Chapter 42
Brody was pulling her along with secrets in his eyes and mischief written all over him. Cassie knew her man well, and he was definitely up to something — in the middle of the reception. Plus he’d been nervous, as Nathan had said, off and on throughout the whole night.
Her hand curled into his, letting the strength engulf her. Brody walked with her close to his side, their bodies brushing, until they rounded the corner to their special place and Cassie stopped in disbelief. Her jaw dropped open in amazement, and her hands flew to her mouth on a gasp at the surprise waiting.
The patio had been scattered with glass hurricanes filled with candles, and flowers were scattered at random across the sofas and ground. Pitchers of the same flowers had been added to all of the tables. Their delicate fragrance mixed with the sea air.
Cassie turned toward him. “Brody, what’s all this?”
Brody only took her hand and kept moving until they stood in the center. He took another second to look around before drawing her closer, looking at her with a love that was wide and open.
“This? This is our special place. Our secret sanctuary, where we came in the beginning to relax and be alone together. We fell in love here once, and it’s where we found each other again, after all that time apart, and began to heal. We fell in love here again.”
She couldn’t think, she was so overwhelmed with his words and the heartfelt meaning behind them. Everything Brody said was the truth, and Cassie could only try not to cry as he gave her that magic smile that brought joy to so many onscreen.
“I thought I’d be really nervous about this, but I’m not,” he said.
Her hand in his, the entire world shifted on its axis when Brody kissed her, a soft caress meant only for Cassie, then he bent down on one knee and lifted a box out of his pocket. She couldn’t stop the tears that started to flow when she saw the look on Brody’s face as he opened that small box to the promise laying within.
“Cassidy, my sweet Cassie, I’ve only been in love once in this lifetime, and that’s with you. You are the only one in the world for me. You’re my light and my home. The one who makes everything magic in so many ways. Marry me? Let me be that same light and home for you too. Spend forever with me?”
Her voice stuck for a moment through the tears, caught on that same love that flowed through her — higher and brighter than ever before.
This man. Her everything in every way.
They’d lost it all together and had found each other again. Their love had brought her back to her true north home again. A home that was Brody.
All Cassie could do was nod, tears of happiness sliding out.
Brody smiled at her. “Is that a yes, baby?”
“Yes,” she choked. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Brody Miller. You wonderful, incredible man.”
“Let’s get this on you, sweetheart. I’ve been holding onto it for a very long time.”
Cassie didn’t think she could take another shock, but that revelation shook her. Brody had wanted forever with her — even from the start.
“This represents the light you are to me,” he said, sliding the symbol of his promise onto her finger.
A ring of miraculous gold twists locked into an antique setting for a channel-cut amber topaz. Tiny diamonds were scattered along the edges of the setting like sunbursts, unique and exquisitely crafted.
Bending, Cassie brought her lips to his. Everything in her melted at the way he held her close to cherish the moment. “It’s incredible. So beautiful and perfect, but wanting me to be with you forever is the most precious gift you’ve ever given me.”
Brody rose to his feet and held her close as he traced her face as if memorizing this moment. “I love you so much. We’re going to make a helluva life together.”
Wrapping an arm around her waist, Brody drew her up higher to lay his lips on hers. A kiss of forever that held nothing but magic mixed with the moonlight sparkling above them.
Bending, he lifted Cassie into his arms. “Is a month from now too soon? I’ve waited forever to be with you, gorgeous.”
So soon! The joyous insanity of it wrapped around her wild and free. There was only one right answer.
“A month sounds perfect. I can’t wait!”
Brody spun her around so she was left clinging to him and laughing.
“We’d better get back to the celebration. They might be missing us by now,” she said.
“We probably should.” Reluctance was written all over Brody’s face, and Cassie giggled as he carried her back. “We can tell everyone tomorrow about our big news. Tonight is for Chase and Anna.”
“Agreed.” She sighed happily.
“You know, I’m gonna buy this house for us.”
“You are not!”
Brody stopped. His eyes, dead certain, met hers as he gave her a confident grin that said he would not be denied. “I sure enough am. Then I can bring my sweet little mermaid here to swim. How about we get married here, Cassie? In our place?”
She gasped at the idea. The loveliness of it bloomed inside her, taking root deep, strong, and sure. There was no other place that would be right for them. Smiling wide at the idea, Cassie pressed her lips to his and traced the face that was hers forever. “I say that sounds just about perfect. You’re my home. Wherever we are together in this world and the next is perfect, as long as I’m with you.”
“Let’s go celebrate then.”
Carrying her back to the party, Brody and Cassie walked into a crowd that stood waiting for them with glasses held high.