Page 22 of Falling for the Delta
He laughed once more and tingles went down Holly’s spine. She was glad he didn’t call her on her daydreaming. He touched her arm, then took her hand in his. “Leave the flowers here, we’ll get them later. Come on, up you go,” he said.
Holly stood up and didn’t feel at all apprehensive about walking with her eyes closed. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that Dash would never let her fall or get hurt. He wrapped his arm around her waist and she leaned against him as they walked.
Without a word, he steered them forward. The ground they were walking on changed from concrete or asphalt to grass. She could hear birds chirping overhead and the sound of cars driving nearby.
Dash stopped them and turned her. His hands rested on her shoulders for a moment before he said, “You can open your eyes now.”
Holly blinked a few times, trying to let her eyes adjust to the light once more.
The first thing she saw was Dash’s beautiful hazel eyes. He had long lashes that ought to be illegal on a man. He was staring down at her with so much love, she immediately felt her throat closing up with emotion.
“I love you, Holly Culver,” he said in a low, earnest tone. “You’re the shining light in my life. Everything I do has more meaning now that I have you. I feel as if I was just going through the motions of living before I met you. You make me want to be a better person simply so you’ll be proud of me.”
“I am proud of you,” Holly couldn’t help but interrupt. She hadn’t looked around to see where he’d brought her, being content to just stare at her man. He was so damn handsome in his uniform.
Dash leaned down and kissed her forehead tenderly. Then he physically turned her so she was standing with her back to him.
Holly gasped at the sight in front of her.
She immediately recognized it as Dash’s small backyard, but it had been totally transformed. A large white tent had been erected, complete with white fairy lights. A lone table sat under it with a white tablecloth and two place settings. Two huge bouquets of flowers on pedestals were arranged near the table, along with a bottle of what she figured was probably champagne chilling in an elevated bucket. Off to the left of the yard were a big screen and a projector, along with a loveseat, and a ton of blankets and pillows.
It was the most romantic thing Holly had ever seen. She turned to tell Dash that it was all too much—and was surprised to see her man on one knee. He was smiling up at her…with a small black box in his hand.
Tears immediately sprang to Holly’s eyes. “What? How? Dash…”
“I’ve been thinking about doing this for close to a year,” Dash said. “I’ve loved you from almost the first time I saw you. I know a lot of people dismiss love at first sight, but I know for a fact it’s a real thing. I love you, Holly. Will you marry me? I know being with a Delta Force soldier isn’t easy, but you’ve proven over the last year that you can handle it. Can handle me. Please make me the happiest man in the world and say you’ll be mine forever.
“Yes,” Holly managed to say even though she was crying. “Although you should know that I’ll be yours forever even if we aren’t married. Just as you’re mine.”
Dash smiled and stood up. He took her hand in his and slipped a ring with a huge pear-shaped diamond down her finger.
“Oh my gosh, Dash! It’s huge!”
“That’s what she said,” he teased.
Holly burst out laughing. She threw herself at her fiancé and knew she was smiling like a loon. “I love you so much!” she exclaimed.
When Dash put her on her feet again, she gestured toward the yard. “This is amazing.”
“Yup. Come on, dinner’s probably ready to be served.”
“Served? Jeez, Dash, did you hire waiters?”
“Yup,” he said without hesitation. “And a chef too. I know how you feel about fancy restaurants, so I decided to bring the restaurant to you. Here. Where you can feel comfortable and you don’t have to put on dress-up clothes. And I’ve got The Truth about Cats and Dogs all cued up for us to watch after we eat.”
“I love that movie,” Holly whispered.
“I know,” Dash said with a tender smile.
Holly cozied up to her man and put her arms around his shoulders. “This is the best Valentine’s Day ever,” she whispered.
“So far,” Dash corrected.
“You can’t top this. Ever,” Holly said firmly. She recognized the stubborn look on her man’s face. “That wasn’t a challenge,” she added.
“Uh-huh,” he said.
Damn, she loved this man. “I’ve heard that an engagement isn’t final until it’s sealed with a kiss.”
