“That was the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to, especially knowing what she’s been through to get there.”

“I know. It was so cool that Toby’s parents were there, too. That meant a lot to her.”

They fell silent for the rest of the ride home. Paul tried not to think about the tension he felt coming from her, but rather tried to stay focused on his plans—and his agenda. He brought his truck to a stop in the driveway outside the house and turned off the engine.

“Give me five minutes, and I’ll be back to get you, okay?” He’d set everything up before he left.

“Oh, um, okay.”

He loved that nervous little hitch in her voice. He loved that she had no idea what was about to happen. The only thing that could make this better was if he knew what her answer would be. But he’d chosen to have faith in what he felt for her and what he knew she felt for him, even if the words had never been spoken.

With a spring in his step, he bounded up the stairs and went inside to light the candles he’d bought at Tiffany’s store with this moment in mind. In deference to the chill in the October air, he also lit the fire he’d laid earlier, hoping it would be cool enough for it.

Paul took a critical look at the room before he went back outside to help her out of the truck. He would’ve loved to pick her up and carry her inside, but he erred on the side of reserve so he wouldn’t scare her off. He kept a light grip on her hand, though, as he led her up the stairs, letting her go ahead of him into the house.

She stopped right inside the door. “Paul… What… What’s all this?”

“Come in, and I’ll tell you.” He helped her out of his tuxedo coat that she’d worn home and tossed it over a chair.

Though she curled her hand around his, he felt her reluctance in every step she took to the sofa, where they sat next to each other.

He turned to face her, and the wariness he saw in her expression had him aching for the suffering that had made it so difficult for her to trust him. Here goes…

Linking their fingers, he gazed into her eyes. “Remember when we talked about you and Ethan staying here, and I said I’d take care of you?”

She bit her lip and nodded. “I remember.”

“It occurred to me afterward that I’d left out a few important details.”

“What details?”

His heart pounded double time as he dropped to his knees before her.

She gasped. “Paul…”