Chapter 19 #2
“And you're overthinking it,” I finished gently. “Jaxon, Anna loves you. She'd say yes if you asked her while taking out the trash. You don't need some elaborate production.”
“Maybe not. But she deserves something special.” His voice was soft now, vulnerable in a way I rarely heard from him. “After everything she went through with Daniel, after all the fear and trauma, I want this to be perfect. I want it to be a moment she remembers forever for the right reasons.”
The mention of Daniel, Anna's psychotic ex who'd tried to kill both her and Jaxon less than six months ago, made my chest tight with sympathy. Anna had been through hell, had escaped an abusive relationship only to have it follow her here, escalating to violence that had nearly ended Jaxon’s life.
She deserved perfect. She deserved everything.
“Okay,” I said, my mind already spinning with possibilities. “Let's figure this out. First, do you have a ring?”
“No. I've been looking online but I have no idea what she'd like. Classic? Modern? Diamond? Something else?” He pulled out his phone, showing me a dozen tabs open to various jewelry websites. “I'm completely lost.”
I took his phone, scrolling through the options he'd been considering. They were all beautiful. Traditional engagement rings with various stone settings and band styles. But none of them screamed Anna to me.
“What does Anna like?” I asked, handing the phone back. “Not what you think she should like, or what's traditional. What does Anna actually like?”
Jaxon was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. “She wears that vintage necklace her grandmother gave her all the time. The one with the sapphire pendant. And she's always drawn to antique stores, likes things with history, with stories behind them.”
“So not a traditional solitaire diamond,” I said, the idea forming. “Something vintage-inspired. Maybe a colored stone? Sapphire, since she loves that necklace?”
“Yeah.” Jaxon's eyes brightened. “Yeah, that sounds right. But where would I even find something like that? The jewelry stores I've looked at online all have the same basic styles.”
“There's a jeweler in town,” I said slowly. “Kemper’s, on Second Street. Mr. Kemper specializes in custom pieces and estate jewelry. He helped me design a necklace for my mom's birthday a few years ago. He's incredible and could probably find something perfect or design something custom.”
“Would he be open today? It's Saturday.”
“Only one way to find out.” I pulled out my phone and found Kemper's number, still saved from when I'd worked with him before. The phone rang three times before a familiar gravelly voice answered.
“Kempers's Fine Jewelry.”
“Mr. Kemper, this is Harper Walsh. I don't know if you remember me, but I worked with you a few years ago on a custom necklace.”
“Of course I remember you, dear. How are you? I heard about the fire, terrible thing. Are you alright?”
The genuine concern in his voice made my throat tight. “I'm okay, thank you. Mr. Kemper, I'm actually calling because I have a friend who needs help finding an engagement ring. Something vintage-inspired, possibly with a colored stone. Would you have time to meet with us today?”
“For an engagement ring? Absolutely. I love helping young men pick the perfect piece for their ladies. When can you come by?”
I looked at Jaxon, raising my eyebrows in question. He nodded immediately.
“We could come now, if that works?”
“Perfect. I'll put on a fresh pot of coffee and pull out some options. See you soon, dear.”
He hung up, and I turned to Jaxon with a smile. “Looks like we're going ring shopping. You ready for this?”
“As ready as I'll ever be.” But he looked relieved, grateful to have a concrete plan, a next step. “Thank you, Harper. Really. I know you have a lot on your plate right now and this…”
“This is perfect,” I interrupted. “This is exactly what I need—something happy to focus on instead of my impending doom. Plus, I love Anna. Of course I want to help you make this special.”
I grabbed my purse and my jacket, flipped the sign to closed even though it was only one, and locked the door behind us. The warm April sunshine felt good on my face after hours inside, and for the first time in two weeks, I felt something other than fear and anxiety.
Kemper's Fine Jewelry was a small shop tucked between the hardware store and a bakery, easy to miss if you didn't know it was there. The storefront was elegant but understated with a simple gold sign and a window display featuring a few carefully selected pieces against black velvet.
Mr. Kemper himself greeted us at the door. He was in his seventies with silver hair, sharp blue eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses, and the steady hands of someone who'd spent a lifetime working with delicate things.
“Harper! Wonderful to see you, dear. And you must be the young man looking for a ring.” He shook Jaxon's hand with a firm grip. “Come in, come in. I've pulled out some pieces I think you'll like.”
The interior of the shop was warm and intimate. Dark wood cases displayed jewelry under soft lighting, comfortable chairs positioned for consultations, and the faint smell of furniture polish and coffee mingled with classical music that played softly from hidden speakers.
Mr. Kemper led us to a private consultation area in the back, where a small table held a black velvet tray covered with rings.
“Now,” he said, settling into his chair with the ease of long practice. “Harper mentioned vintage-inspired with a colored stone. Tell me about your lady. What's she like?”
Jaxon's expression softened immediately. “She's incredible. Strong and smart and kind. She went through hell and came out the other side even better than before. She deserves something special. Something that says I see her and love everything I see.”
The raw honesty in his voice made my eyes burn with happy tears.
Mr. Kemper smiled. “That's exactly what I needed to hear. Let me show you what I have.”
He started pulling rings from the tray, each one a small work of art. Vintage designs from different eras—Art Deco geometrics, Victorian florals, Edwardian delicacy. Sapphires in varying shades of blue, emeralds, rubies, even some stunning combinations of stones I'd never seen before.
Jaxon examined each one carefully, asking questions about the stones and settings and history. But I could see him struggling. They were all beautiful, but none of them were quite right.
Then Mr. Kemper pulled out a ring from a separate case, one he'd apparently been saving.
“This just came in yesterday,” he said, holding it up to the light.
