Kennedy screams all the way down the zip line, her voice echoing off the walls of the canyon as she flies through the air. From the ground, she looks like a mythical creature, her hair streaming out of its ponytail behind her, the color like fire in the sun.

She lets out one last screech as she hits the last fast section and starts to move backward, throwing her arms out like she’s flying. Then I can’t help but laugh along with her. Kennedy, it turns out, giggles uncontrollably when she’s overtaken by an adrenaline rush, and it’s a sound of such pure joy that it’s impossible not to join in.

She comes to a stop, and two attendants hurry out to unclip her from the harness, and then she’s dancing toward me, clapping her hands, eyes bright. “That was amazing.” She takes a big breath, then lets it out, putting her hands on her hips. “I don’t know, though.”

I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. I’d like to kiss far more of her, but that will have to wait until we’re back at the lodge. “You don’t know what?”

“I don’t know if I liked that one better, or the one through the rainforest.”

I let out another laugh as we head back toward the tour vehicle that will take us to a private airfield half an hour away, where we’re going to board a chartered flight back across New Zealand to Edenhouse, the luxury lodge I chose for this time around. Kennedy reminisces about the zip line trip we took all the way to the airfield, and on the flight back settles into a warm contentment that I can’t get enough of.

I want to get her clothes off the moment we get inside, but I have other plans.

“So, was it a good day?” 

She grins up at me, running her hands through her hair, tossing it back up on top of her head in a loose bun. “Every day with you is amazing.”

It’s about to get even more so.

Evening is settling in around us, and Kennedy changes out of her shorts and top for a flowing sundress that makes me want her even more. When she emerges from the bedroom, I press her up against the wall and kiss her. Not enough to have us tumbling to the carpet, but it’s close.

When we come up for air, her blue eyes are shining. “I’m starving.” 

She starts to head for the kitchen, but I catch her arm. “I’ve got something ready.”

It’s waiting on the front porch, and when we step outside the door, Kennedy gasps like she’s never seen a setup like this before. It’s one of my favorite things about her. In six months, she’s never gotten tired of my surprises. It’s still as thrilling to her as always. “Gideon!”

The table does look lovely, set with candles and china and white linen, the perfect complement to a day spent soaring through a canyon. Kennedy beams up at me. “What’s the occasion?” I tuck her hand into my arm and lead her over next to the table, and she takes in a big breath of the warm air. “Is it a surprise?”

She narrows her eyes, still grinning, when I take both of her hands in mine. “I wanted to ask you something.”

“Ask,” Kennedy says, wrinkling her nose a little.

So I drop down to one knee. 

Her mouth goes into a round o, and her hands flutter upward like she wants to hide it, but decides not to. “Gideon…”

“I thought you were perfect from the moment I saw you.” My voice shakes a little. Get it together, Gideon. I slip my hand into my pocket, drawing out a small velvet box. “Kennedy Carlisle, there’s no bigger adventure than being in love with you. For as long as I’m drawing breath, I want to be by your side, and I want you to be by mine.” Tears are coming to her eyes, pricking at the corners, but she’s radiant, glowing. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she whispers, and drops to her knees to throw her arms around my neck. “Yes!” I open the box and she gasps again. It’s not a traditional diamond—it’s a rare black opal, small and glittering, totally unconventional, like she is. When I slip the ring onto her finger, Kennedy bursts out in a laughter that’s so joyous and pure I wish I could bottle up the sound.

Then she’s scrambling to her feet, pulling me up with her, kissing me hard, lighting me up from the inside. “Every single breath, Gideon,” she says, her voice bursting with love. “Every single one.”