“Shyanne!”
I know that voice. “David?” I say into the microphone and shade my eyes so I can see. I grin when I see a row of my friends on the first level pointing towards the aisle. I run my eyes to the right and my heart stops and my lips pull up into a smile bigger than the Cheshire Cat.
David.
“Shyanne!” he shouts as he runs down the steps to the floor level.
My heart flips and tears of joy fill my eyes. He came. He’s trying to make his way through a throng of people. I speak into the microphone, “Please, let him pass!”
I drop the mic and rush out of the cage. I have to jump to get to the arena floor and then I start running up the aisle. Camera crews and reporters scurry to reset and follow along.
“Shyanne! I love you!” he calls out. His voice is closer, but I still can’t see him.
Jumping to see over the crowd, I shout, “I love you too!”
The crowd finally catches on to what’s happening and parts like the Red Sea. And there he is. I see him. He’s close, but not close enough. I run and jump into his arms, taking his face in my palms, and kiss him with all the untethered emotions that threaten to overcome me. The crowd cheers wildly, but I don’t hear them. All I hear and feel is David. He came.
Suddenly he breaks the kiss and gently lowers me. “Shy, I fucked up. I have so much to say to you. I was scared and I felt like I had no control over keeping you safe. Making you choose was a dick move and I’m sorry. I should have remembered that love is the best protector of all because love never fails. I failed you, Shy, but I am hoping you can forgive me because I can’t live the rest of my life without you. I love you, Shyanne.”
Tears flow down my cheeks unheeded. With a nervous tic of his lips, his eyes shine brightly as he fumbles in his pocket. He pulls out a small blue box and kneels.
I gasp and my hands fly to my mouth in stunned surprise. Am I dreaming? The crowd’s wild cheers turn to silence. All cameras in the venue are pointed directly at us. I don’t care about any of that. I’m drowning in the love I find in David’s eyes.
He takes my left hand and kisses my unadorned ring finger before looking up at me. “I love you, Shyanne. Will you marry me?”
I nod my head violently and laugh out loud, “Yes! I love you, David. Can we go home now?”
David stands and pulls me into his arms with a chuckle and spins us around. “Yes, my love. Let’s go home.”
He takes my hand and together we run down the tunnel, out of the Garden… and right into our happily ever after.
What’s Next in the Faire Island Brides Series?
Grounds for Love
After losing their parents, Jennifer and her younger sister move to Faire Island for a new start, away from the places and things that hold too many memories.
She never expected to have an uncommonly strong attraction to the one man she can never have. The same man her sister has her sights set on.
At forty-five, Rod Murphy thought his days of romance died along with his wife years ago. Then the sweetest, kindest woman he’d ever met stepped onto his ferry.
At one time he had moves. Either he’s rusty or his moves have become obsolete because he can’t get Jennifer Marsh to even go out for coffee. And she owns the coffee shop!
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