Page 95 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

He whistled. “You’re beautiful, Matti.”

“So are you.” She mentally thanked her mom for telling her to dress up. Otherwise she probably would have put on something casual instead of the dress she’d only worn once for a friend’s wedding.

Ryan stepped inside, then made a circle with his finger, and she turned around for him. The blue-gray dress went perfectly with his suit. Simple and sleek, the knee-length dress had a cowl neckline and spaghetti straps, and fit snug to her body. Her favorite part was the slit that came halfway up her leg. She wore heeled silver sandals that strapped around her ankles.

“I’m going to have to fight off all the men tonight who look at you and want you.”

“There’s only one man I have eyes for.”

“And who would that be?”

She laughed. “If you have to ask, I haven’t—”

He kissed her.

By the time he let her up for air, she was ready to drag him to the bedroom and have her wicked way with him. Who needed dinner, anyway?

“Come with me,” he said, taking her hand.

He led her to the back door, and although confused, she walked out to her back patio with him. As soon as they stepped outside, she stopped and blinked. Candles were scattered around, some on the small tables and some on the patio floor. On one table was a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice, on a plate were two Danishes, and next to them was one to-go cup of coffee.

Very weird. “What’s going on?”

He took both her hands and faced her. “Do you remember what you said the morning I brought you coffee and Danishes?”

“No.”

“Matti, Matti, Matti.” He gave her a drawn-out sigh. “It was probably the most important conversation we’ve had. I remember every word.”

If there wasn’t an amused gleam in his eyes, she would worry that she’d disappointed him somehow. “Maybe remind me?”

“Happy to. You said when I brought you coffee and Danishes that you might decide to marry me.”

“Okay, I remember something about that.”

“And then I said, ‘Only propose to me if you mean it. And I’ll expect you to drop to a knee or the answer will be no.’ That ringing any bells?”

A smile that felt like it stretched from ear to ear formed on her face. He was proposing…rather, she was. And this, his way of doing it, was perfect for them. She dropped to her knees and lifted her face up.

“Dr. Ryan Palmer, would you make me the happiest woman in the world and marry me?”

He dropped down in front of her. “Matti Colton, there is nothing more I’d rather do.” He pulled a small black-velvet box from his pocket, lifted it for her to see, and opened the lid.

She gasped. The white-gold ring with an emerald cut diamond and two smaller diamonds on each side of it was beautiful, one she would have chosen.

“If you don’t like it, we can—”

“No, I’m keeping it. It’s beautiful, Ryan.” She held up her hand. “Put it on me.”

“All right, then.” He grinned. “I love you, Matti,” he said as he slid the ring on. “I wasn’t looking for you, but I’m damned glad I found you.”

“I love you, too, and you finding me is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

They kissed, they drank champagne, and they ate the Danishes. And then they went to dinner.

As Ryan drove them to the restaurant, she couldn’t stop looking at the ring on her finger. Getting married hadn’t been on her radar. Adopting a son hadn’t been either. But sometimes, the best things happened when you weren’t expecting it.

Sam’s adoption was proceeding without a hitch and appeared that it would be official faster than usual for these things. Her job working with foster children and families certainly helped, as did the stable home she and Ryan were offering. And Kelly, she was a rock star, staying on the adoption every step of the way. Actually, Matti suspected the adoption agency would be happy to see the last of Kelly and her follow-up phone calls and visits.