Page 102 of The Grump I Slept With
I hummed.
“Good.” He pecked my cheek, pulling away. “There was actually one more gift for you to open.”
I turned to face him. “Another one? From who?”
He reached out, tugging open another dresser drawer, and produced a small, baby-blue box. He handed it to me with an odd, anxious look on his face. I narrowed my eyes playfully. “Locke.What is this?”
He managed a smile. “Just open it.”
I did, popping the lid off the box to find yet another box. Only this one was smaller and velvet—a jewelry box!
Locke picked it up and sank down to one knee as my heart lurched against my ribs. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but it was all I could do to take in a breath as I realized what was happening.
“I know we’ve been through this once before,” he said, popping the box open to reveal a dazzling ring. “But I wanted to do this again. Do it right, I mean. Because this time, it’sreal.”
A laugh bubbled free as I examined the ring. It was different from the first one he’d given me. But that had only been pretend. This one had three diamonds set next to each other, and I knew they represented Locke, me, and the baby.
Our family.
“I want you to understand that I don’t take this lightly,” he said. “Not many women would agree to be engaged to metwice.”
I laughed, and he caught my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’re wrong about that,” I whispered. “You’re quite the catch.”
“I don’t know about that,” he said. “But I am the man who’s lucky enough to call you the mother of my child. And now I want to be the man who’s lucky enough to call you my wife.”
I swallowed down a delighted sob, his words already making me teary.
“I love you,” Locke said, his voice strong, firm without even a shadow of doubt. “And I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Supporting you. Treasuring you. So, Isla MacRae, will you marry me?”
“I will,” I said, surprised I even managed to get the words out. I couldn’t help gasping out a little sob as he threaded the ring onto my finger. It was a perfect fit.
Locke rose to his feet, catching my jaw between his hands. I tilted my head back, meeting his lips in a heated kiss. I felt deliriously happy as he pulled away, joy filling me to the brim. If I tipped backward, I was pretty sure I would float.
I held my hand out, giving my fingers a little wiggle.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“I love it,” I assured him. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
I threaded my fingers through his, truly feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. I knew he was committed. I knew he’d chosen to come back and stay for his family. But this ring was a tangible symbol of that commitment, and every day, I would get to lookat it and remind myself that Locke and I had already waded through the heartbreak and found our way out to the other side—together. We’d survived our hardships and had emerged stronger, united in this little life that we’d built together.
Andthatwas the best gift he ever could have given me.
32
LOCKE
“Uncle Locke?” Kenna bellowed at the top of her little lungs. “Where are you?”
Isla giggled from her spot on the couch. “You never have to worry about losing her in a crowd.”
“In the library!” I called back just as loudly, causing Isla to roll her eyes. We’d stopped to admire one of the many dazzling Christmas trees Weston had set up in Lochbrae, then the baby had started kicking, and Isla had sat down, groaning in contentment as she sank into the plush cushions.
I hadn’t had the heart to shuffle her on to the dining room just yet, despite Lena’s reminder that lunch was about to be served. I turned just as Kenna darted into the room.
“Uncle Locke, look!”
“What is it, sweetheart?”
