretty.”
The sunset view was stunning as the color streaked across the sky.
“I can give you the full tour later if you want,” Dean said. “For now, why don’t we just go around back?”
So struck by the house and surrounding property, she didn’t move quickly. She was still staring through the windshield when Dean opened her door.
“Come on.” He put his hands on her waist and drew her out of the truck. He kissed her, then reached back for the bag from the florist.
“Did you buy this place?” she demanded.
“I put an offer in on it.” He nudged her into motion. “It’s contingent.”
“On what?” He didn’t own any other land or homes that she knew of.
He didn’t reply immediately and all of her questions melted away, forgotten when she saw the back of the house. The view over the valley was absolutely jaw-dropping with mountain peaks carving into the sky and the layers and layers of color.
He nudged her toward a swing tucked close to an outdoor fireplace. “Have a seat.”
“Dean, this is fantastic,” she gushed. “Whatever the contingencies are, clear them out and get this deal done.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely. You’ll never regret it.” It was so wide open and beautiful. Simultaneously breathtaking. She felt restored and she’d only been here a minute. “Come sit with me.” She patted the seat next to her.
“One more thing.” He reached into the bag and pulled out one of Avery’s hand-tied floral bouquets. In the sheer red ribbon was a sparkling diamond ring.
“An upgrade,” Dean said. “You deserve more than silicone.”
“What?” This was a fairy tale, not reality. She had to be dreaming. If she touched the ring would she wake up and shatter the illusion?
“I know you want the traditional stuff, Mel. I know you.”
“Dean,” she breathed.
“I love you, Melody Boyd and these last few days, you’ve shown me how much I need you as Mrs. Turner.”
“You’re serious.”
“I am.” He tipped his head toward the house. “This place even has a game room big enough for a Euchre tournament. Just in case you say yes.”
She laughed. Couldn’t quite stop. After the day they’d had and the sideways assignment, she didn’t think she was capable of it, but Dean made her laugh.
“When did you do this?” she asked when she caught her breath.
“I’ve been looking at properties for a while. I thought to suggest this place for you, but then…Well, it could be better as ours.
“Come on.” He pointed to the ribbon. “Untie that and let’s see if the ring fits.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Sweetheart, I swore off marriage. Until you.” He kissed her. “Please marry me. You make me the happiest man alive and the most confident partner. I’ve known I was carrying deeper feelings for you, but I was too scared to admit it. I’m not scared anymore.”
She untied the ribbon around the flowers and discovered there were two rings. She’d been so dazzled by the diamond she didn’t notice the heavier band underneath it.
Dean held out his hand. “Let’s see if that one fits me.”
Her heart full, she had to blink away tears as she took a deep breath.
She pushed the ring onto his finger much as she’d done days ago. “Aren’t we supposed to wait for an official ceremony or something before you put this on?” She stroked the band with her thumb.
He caught her hands in his and brought him to the lips. “We’ll get to the ceremony, but I want everyone to know I’m already your husband in every way that counts.”
Would he never stop surprising her?
“I was really trying to be okay with keeping it casual,” she admitted. Kissing him passionately, she poured out all the love she had for him. All the love she wanted to shower him with for the rest of their lives.
“There’s nothing casual about you, Mel. You deserve all the commitment I can give. As your partner, your friend, and most of all as your husband, I will always have your back.”
“That sounded like a vow,” she whispered.
“That’s how it’s meant. You’re all my hopes and happiness, Mel.” He gathered her close. “Together we’ll make the future better and brighter than ever.”
She rested her head on his chest, admiring the way the diamond caught the last of the sunlight. “Dean, loving you, growing with you day by day, will be all my dreams coming true.”
They snuggled right there as the sun fell behind the mountains, wrapped up in a gentle celebration of love and joyful anticipation of the life ahead. Together.