Chapter 53
Fifty-Three
W hat a difference two weeks made. Jane had fully recovered from her ordeal. Savannah had left with a promise to return the coming weekend. The FBI had taken over the case, whisked away Ruggerio and his accomplices, and taken the ledger. Ethan shared information with Sean, who was investigating the gang’s operations in other towns and was passing that information on to town officials. Beaver Creek was none the worse.
Despite everything, Ethan hadn’t forgotten how Jane whispered she loved him after she fell asleep. And foolish him. He hadn’t said it back. She had to know how he felt, but knowing wasn’t the same as hearing. As time went by, he found himself too embarrassed to bring it up. She hadn’t said it since.
However, Ethan had made plans. It was time to celebrate and have a party. Not that he was a party animal, but this would be a special occasion. A chance for everyone and Jane to know precisely how he felt about her.
He reserved the little Community Church down the street, which was available for weddings and parties. It was the perfect spot to invite their family and friends. He asked Savannah for Jane’s family’s phone numbers and called each one, explaining this was a special party for Jane. They all said they’d be there.
He rented rooms at the luxurious Mills River Inn, a four-star hotel close to the church. The Twisted Fork was catering. All his brothers and even his parents were coming. And now his stomach was gurgling, and he wanted to vomit.
Would Jane like the surprise?
Did she even like surprises? Savannah assured him that Jane would be ecstatic, especially since everyone coming would be family and friends. Preventing people from telling Jane about the party was a challenge. He even threatened to lock up anyone who spilled the beans.
The day of the party had finally arrived. Ethan aimlessly wandered around the house. Jane finally asked him to sit down. He was making her nervous. When he told her it was a surprise party for Tanner’s birthday, she was excited and offered to help, but he said he had it handled.
It was a cold, crisp, sunny Sunday. A light breeze was blowing, and the scent of wood fires permeated the air, reminding him of home. Jane’s family had arrived and were ensconced at the inn. Tanner and Leah decorated the church the day before, and today Leah and his brothers were there welcoming everyone. Tanner would bring her family over soon. Everything was as perfect as it could be. No one had slipped the secret to Jane.
“Come on, lazybones. Tanner will be another year older if we don’t leave right now,” he yelled up the stairs.
“Hold your horses.” She walked down the stairs, and Ethan whistled. He happened to mention that it was a more formal affair. She had picked up a short-sleeved pale blue V-neck lace dress and a pair of black kitten-heel shoes with an ankle strap. He asked what kitten heels were and ended up learning more than he wanted about women’s clothing. It didn’t matter. She looked sexy and gorgeous.
Ethan helped her with her coat, and they drove down to the church. “It looks like everyone in town is here for Tanner’s birthday,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many cars.”
“He’s a popular guy,” he remarked.
“Well, I hope he’s surprised,” Jane replied.
“Oh, it’ll be a surprise for sure,” Ethan quipped.
He parked his truck and helped Jane out. They walked in and said hello to everyone. Jane looked around at the crowd. “He’s going to love this.”
“I hope so,” Ethan replied. “It’s not every day one can pull off a surprise party without the person finding out.”
Jane waved to a couple of friends before making her way over to chat with them. Ethan looked around and saw Savannah had draped a cloth over the picture.
Small white tables were elegantly decorated with clusters of purple floating balloons in varying shades, each one bobbing beneath strings of twinkling lights. The atmosphere was festive and romantic.
He stopped to chat with his brothers.
“When is Tanner coming?” asked Dylan.
“He’ll be here in a few. He’s hiding the family until the reveal,” Ethan replied.
Sean put his arms around Ethan’s shoulders. “I’m so happy for you, man.” Then he exhaled a deep breath. “No way she’s going to say no, is there? We have emergency whiskey in the truck if you need it.”
“Ha. If she says no, I’ll need more than whiskey.”
Ethan looked at the crowd. “Shh, she’s coming over.”
Jane walked over and into his arms. “I can’t wait to see the expression on Tanner’s face.” She looked around the room. “This is so exciting.”
Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He whistled to catch everyone’s attention. “Okay, folks, it’s showtime.”
Jane looked around. “Where’s Tanner?”
Tanner walked in just as Jane asked.
“Sweetheart, surprise!” Ethan said, opening his arms wide. “This is a party for you.”
