Page 135 of Phoenix

The crowd dissipated as he led me into the barn. It was stunning, something right out of architectural digest, with soaring ceilings and rustic chandeliers hanging from log beams. Everything was polished, dark wood. Black iron gates housed a dozen stalls. Past that, a sitting room with lush chairs and couches positioned around a coffee table over a beautiful paisley rug. June’s photographs lined the walls. I immediately envisioned well-to-do men smoking cigars and sipping Brandy there… or perhaps the Steele brothers with a deck of cards and a handle of whiskey. Beyond that were two offices, a fully-stocked equipment room, and at the end, a small kitchen. There was an indoor riding ring and several outdoor paddocks in the back.

It was beyond my wildest dreams.

Little did I know what was yet to come.

We stepped into the indoor ring. Phoenix clicked his tongue, pulling my attention to Spirit, making her way across the dirt floor. I smiled as I met her beautiful black eyes, and I can’t explain why, but goosebumps prickled my skin as she walked toward me.

She wore a sparkling golden bow.

I looked at Phoenix, the sudden intensity in his eyes sending my heart pumping double time.

Spirit stopped at my feet and nudged my shoulder.

My gaze shifted to the white envelope dangling from the bridle, then to Phoenix.

He nodded—open it.

I unclipped the envelope, opened the flap, and pulled out two airplane tickets. Destination: Positano, Italy.

I gasped.

“Let’s start unearthing those roots of yours,” he said.

“Phoenix,you didn’t…” I flipped the tickets over in my hands. “They’re one way tickets.”

He smiled. “How does spending the next few months sound? Thought we could escape for a bit before your business officially kicks off.”

“That sounds like heaven.”

Spirit nudged me again, but this time, angled her head to show a small box secured to the bow.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Open it,” Phoenix said softly.

My hands trembled as I pulled the little blue box from the bow.

Tiffany.

Inside, a four carat ruby enclosed in a circle of diamonds.

A rose.

I gasped. Tears filled my eyes. I turned to Phoenix, now on his knees.

“Marry me,” he said, eyes glistening and voice cracking. “Marry me, Rose. My Rose Flower. Marry me.”

I fell to my knees, grabbed his face.

“Yes. Yes, Phoenix.Yes.”

A tear slid down his cheek as he slipped the ring onto my finger. A perfect fit.

Cheers erupted behind us.

I turned to see his brothers, his closest friends, my dear June, and began sobbing.

My new family.