Loving You (Love Wanted in Texas 6)

“Still not dreaming.”

Pulling in behind Jase, I quickly jumped out of my car and made my way over to the site we had picked to build our two-story house. I wasn’t sure what Gunner needed. I thought we had signed off on the plans last week.

My eyes danced between the little table that was set up and Jase who stood there holding a box.

“Wh-what’s going on?” I asked as I walked up and saw the picnic basket on the table.

“I thought maybe you’d like to have a picnic.”

My entire body tingled. “Jase! This is so wonderful!”

His face beamed with pride as he pulled the chair out for me to sit down. “But first . . . you need to open your gift.”

“What’s the gift for?”

“No reason other than I love you.”

My heartbeat quickened. I’m living in a fairytale. “You’re spoiling me!” I said with a slight giggle.

He set the box down on the table. Before I had a chance to open it, the lid popped open and the cutest boxer puppy tried to jump out. There was a pink bow tied around her neck and she barked as soon as she saw me.

“It’s a puppy!” Jumping up, I swept her up into my arms.

“It’s a girl,” Jase said.

Holding her up, I looked at her adorable white and black face. “She’s beautiful.” Turning to Jase, I reached up on my tippy toes and kissed him. “I love her already!”

“Sit down and let her run around.”

I did exactly what he said. “Oh my sweet little girl. What should I name you?”

Jase sat down next to me as the puppy jumped all over both of us.

“Bella! I’m going to name her Bella!”

“I think that is the perfect name for her.”

Bella ran up and jumped on me and that’s when I saw it. My breath hitched as I grabbed onto my new puppy to keep her still.

“Oh my gosh. Jase!”

Reaching over, Jase untied the bow and took the ring off. He took my hand in his as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“I want to dance every dance with you for the rest of our lives. Every breath I take is for you, Taylor.”

A loud sob escaped from my lips as he slipped the ring onto my finger. It was a beautiful princess-cut diamond flanked by smaller diamonds. It was breathtaking.

“This ring was given to me by my father. It was his mother’s.”

Knowing how much that meant, I cried harder as I got on my knees and threw myself into Jase’s arms. “It’s stunning! I love it and I love you so much.”

Pulling back, his hands cradled my face. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long.”

Narrowing my eyes, I looked at him confused. “Some people would think we were rushing this.”

He looked down at the ground and shook his head. “If I hadn’t been so stupid, I would have made you mine a long time ago.”

My arms wrapped around his neck. “None of that matters. All that matters is we’re together and everything is amazingly perfect.”