Page 15 of Every Breath

“That’s Dad for you. All work and no play.” For Dad, whether it’s playing golf with young upstarts in New York or skiing in Vail, it’s all part of doing business. In fact, it’s how many of his deals get started. On the golf course or on the slopes. It’s how he judges character, how they deal with a terrible swing or a Double Black Diamond. “But I’m glad it worked out.”

Benny gives me a squeeze, our noses touching. “You have no idea how happy I am that it worked out.”

I pull away, glaring at him accusingly. “By the way, that scavenger hunt… or whatever it was–”

He grins gleefully. “It drove you crazy, didn’t it?”

“You know how I like being in control of everything,” I say, pausing when he narrows his eyes at me and I lean closer to whisper in his ear. “Well, almost everything.”

“That’s a good girl,” he growls before burying his face in my hair.

Around us, everyone returns to whatever they’d been discussing before Dad and Benny walked in.

How are things? Building a new earthship over by Clover Way. I was in Vail when I heard there was something going on down here. Grandpa, how long are you staying? I almost didn’t pull it off, Tito Dax. Mom was being Mom. You want to go river rafting in March? My friends from New York are coming down to visit. I have something to ask you, nízhoní.

It takes me a moment to realize Benny just asked me a question. My mind is a jumble of words, pictures, and feelings that filled my day so far—from the disappointment of realizing I was going to be alone on Valentine’s Day for the first time since Benny and I started dating to the frustration of not being in control of every surprise that came my way. I usually planned these things for everyone else.

“What did you say?” I ask.

“I have something to ask you. It’s important.” Benny sets me down on the floor.

“What is it?”

Before I realize what’s happening, Benny gets down on one knee and all around me, everyone becomes quiet.

He pulls something from his jeans pocket, a marquis-cut turquoise gemstone set against a double platinum band and trillion diamond open ring setting. I know because I’ve seen it before, the first time I said no when he asked me to marry him. And I’ve never forgiven myself for saying no. I’d denied myself what I really wanted because I needed my family to be intact first after Mom died.

Since then, I never thought Benny would ask again. He is, after all, a very proud man. A warrior. And warriors do not take rejection kindly.

I look at Benny in surprise, the buzzing in my ears getting louder, a feeling of weightlessness coming over me as he clears his throat and says the words I’ve wanted to hear for so long, only this time he says it first in Navajo, then in English.

“Sarah Drexel, keeper of my heart, will you be my wife? My queen?”

I can barely speak. I’ve always hated being the center of attention, but today, I’m claiming that spot. Behind me, I swear Harlow just swooned.

“Yes, Benny,” my voice emerges as a croak. “My answer is yes.”

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