Page 175 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

With the ring in his pocket and his daughter on his hip, he hurried downstairs and tossed the bag of marshmallows to Declan, who caught it and told the kids to find sticks long enough for the fire.

“You got Stevie?” he asked his friend.

“Of course.” Declan reached for the little girl, and she went easily into his arms.

Booker headed straight for the cabins. Each step brought him closer to the love of his life. She’d left the door open, so he walked right in and found her in the yellow glow of lamplight.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “I checked the bathroom. The plumbing’s fine.”

“You’re gorgeous.” Damn, he couldn’t wait to marry her.

Her features melted. “Even when I’m the size of a whale, you still make me feel sexy and wanted.”

“Oh, I want you all right. I want you forever.” He dropped to a knee. “Hellcat, I can hardly remember when having a big career was my highest value. I can hardly remember the rush of a big bonus check. But you know what I do remember? How it felt that first morning in the cabin when I came out of the bedroom to find you dancing.”

Her features pinkened prettily. “It was cold.”

“And I remember the loneliness I felt when I got back to work. Even though I’d only known you a short time, I felt closer to you than I’d ever felt to anyone. With you, I’m my best self.”

She nodded. “Yes. I feel the same way.” Tears welled. “Exactly.”

“The bond I feel with you is so big, it knocked down my walls and gave me no choice but to pay attention to my heart, and even though I feel married to you in every way possible, I want to make it official. Lorelei Annabella Gentry, will you make my heart sing for the rest of my life?”

Big, fat tears spilled down her cheeks. “Are you kidding me? That’s the most beautiful proposal I’ve ever heard.” She pressed a hand over her heart. “Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.”

He pulled the box out of his pocket and cracked it open.

She gasped when she saw the ring. “What in the world? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

After he slid it onto her finger, she held up her hand to take in the tiara-shaped taper of diamonds. The bottom was a straight line, and the top crested on either side to make it look like a crown. “It’s stunning.”

“You’re a queen, a goddess, you’re everything beautiful and powerful in this world.” He stood, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly against him. “And I swear to God, I will work every day of my life to be a better man so I can love you and cherish you the way you deserve.” She threw herself into his arms, and they clung to each other. “I love you, Hellcat. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

He tipped her chin and kissed her lightly, sweetly, but his heart swelled with so much affection for this woman that the kiss turned deeper, ravenous. She clutched at him, frustrated by the big belly keeping them from aligning their bodies. Sweeping her off her feet and into his arms, he carried her to the bed?—

Shouting and chaos outside burst into the cabin. Moto raced in with a bag of chocolate bars in his mouth.

“Grab him,” Cole shouted.

“Don’t let him eat chocolate,” Declan called.

And then, everyone crammed into the cabin, coming to a comical stop when they found him carrying Hellcat like a bride over a threshold.

“Are you all right?” Phinny asked with concern.

Jaime swiped the bag out of Moto’s mouth and asked, “What’s going on?”

Hellcat cast Booker a questioning look, and he nodded.Hell, yes, we’re telling them.

He wanted to race up to the summit and shout it to the world.I’m marrying the love of my life!

“Well, two things. One…” She held out her hand. “We’re engaged.”

Everyone gathered around them with hugs, slaps on the back, and congratulations.

“I’m so happy for you, punkin,” her dad said.

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