Chapter 21
Deacon drops onto the couch next to me.
It’s New Year’s Eve, and we’re here for two more days before returning to Auckland.
We’ve had a good break, but I think we’re both ready to be alone together.
There’s always a buzz in this place. Mum especially fusses over Deacon, and I get it—it’s like her long, lost son has come home.
Tensions have even eased between Deacon and Lucas. I’m not sure they’ll ever be good friends again, but they tolerate each other which I can handle.
“How do you feel about going for a walk?” Deacon asks.
He leans his head on my shoulder, and I rest my head on his. “I think I’d like that.”
“We’ll go visit our old haunts.”
I laugh. “Are you sure you don’t want to go for a walk with Lucas instead? I’m pretty sure you had more places to hang out with him than me.”
He raises his head and places a kiss under my ear. “No, Pippa. Only you.”
Standing, he holds out his hand, and I take it, letting him pull me up.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“You’ll see.”
After walking out into the sunshine and down the driveway, we turn to the left and stroll the very short distance to the nearby reserve.
“What are we doing here?” I laugh.
“Well, I remember having to climb this tree to rescue a cat who probably didn’t need rescuing because a little girl decided she would go after him and she got stuck.”
I chuckle. “Oh, Roger.”
“It’s still the weirdest name for a cat.”
I place my hand on the trunk. “You know, this is where I decided I was in love with you.”
He grins. “And you were what, five?”
Nodding, I look up at the branches. “I was. You were the much more grown-up age of twelve. You and Lucas got me to jump and the two of you caught me.”
When I shift my gaze back to him, he’s down on one knee.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“Pippa Chapman. I have loved you for your whole life. Maybe it wasn’t the same kind of love when I rescued Roger from the tree as it is now, but it was love nonetheless.”
I laugh, covering my mouth with my hand. This is madness. I never thought that I’d ever find love with Deacon—not really. I’d always thought I’d watch from afar as he fell in love and married someone else.
“You loving me makes me the luckiest man in the world. Will you marry me?”
My heart races. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
“Pippa? You’re scaring me.”
Deacon never doubts himself, but in that moment, all I see is doubt reflected in his eyes. Does he think I’m not going to … Oh wait … my brain’s saying yes, but my mouth …
“Yes. Yes. I want to marry you very, very much.”
He takes the ring out of the box, and I get a closer look. It’s a simple white gold band with a large princess-cut diamond.
He slides the ring onto my finger as tears roll down my cheeks. I thought the best moment of my life was when he said he loved me, but this? This will never, ever be topped.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“You’re so beautiful. I thought my princess deserved a princess.” He rises to his feet. “I love you.”
I sob as he gathers me in his arms. “I love you too.”
He chuckles in my ear. “Can you say that with a little less crying?”
“I’m just so happy,” I whisper.
“Me too, Pipsqueak. Me too.”
“Don’t call me that.” I pull back and glare at him.
All he does is grin. “Stopped you crying.” He places a gentle kiss on my lips. “Let’s go tell your family.”
“Our family.”
Deacon’s eyes mist over, and he nods. “Our family.”
Lizzy’s beat-up Toyota Corolla sits in the driveway, and I roll my eyes.
“Don’t let that upset you,” Deacon says, giving my hand a squeeze.
“I’m not. It’s just funny how she suddenly starts visiting my parents when you’re around.”
He knocks his shoulder into mine. “Our news should bring it home to her.”
I grin. I think I’m going to spend the rest of my life grinning with Deacon by my side. He’s been so wonderful and accommodating coming back here for Christmas when he never wanted to return. But there was still a small part of me that believed our relationship was more one-sided than it actually is.
I’ve been in love with Deacon forever.
I know he loves me, but just how much I wasn’t sure—still letting my insecurities beat what my heart tells me.
Every day he shows me that he loves me more than I realise. He gives and gives and expects nothing in return. Being with him is easy, and I can just be myself.
Mum and Dad are watching TV when we walk into the living room. Lucas sits on the couch with Lizzy alongside him.
Her eyes light up when we enter the room. I’m not stupid. It’s not me she’s excited to see.
Deacon slips his arm around my waist.
“We’ve got something to tell you all,” I say.
Mum and Dad turn and smile. Lucas looks at us with one eyebrow raised. Lizzy fixes her gaze on me.
I hold out my hand, showing off my ring. “Deacon and I are engaged.”
My mother cries out, leaping to her feet and rushing over to me. She wraps me in a tight hug. Dad’s right behind her, shaking Deacon’s hand before gently removing my mother’s arms from me and wrapping his own around me.
“I’m so happy for you, love,” he says. “Deacon checked with me a couple of days ago and me and your mum are over the moon.”
I peck him on the cheek. “Thank you, Dad.”
When he lets go of me, Lucas rises and makes his way over.
“Congratulations, Pip.” Lucas kisses my cheek. He holds out his hand to Deacon.
I hold my breath, but only for a moment as Deacon accepts the handshake.
“I know my sister couldn’t be in better hands,” Lucas says.
Deacon nods. “I’ll always take good care of her.”
Lucas smiles. “I’m happy for you two.”’
“Congrats, Pippa.” Lizzy waves at us from the couch. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.
No. He’s all mine. No amount of flirting is going to take him from me.
“Thanks, Lizzy.” I flash my ring around a bit, making sure she sees it shine.
It’s petty, but I can’t believe she’s still here to flirt with my fiancé.
She can find her own man.
Deacon wraps his arms around my waist from behind, and I lean into him.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he murmurs. “No one holds a candle to you, Pip. I love you more than life itself.”
I close my eyes as he plants a kiss on my neck.
Every day I feel more secure in his love—never more so than today.
But I still have that sinking feeling that something’s coming.
Something that will blow everything apart.