Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Levi blushed. “I overheard you telling Lilibeth that the princess cut was your favorite. It’s a Sri Lankan sapphire set in an antique platinum band. The diamonds are original to the band, but I had them replace the main stone with the sapphire.”
I slowly shook my head. “Levi, it’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”
He smiled and placed his hand on the side of my face. “Now, the next big question. When can we get married?”
“Today!” Rhett shouted.
I laughed and looked at the two most important men in my life. “Should we elope?”
Levi drew back in surprise. “You don’t want a big wedding?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Levi, I have been in love with you since I was fourteen. I’d marry you in the county courthouse today if I thought we could get someone to meet us there.”
Taking my hand in his, we finally stood up. A wicked smile appeared on Levi’s face. “I hear Lake Tahoe is beautiful this time of year.”
“What about the Thanksgiving food?” I asked.
“I was never actually going to cook. I just wanted you here so I could ask you. Your mother and father are expecting us over there for Thanksgiving dinner.”
My eyes went wide. “That’s why you wouldn’t let me in the kitchen last night! My parents knew you were going to ask me to marry you?”
“Of course they did,” Levi said. “I asked their permission. After I asked Caden first.”
A warm sensation flooded my entire body. “You did?”
He drew me to him and kissed my forehead. “I did.”
Chewing on my lip, I made the quickest decision I’d ever made in my entire life. Glancing down at Rhett, I asked, “How fast can you pack a bag, Rhett?”
He jumped in excitement! “Super-fast, if you help me!”
Focusing back on Levi, I let out a laugh. “Are we really going to do this?”
He winked. “I’m down if you are!”
“Let’s go to Tahoe!”
“Wait! What about turkey and pie?” Rhett asked.
“Let’s go to Tahoe after Thanksgiving!” I called out as Rhett jumped and cheered.
Levi
Two Months Later
I knocked on the partially open door and peeked my head in. Emeline looked up and smiled as Moose made his way over to say hi. She stood and made her way quickly to me.
“You’re early!” she said, lifting onto her toes for a kiss.
“I had the schedule cleared this afternoon.”
She looked surprised and happy at the same time before a look of worry crossed her face.
I kissed her again and held her to me for a few moments before letting her go. When she chewed nervously on her lower lip, I reached down and pulled it free. “Don’t worry.”
“I can’t help it. I’m nervous, excited, and scared.”
Moose whined, clearly picking up how Emeline was feeling. I reached down and scratched between his ears.
“Did you tell anyone else?”
She shook her head. “I want this to be just for the two of us.”
I smiled. “Are you ready to go now?”
Emeline nodded, walked back to her desk, slipped her phone into the back pocket of her jeans, then grabbed her jacket and hat.
“Who are we taking?” I asked.
“I thought Starlight and Comet.”
Laughing, I replied, “I think that’s a great idea. They were there for the first ‘I love you,’ after all.”
She winked, and my chest filled with warmth.
We worked in silence as we saddled up both horses, then rode to the same spot where I’d first told Emeline I loved her. Moose would wander off the trail for a bit then suddenly appear again. He was never far from Emeline.
Starlight and Comet had become the best of friends since that initial ride. Where one was, the other was never far away.
Getting off the horses, we let them roam as we climbed the rest of the trail and stopped at the top. The view was just as beautiful as the first time I’d seen it. Snow covered the mountains that surrounded us, and you could see the river down below. Parts of it were frozen over. The January day was warmer than usual, which I was glad for.
Emeline faced me. “Okay. I’m ready if you are?”
I nodded. “I’m ready.”
“You go wait at the boulder.”
I laughed. “You don’t want me seeing you do it?”
She shrugged. “I might not be able to do it at all if you’re watching.”
Holding up my hands, I replied, “Fair enough. You’re going to be freezing, though.”
Winking, she replied, “Only for a few seconds.”
I kissed her before I made my way to the boulder, Moose at my heels. I wiped off the snow and sat down.
About a minute later, Emeline joined me. She sat next to me and slid her gloves back on. We sat in silence, steam coming from both of us as we breathed.
Wrapping my arm around her, I smiled as she lay her head on my shoulder and said, “It’s so beautiful up here.”