Page 135 of Wilde Ride

“Put the ring on, Daddy! Put the ring on!”

Levi and I both laughed as he took my hand in his and slid the most beautiful ring ever onto my finger. It was a cornflower-blue stone flanked by two white diamonds. The setting looked antique in appearance.

I stared at the ring, then at Levi. “Is this a sapphire?”

He smiled. “You mentioned once that you loved them, and when I saw it, it reminded me of your eyes.”

“How did you know I liked princess-cut stones?”

Levi blushed. “I overheard you telling Lilibeth that the princess cut was your favorite. It’s a Sri Lankan sapphire set in an antique platinum band. The diamonds are original to the band, but I had them replace the main stone with the sapphire.”

I slowly shook my head. “Levi, it’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”

He smiled and placed his hand on the side of my face. “Now, the next big question. When can we get married?”

“Today!” Rhett shouted.

I laughed and looked at the two most important men in my life. “Should we elope?”

Levi drew back in surprise. “You don’t want a big wedding?”

Shaking my head, I said, “Levi, I have been in love with you since I was fourteen. I’d marry you in the county courthouse today if I thought we could get someone to meet us there.”

Taking my hand in his, we finally stood up. A wicked smile appeared on Levi’s face. “I hear Lake Tahoe is beautiful this time of year.”

“What about the Thanksgiving food?” I asked.

“I was never actually going to cook. I just wanted you here so I could ask you. Your mother and father are expecting us over there for Thanksgiving dinner.”

My eyes went wide. “That’s why you wouldn’t let me in the kitchen last night! My parents knew you were going to ask me to marry you?”

“Of course they did,” Levi said. “I asked their permission. After I asked Caden first.”

A warm sensation flooded my entire body. “You did?”

He drew me to him and kissed my forehead. “I did.”

Chewing on my lip, I made the quickest decision I’d ever made in my entire life. Glancing down at Rhett, I asked, “How fast can you pack a bag, Rhett?”

He jumped in excitement! “Super-fast, if you help me!”

Focusing back on Levi, I let out a laugh. “Are we really going to do this?”

He winked. “I’m down if you are!”

“Let’s go to Tahoe!”

“Wait! What about turkey and pie?” Rhett asked.

“Let’s go to Tahoe after Thanksgiving!” I called out as Rhett jumped and cheered.

Levi

Two Months Later

I knocked on the partially open door and peeked my head in. Emeline looked up and smiled as Moose made his way over to say hi. She stood and made her way quickly to me.

“You’re early!” she said, lifting onto her toes for a kiss.