Epilogue #2
I’ve been carrying around the ring box in my pocket, trying to turn away from her when she leans up against me so she doesn’t feel it against my leg.
I planned this trip before she even got the book deal, but after she did, it seemed like the perfect excuse to present the vacation to her and propose without her being too suspicious.
Since her father has been suffering from an advanced case of dementia, I asked permission for her hand in marriage from her four brothers the last time Sterling was home. It went exactly like I’d expected it to.
I clear my throat. “I’d like to talk to y’all about something.”
Duke flicks his card on the felt table, eyes narrowing. “Is she pregnant?”
Four sets of glaring eyes settle on me, weighing me down like a wet blanket.
“What? No, of course not,” I rush out.
Sighs of relief fill the room.
Cash plays his card. “Then what is it?”
I reach into my pocket, pulling out my grandmother’s marquise diamond ring. I had the setting redesigned and fitted onto a new gold band that had been melted down from the old one to fit Dolly’s finger. I set the crimson velvet box in the center of the table.
Each one of them grows completely still. The clock on the wall ticks ten times before I finally clear my throat.
“I’d like to ask your permission to marry her.”
I’ve never seen them be so quiet. After what feels like minutes but can’t possibly have been that long, Sterling stands and stretches out a hand to me. I grab it, almost wincing when he squeezes it hard. He pulls me in, clapping me on the back.
“Welcome to the family, brother. You’re a good man, Sam.”
Cash stands next, a smile on his lips as he pulls me into a bear hug. “Do we have to keep this a secret now?”
“Yeah, I’m not ready to ask her yet. I’m planning it out.”
Holden’s face is more solemn, and I must be seeing things because it looks like his eyes are glassy. He grabs my hand, holding it tighter than even Cash did.
“You’ll take care of her—I know you will. I’m glad it’s you.” He hugs me, and I really must be drunk because I think I hear him sniffle.
Duke’s waiting for me behind Holden, and he actually is crying and not even trying to hide it. I blink at my best friend, hoping these are happy tears and I’m not about to get my face bruised by his fist.
“Man, I’ve always thought of you as a brother, but this is better than anything I could’ve dreamed of.” He wraps both arms around me, squeezing me to him and laughing. “I wanna be an uncle again, you hear? I expect a baby in a year or less.”
“Damn, okay, I’ll start on that right away.”
He shoves me back, shaking his head. “Good.”
Rosie and Monroe were ecstatic to plan the engagement party, which will be at Redford Ranch the day we get home. It’s a bookish-themed party, and I didn’t even pretend to know what that meant. I just sent them a picture of my credit card and told them to spare no expense.
After staying in Forks for two nights and seeing all the places Dolly had on her bucket list, we drive to the beachfront cabin I rented on the coast. I had the place stocked with food and wine, but not anything she needs to prepare because I want her to relax.
On our first night, we go to bed early so we can have some fun exploring each other.
She’s really gotten into the bondage with the rope, and I knew she’d be happy I’d brought it with me.
She also loves when I spank her. My handprints are probably still faintly visible on her ass cheeks this morning.
When I wake up in the morning, I have a text from the photographer, asking me to let her know the exact time we’ll be down at the beach. I wanted to propose at sunrise, so after I make coffee, I gently shake her awake.
“Hey, beautiful. You wanna get dressed and watch the sunrise down at the beach?”
She groans, flipping over underneath the fluffy white duvet. “I guess. If you made some of your delicious coffee.”
“Of course, baby.” I already have two to-go mugs in my hand with creamer in them.
She climbs out of bed and runs a brush through her hair and puts on her glasses before throwing on a big puffer jacket, boots, and a hat. She’s cold-natured, and the weather here is freezing during winter.
Once she’s ready, I hand her the coffee I made her and open the door. The sound of the waves greets us, along with the cold morning air. Our breath fogs up in front of us.
“Next trip, let’s go to Hawaii.”
I laugh, hugging her closer. “Deal. You’ve seen Forks now, and that’s what matters.” But I hate the cold, and I’d much prefer a warmer beach.
She smiles up at me, cheeks pink from the cold.
I reach down and check to make sure the ring box is in my coat pocket.
My chest tightens with nerves. The old, familiar feelings of self-doubt are ever present, even though I’ve mostly been able to move on and convince myself that I’m not ruining her life and future by being with her. I’m nothing like my sperm donor was.
Once we get to the spot I planned for the photographer to meet us at, there’s a large rock formation rising in the middle of sand.
The waves are crashing against it, sending the ocean spray into the air, just as the sun starts rising up on the other side of it, casting a pink glow around the entire sky. Dolly pauses to watch the beauty of it.
I know now is the time, but my legs won’t move. I need to drop down to one knee and tell her all the reasons I’m in love with her and that I’ll spend the rest of time making sure she never forgets it, with my words and my actions.
But my tongue is tied. My knees feel wobbly. My hands are trembling. I reach into my pocket and slowly remove the ring box.
A movement to the right startles me, but when I turn to look, it’s the photographer I picked out online, crouching behind a pine tree.
She gives me a nod that says, Now, buddy. Do it now!
I know she’s right. The light is perfect. I manage to force myself down to one knee right behind Dolly, who is still admiring the sunrise and sipping on her coffee.
“I wish I’d brought my phone so I could get a picture of this,” she muses.
Moisture is seeping through my jeans from the wet, cold sand. With shaking hands, I manage to pop open the ring box. It’s sparkling beautifully against the velvet. I can’t wait to see her reaction.
“Dolly,” I start.
She turns around, eyes searching for me above her for a moment before dropping down to where I am. Her gaze flutters from me to the ring. A gasp escapes her lips before her hand claps over her mouth. Her stormy eyes widen, blinking rapidly, like she’s afraid this isn’t real.
“I need you to know that I am so nervous here, and even though I had to face all your brothers to ask for permission because I thought it would hurt some feelings if I picked just one, I’m much more nervous right now than I was then.”
She drops her hand a little, just enough that I can see the way the corner of her lips tilts up. It’s all the encouragement I need to keep going.
“I still think you deserve better, by the way, but I doubt you’ll find a better man who’s just as violently protective as I am.
So, in that case, if you let me be your violently protective guard dog for the rest of our lives, I’d really like to beg you to make me the happiest man in the world and do me the honor of becoming my wife.
” I pause to lick my lips and let the words settle over us.
I lift the ring higher, hoping the sparkle will convince her to say yes if my promises aren’t. “Will you marry me, Dolly Mae?”
A tear slips down her cheek, but she slowly nods, holding out her left hand. I pull the ring out and slip it over her finger, feeling a satisfied exhale escape my lips when it fits her perfectly.
As soon as the ring is on, she jumps on me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I pull her down to my knee, hugging and kissing her fiercely.
“I love you so much, Sam. Wow, it’s so pretty!” She holds her hand up, laughing at how perfectly sparkly it is in the light.
I nuzzle her neck, inhaling her scent. “I love you so much more.”
“Did you really ask for all my brothers’ permission?”
I nod. “My hand still hurts from the handshakes. That was months ago.”
She laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Let’s just elope. We don’t need them at the wedding.”
“You can have whatever you want, Baby Red.”