Page 286 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“That’s what you want? To deal with this? Because I don’t know when it’s going to end.”

She frowned, surprised as she looked up at him. “Of course.”

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the last couple of days… So many shitty things have happened here…”

“Nate—”

“How can I ask you to stay and make a life on the island? How is that fair? Maybe Manhattan might be better—”

She stepped away as her stomach grew queasy. “You want me to leave?”

He jerked his shoulders again. “You haven’t gotten rid of the apartment yet. There’s so much more to do in the city—the art and culture. And that view of yours… I can look into working for one of the precincts—”

Her eyes filled as she realized what he was saying—what he was willing to give up for her. “No.”

“Callie—”

“No. I love it here.” She closed the distance between them, taking his hands. “I belong here with you. This is my home. You’re my home, Nate.”

“I need to know you’re happy. There’s nothing more important to me than your happiness.”

“I am happy. Bad things have happened here—terrible, horrible things—but there are so many wonderful things too. The day you popped your head out from beneath the kitchen sink… You’ve changed everything—my whole life, Nate. Things are hard right now, but this is exactly where I want to be. With you. Living our lives together.”

He hugged her, exhaling a shaky breath next to her ear. “God, I love you.”

She embraced him, nuzzling her face against his neck. “I love you too.”

“I want you to marry me.” He eased back, staring into her eyes. “Marry me, Callie.”

She blinked when she couldn’t find the words to speak.

He captured her hands as he sank down on one knee. “Be my wife. Have babies with me and help me raise them right here in our home. Teach your stained glass classes and kick some ass with my sisters. Be mine forever. That’s all I need, Callie, is for you to be mine forever.”

She nodded, fighting back her emotions as he asked her to share with him everything she’d ever wanted. “Yes.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded again as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Hell, yeah.” He rushed to his feet and picked her up, spinning around in a fast circle while Winston barked.

She laughed as he set her back down.

He cradled her face. “We’re doing this?”

“You’re stuck with me.”

“I don’t have a ring yet. This is completely unromantic and not at all the way I planned to propose.”

“I don’t care.” She pressed her lips to his. “I’m not worried about rings and candlelight and flowers. I just want to be with you.”

He kissed her, taking them both deeper. “You know, I have some time before I need to be back. We could go home and make out for a little while.”

She laughed. “Absolutely.”

He scooped her up and carried her toward the Tahoe as Winston followed by their side.

“I’m perfectly capable of walking.”

He shook his head. “You need to rest your knee.”

She batted her lashes. “My hero.”

“Serve and protect, ma’am. That’s my duty.”

She laughed again as he grinned and pulled his face closer to hers for another kiss.

The End