Book 5 - Page 144 (1/2)

“Oh.” I licked my lips, tasting him. “I’m glad. There’s a fob that goes with it, in the box.”

Placing the pocket watch carefully into its pouch, he tucked it into his pocket. “I have something for you, too.”

“Keep it clean,” I teased him back. “We’ve got an audience.”

Gideon looked over his shoulder and saw how many of our family members had stepped outside onto the deck. The caterer had stocked the outside kitchen with beverages and easy finger foods, and people were starting to poke through it all while the pork for the posole cooked in the oven.

He held out his fist, then opened it to show me the gorgeous wedding band in his palm. Large round diamonds in a channel setting circled the entire band, shooting multi-hued sparks.

My fingers covered my mouth, my eyes watering all over again. The salt-flavored breeze danced around us, carrying the plaintive cries of seagulls soaring over the waves. The rhythmic surge of the tide against the sh.o.r.e lapped over my feet, anchoring me in the moment.

I reached for the ring with trembling fingers.

Gideon’s hand closed up and he grinned. “Not yet.”

“What?” I pushed at his shoulder. “Don’t tease me!”

“Ah, but I always deliver,” he purred.

I glared at him. The wicked smirk faded.

His fingers brushed over my cheek. “I’m so proud to be your husband,” he said solemnly. “It’s my greatest accomplishment to have been found worthy of that honor in your eyes.”

“Oh, Gideon.” How he dazzled me. I was so overwhelmed by him, so filled by his love. “I’m the lucky one.”

“You’ve changed my life, Eva. And you did the impossible: you transformed me. I like who I am now. I never thought that would happen.”

“You were always wonderful,” I said fervently. “I loved you when I saw you. I love you more now.”

“There aren’t words to tell you what you mean to me.” He opened his hand again. “But I hope that when you see this ring on your hand, you’ll remember that you s.h.i.+ne as brightly as diamonds in my life and you’re infinitely more precious.”