“Me?” Jane looked around the room at all the folks gathered who were smiling at her.
“I don’t understand,” she murmured.
Savannah hugged her. “Oh, sweetie, Ethan asked me to paint you a special picture, and he wanted to show it to you today.”
“Okaaay. But why couldn’t he show it to me at the house?”
“You’ll see,” Savannah replied. “Ethan, are we ready?”
When Ethan yelled yes, Savannah pulled the cover off the picture.
Jane could only stare at it. “Savannah, it’s beautiful.”
Jane’s eye remained fixed on the watercolor in front of her. The image showed a man proposing to a woman outside a small white church, with colorful cows standing near a barn, their heads tilted in curiosity. It eerily resembled the view from her farm but with a romantic twist.
When did Ethan ask Savannah to paint it? Jane turned toward Ethan with tears in her eyes. “Oh, it’s … beautiful.”
Her breath caught when she noticed Ethan kneeling on one knee, holding out a stunning round diamond ring just like in the painting. Tears welled in her eyes.
Ethan’s blue eyes softened. “Will you marry me?” he asked. “Put me out of my misery with my brothers.”
“And friends,” shouted someone in the crowd, causing a ripple of laughter.
“And friends.” Ethan sighed dramatically, then added, “and be my wife.”
Jane’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening when she noticed her mom and dad, Grace, Luke and her brother Rob standing in the group and waving. “Oh, my.” She finger-waved to them. Her mom blew her a kiss. Was this a dream? If so, she didn’t want to wake up.
She looked back at Ethan, who looked so hopeful.
“Jane, I promised myself the moment I rescued you that you were mine to hold, to love, and to cherish. Maybe I haven’t said it in so many words, but I love you with all my heart and all my being. You rescued me from a life without joy and made me whole again. I can’t thank you enough.”
“That makes two of us,” called out Tanner from the back, prompting a chorus of chuckles.
Ethan rolled his eyes. “Please ignore him.” He smiled at Jane. “Just say yes.”
Jane’s heart fluttered as she held out her trembling hand. Ethan slid the ring on her finger. She twisted her hand back and forth, admiring the ring but also what it symbolized—their love and the future they’d build together.
“Ethan, of course I’ll say yes,” she whispered.
The crowd erupted in cheers, but for Jane, there was only Ethan, his face a mixture of relief and joy. He stood, tenderly cupping her face and kissing her mouth passionately as people applauded.
“I love you,” he murmured in her ear.
Jane pulled back. “I love you too.” She looked around the room as her friends and family witnessed their engagement. “I can’t believe you pulled this off and I didn’t have a hint.”
“Well,” he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “I did have help. Besides, I threatened to throw anyone in jail who as much as hinted what was going on.”
Jane looked at Ethan. He was dead serious about jailing people. She burst into laughter as Savannah and both sets of parents came over to congratulate them.
“Savannah, the picture is so you and absolutely perfect. I’m going to hang it above our bed.”
“Sweetie, I’m so thrilled for you,” Savannah replied. “It’s been so much fun planning this with Ethan and your family.”
“Speaking of family, where are my sister and brother?” she asked Ethan.
He looked around and spotted her siblings. “Sean is with Luke, probably talking security business. I understand he’s heard of KnightGuard Security. It looks like Dylan corralled Rob, and Grace is…” Ethan looked around the crowd. “Grace and Olivia are in the corner, probably exchanging investigative tips.”
Jane was thrilled her family was getting along with Ethan’s. Soft jazz played in the background as she caught up with her mom and dad.
The servers were passing out flutes of champagne as friends and family gathered around to congratulate her and Ethan.
“Hear! Hear!” Tanner stood by Jane and Ethan, clinking his glass and grinning. Conversation quieted, and everyone turned to him as he made the toast.
“Here’s to my brother and future sister-in-law,” Tanner began, lifting his glass in the toast. “May you have all the happiness in the world and a lifetime of love.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. “May your hearts be filled with joy and may passion fill your nights,” he said, causing a murmur of agreement to ripple through the room. He turned to the couple. “To Ethan and Jane. Cheers.”
Tanner’s words hung in the air as people cheered.
Ethan grinned and tipped his glass to Jane’s. “Here’s to our future.”
“Together and forever,” she replied.
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