“Estate piece from the 1920s. Art Deco design, platinum setting.
The center stone is a deep blue Ceylon sapphire, about two carats.
Surrounded by small diamonds in a geometric pattern.
It's one of the most beautiful rings I've ever seen.”
He placed it on the velvet, and even I caught my breath.
It was stunning. The sapphire was the exact shade of Anna's eyes, that deep, clear blue that seemed to shift in different light.
The Art Deco setting was elegant without being fussy, the geometric patterns giving it a modern feel despite its age.
The platinum had that soft glow that only came with vintage pieces.
“That's it,” Jaxon breathed, picking it up with careful hands. “That's perfect. That's—Harper, is this right? Would Anna love this?”
I looked at the ring, imagining it on Anna's finger, and felt absolute certainty. “She'll love it. Jaxon, it's perfect.”
“The band can be sized if needed,” Mr. Kemper said. “And I can have it ready by Monday if you'd like to take it then.”
“Monday's perfect.” Jaxon was still staring at the ring like he couldn't quite believe it was real. “How much?”
Mr. Kemper quoted a price that made me wince internally. Expensive, but not outrageous for such a unique piece. Jaxon didn't even blink.
“Done. I'll take it.”
While Mr. Kemper rang up the purchase and discussed sizing, cleaning, and care instructions, I sat back and watched Jaxon's face. He looked terrified and excited and so obviously in love it made my heart ache with happiness.
This was what love was supposed to look like. Not fear and threats and broken windows. But this—two people choosing each other, committing to a future together, finding joy in small details like picking the perfect ring.
When the paperwork was done, we stepped back out into the spring sunshine.
“Thank you,” Jaxon said, turning to face me on the sidewalk. “Harper, seriously. I couldn't have done this without you.”
“You're welcome. But Jaxon, we're not done yet.” I grinned at him. “You have the ring. Now we need to plan the proposal.”
His expression turned nervous again. “Right. The proposal. I was thinking maybe dinner? Something nice, romantic?”
“That's good, but you can do better.” I pulled out my phone, my mind already racing with ideas. “What's something that's meaningful to both of you? Something connected to your relationship?”
Jaxon thought for a moment. “The ranch, I guess? That's where we met. Where we fell in love. Where,” he cleared his throat, his expression darkening slightly. “Where I almost lost her.”
“Then that's where you should propose,” I said gently. “Take something that holds bad memories and make good ones. Show her that you're choosing to build a future there together.”
“How?”
And that's when the perfect idea hit me.
“Anna loves her horses,” I said slowly. “She always talks about how peaceful it is to ride, how it helps her think and process. What if you proposed on horseback? Made it an adventure?”
Jaxon's eyes widened. “On horseback?”
“Hear me out.” I was getting excited now, the plan forming fully in my mind.
“You take her on a sunset ride. Pack a picnic, make it seem like a romantic date but nothing that would make her suspicious. Ride out to somewhere beautiful on the property. And then—” I paused for effect, “—you get down on one knee and ask her to marry you with the sunset and the mountains and everything you've built together as the backdrop.”
I could see him considering it, the idea taking root.
“That could work,” he said slowly. “That could really work.” Jaxon pulled me into a quick hug that was full of gratitude. “You're the best, Harper. Seriously. Connor's a lucky guy.”
“I'm the lucky one,” I said, but I was smiling when he released me. “So when are you thinking? For the proposal?”
“Next weekend? Saturday evening? That gives me time to plan the route, set everything up, maybe practice what I'm going to say.”
“Don't practice too much,” I advised. “The best proposals are from the heart, not rehearsed. Just tell her what you told Mr. Kemper, that she's incredible and strong and you love everything about her.”
“I can do that.” He looked more confident now, the nervousness replaced by determination. “Next Saturday. Choco for Anna, one of the other horses for me. I'll plan a route out to that overlook on the north side of the property. You know the one where you can see the whole valley?”
“That's perfect, Jaxon. And it'll be Saturday, which means everyone else will be at Connor's for dinner. We can all celebrate afterwards once she says yes.”
We started walking back toward the boutique, my step lighter than it had been in weeks. Planning Jaxon's proposal had given me something positive to focus on, a reminder that good things still happened, that love still existed outside of fear and threats.
“Harper?” Jaxon's voice was serious now. “You know Connor's going to propose to you eventually, right?”
The words made me stumble slightly. “What? We've only been together a few weeks.”
“Doesn't matter. I've seen the way he looks at you. The way he talks about you when you're not around.” Jaxon's smile was knowing. “That man is planning his future, and you're in every part of it. Might not be next month or even this year, but it's coming.”
The thought made my chest tight with a mixture of hope and fear. “We have to survive whatever Silas and Armand are planning first.”
“You will.” Jaxon's voice was certain. “Davies is closing in on them.
The blood Chester left on whoever broke in is being analyzed.
They're tracking down leads. And in the meantime, you've got all of us protecting you.
You're going to be fine, Harper. You're going to get through this and build a life with Connor and be ridiculously happy.”
I wanted to believe him. To imagine a future where I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder, where I could think about proposals and weddings and forever without terror lurking in the background like a monster under the bed.
“I hope you're right.”
“I'm always right. Ask Anna.” He grinned, then checked his watch. “We should probably head back. Connor will wonder where we disappeared to.”
“You're not going to tell him about the proposal, are you?”
“Hell no. The man can't keep a secret to save his life. He'd tell Anna within five minutes of finding out.” Jaxon pulled out his phone. “I'll just text him that we're running an errand. He doesn't need details.”
We walked back to the boutique in comfortable silence, the spring sun warm on our faces. It was a perfect ending to the day, and I already couldn’t wait until next weekend.