Page 63 of The Magic of Sunshine
Instead of answering him, she sighed. “What was I supposed to say after you asked me to marry you?”
“You’d say yes and kiss me senseless.”
Harper smiled. “Well, then. I wouldn’t want to upset your plans.” And before he could reply, she pulled him close and gave him the biggest, love-packed kiss she could manage. “How was that?”
Owen closed his eyes and swayed on his feet. “Wow. I should give you a message in a bottle every day.”
Harper laughed. “You wouldn’t get much work done.”
As they broke apart, the sound of applause and cheers erupted from a short distance away.
Harper frowned as she turned to see a small crowd approaching from the direction of The Lakeside Inn. It was their family and friends, bundled up in winter clothes, their faces beaming with happiness.
Owen groaned. “Oh, no.”
“Was this part of the plan, too?” Harper asked.
He nodded before picking up his shoes and socks. “They think we’re getting married.”
Harper’s frown deepened. “We are, aren’t we?”
Owen’s mouth dropped open. “Are we?”
She was confused. “I didn’t want to upset your plans.” In case Owen had forgotten, she held up her hand and ticked the most important bullet points off on her fingers. “Say yes and kiss the frozen husband-to-be senseless.”
Tears filled Owen’s eyes. “You’ll marry me?”
“Yes, yes, and triple yes.” Just for good measure, Harper kissed him and smiled. “I love you, Owen. But if you ever go into the water at this time of the year again, I won’t be kissing anything better.”
“No winter swimming allowed,” he said with a grin. “I have something else for you.” With hands that were far from steady, he pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket. “Last weekend, I asked your dad and granddad if I could marry you. Your granddad wanted you to have this.”
Owen opened the lid and held it toward Harper. “It’s your nana’s engagement ring.”
Harper’s eyes widened when she saw the beautiful, old-fashioned ring. Her fingers trembled as they touched the solitaire diamond. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
Owen took her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made for her.
Leaning closer, he said, “I promise to make you as happy as I can, every day.”
Tears brimmed in Harper’s eyes as she looked at Owen. Not only did she see the man she adored, but a future filled with love and laughter. “I know you will. And I promise the same to you.”
They held each other close as everyone gathered around, congratulating them on the commitment they’d made to each other.
Harper looked at her granddad and smiled. He was sitting in his wheelchair, his eyes misty with emotion as he witnessed this special moment.
Silently, she thanked him for the beautiful ring. She knew how much it meant to him. How much being married to her nana had changed his life. If she was half as happy as they were, her marriage would be amazing.
When Owen sneezed, Harper wrapped her arm through his and led him across the grass. “Let’s go start our happy ever after,” she whispered.
“We already have.” Owen said with a tender smile. “I love you, Harper.”
“I love you, too.”
THE END
