Page 135 of Muskoka Blue

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Dan tooka step back so he could gaze at her face, her lovely, green-eyed, sweet-lipped face. As she stared back, he watched the uncertainty melt away and confidence stretch across her features in a smile.

“Yes.”

Yes…what? Yes, she knew he loved her? “Yes…?” he repeated slowly, his heart thumping more crazily than it had last week when he’d stood on the edge of a cliff called Govett’s Leap.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“Really?” Fierce joy threatened to consume him, but he had to stay patient a little longer.

“Yes.” Her lips tilted up one side. “But you’ll need to ask my dad for permission. He’s old fashioned that’s way.”

He smiled. “Already done.”

“What? When?”

He pulled her closer. “Yesterday, when you were cooking with your mom. I had a heart-to-heart with him. They’ve given us their blessing.”

He slipped the ring from his jacket pocket and kissed the inside of her wrist as he drew her hand close. He smiled at her gasp as he gently pushed the ring on her finger, the moonlight catching the deep fire of the beautiful diamonds that perfectly complemented her pendant. Yeah, this particular investment had been so worth it.

“Oh, Daniel!” Sarah threw her arms around his neck. “I love you so much!”

He pulled her tight, swinging her around in a whirl of exhilaration that left them both laughing, before he steadied them again, caressing her beautiful face. “I love you.”

“I can't wait to marry you,” she murmured, her breath mingling with his as she drew closer.

Dan pressed his lips to hers, drinking in her kiss, her affection, her joy-filled commitment to their future, even as his heart marveled at God’s grace and kindness. He didn’t deserve this, but God was a redeemer and a restorer of broken things, able to turn mourning into dancing, heaviness into joy. He pulled back with reluctance, leaning his forehead against hers, breathing in her fragrance, reveling in the wonder of it all. “Remember when we first met, and I asked where you belong?”

She nodded. “And now I’m here, with you,” she whispered.

“In my arms, where you belong." Dan’s clasp tightened again, his fingers entwined in the softness of her gorgeous hair. “Thank God we met in Muskoka, eh?”

Sarah leaned back and gave him that heart-stopping smile. “I thank God every day.”

“As do I.” He stole another kiss. Then another. “My Muskoka Blue.”

THE END