“He does!” Luna cried.
“Shhh,” Hallie admonished.
“Maybe you should open it,” Dex suggested.
With my pulse pounding hard, I untied the ribbon and unwrapped a small white gift box.
“Keep going!” shouted Luna.
I lifted the top off—inside was a black velvet hexagonal box. My breath caught and I looked at Dex.
“Keep going,” he said.
With trembling fingers, I removed the lid, and gasped at the diamond ring that winked at me in the tree lights. I blinked at it in disbelief, and when I looked up again, Dex had gone down on one knee at my feet.
“Oh my God,” I whispered.
He took the velvet box from my hands and plucked the ring from the cushion. Taking my left hand, he said, “Winnie, the last year has been one of the happiest of my life. You’ve brightened every single day with your smile and your spirit and your heart. All three of us agree you belong in our family.”
“Is it time for us now, Daddy?”
Dex glanced at Luna with a rueful smile. “I wasn’t quite done, but okay.” He looked up at me again. “The girls helped me pick out the ring, and they wanted to be part of this. I couldn’t say no.”
“Of course not.” My eyes filled as Luna and Hallie came and stood behind their father.
“Winnie, my favorite thing about you is your hugs,” said Hallie, as if she’d practiced her lines. “You always make me feel good if I have a bad day. Even if kids at school aren’t nice or I’m frustrated about something, I always know that when I see you, you’ll give me a hug and make me feel better.”
I sniffed. “Thank you, Hals. I love your hugs too.”
“My favorite thing about you is how you always have fun Band-Aids at your house,” said Luna. “And good snacks. I also like when you play salon and Barbies with me.”
I smiled at her through tears. “I’ll always have fun Band-Aids for you. And I love our playtime too.”
Dex spoke up next. “My favorite thing about you is the way you see the good in everyone, the way you treat people with generosity and kindness, and the way you love with your whole heart.” He slipped the ring on my finger. “I know I’m just a big hairy ogre who doesn’t deserve a princess, but it would make me the happiest ogre alive if you’d ride off into the sunset with me.”
“With us!” Luna added.
“We told him to say that part,” Hallie whispered.
I half-laughed, half-sobbed. “It’s good.”
“What do you say, Winnie MacAllister? Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I squeaked, because I could barely find my voice. “Yes!”
I only looked at the ring for a moment before leaning down to kiss him. He stood up, wrapping me in his embrace, and I looped my arms around his neck.
As my feet left the ground and his little girls cheered, I felt his heart beating against mine and knew I was safe.
I knew today was just the beginning of our life as a family.
I knew I’d never forget this moment as long as I lived, and it would be a story we told our grandchildren someday.
Overcome with emotion, I buried my face in his shoulder and shed tears of joy—I was loved, I was cherished, I was home.
THE END
Want a peek into Dex and Winnie’s future? Subscribe to my mailing list and you’ll get instant access to an exclusive IGNITE bonus scene!
Already subscribed? Just check your last newsletter for the link to my bonus materials! If you can’t find it, you can simply resubscribe and the scene will be yours in minutes.
Then get ready for more in the next generation Cloverleigh Farms Series… Ellie and Gianni’s book, TASTE, is up next! Keep reading to learn more about it…
Be a Harlot
Want new release alerts, access to bonus materials and exclusive giveaways, and all my announcements first? Subscribe to my twice monthly newsletter!
Want to stay up to date on all things Harlow day to day, get exclusive access to ARCs and giveaways, and be part of a fun, positive, sexy and drama-free zone? Become a Harlot!
Want a chance to become a Top Fan and win exclusive prizes? Check out my Facebook page!
Want to be notified about freebies and sales? Try Bookbub!
If you love audiobooks, you can find audio versions of my books here!
Taste
A peek at Ellie and Gianni’s story…
The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.
But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.