Shed thought her heart was full, but it hadnt been. There was still room, so much room for him. “Oh, well, that clears things up nicely. Its a beautiful ring. Its the most beautiful ring Ive ever seen. You were only wrong about one thing.”
“Whats that?”
“I dont mind the time and place, Jordan.” She looked up at him now with a brilliant smile. “I dont mind it at all. In fact, if you would put that on my finger, Id like it to be the only thing Im wearing for the next few minutes.” Holding out her hand, she took one quick, catchy breath. “Id really love to wear that ring. Id love to marry you, and all the rest of it, too.”
He took it out, set the box aside, then lifted her left hand. “This is one more beginning for us.”
“Im looking forward to the rest of them.”
He slipped the ring on her finger. There was a little buzz of h
eat, then a lovely spread of warmth where the gold circled her finger. “Its beautiful. It even fits.”
“Yeah? None of us knew your ring size, so thats a bonus.” He turned her hand, watched the stone sparkle. “It looks good on you.”
She rose to her toes, took his mouth with hers. “Youre so full of surprises.”
“Youve got that right. I might as well tell you the next one. I bought—or Im buying— Warriors Peak.”
She blinked twice, very slowly. “Sorry. I thought you said you were buying the Peak.”
“Thats right. I want us to live there. I want us to make a family there.”
“You…” Though her knees wobbled, she didnt give in and sit down again. “Youre not going back to New York?”
“Of course Im not going back to New York.” Bafflement moved over his face. “How the hell am I supposed to be married to you and live in New York while you run a business in the Valley? Dana.”
“I thought… Its where you live.”
He cupped her chin, unsure if he was impatient or amused. “You think Id ask you to move to New York, throw away your store before it even gets started? I was never planning to go back there to live anyway, but if I had been, this wouldve changed it.”
“You werent going back?”
“No. There was a time when I had to leave. This was the time when I had to come back. I need to be here. I need to be with you.”
“I wouldve gone with, you,” she managed. “I want points for that.”
“Were not going anywhere. If the Peak doesnt suit you, well—”
“Youre just trying to get points back.” Overcome, she laughed and threw her arms around him. “You know it suits me. God, this is fantastic. Its amazing. But please tell me thats the last surprise. My heads going to spin right off my shoulders.“
“Thats pretty much it for now.”
“Lets get dressed, get over to Flynns.” She pressed her hands palm to palm and stared at her ring. “I cant wait to tell everyone.”
“Flynn and Bradakeady know.”
“Men.” She flicked them away with a wave as she walked into the bedroom. “They dont know anything. Boy, oh, boy, wait until Malory andZoe get a load of this ring! Ive got to find a really cool outfit to set it off.”
“I like the one youre wearing now.”
She shot a look over her shoulder before she dived into her closet. “See? Men dont know anything.”
Chapter Eighteen
WHEN Moe dragged Flynn into the house, they heard the single, high-pitched scream. Moe bared his teeth, Flynn bared his, and they raced toward the kitchen prepared to taste blood.
Malory stood in the center of the room, her hands crossed over her heart, laughing like an idiot.