Page 124 of Almost Always

“You’re absolutely sure, right?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

He stared at her, wrinkles forming on his forehead. “I’ve never been more sure of anyone in my entire life. You and me, Hero, we’re a sure thing.”

She nodded slowly, never looking away. It was one thing to read it in his countless letters. She’d kept the box, much to his chagrin, and read one every morning and one at night. There were enough to keep her going for a while, but she kept reading the same few constantly. They were reminders that even when she hadn’t thought much of herself, he’d seen her in a way she didn’t think was possible. The way he loved her matched her intensity and it soothed the burning in her soul. She couldn’t quite comprehend how someone could love her that much even when they were apart.

“What’s wrong?” he asked and she shook her head, realizing that she’d been standing there staring at him for so long.

“A sure thing, huh?”

“Hero.”

She offered him a smile—not one to appease him, but a genuine stretch of her lips—and closed the gap between them. “It’s one of those days. I’m…needy.”

He cupped her jaw. “Happy to satisfy all your needs, darlin’.”

“God, I know. And I love you so much for it.” She stretched up and kissed him. “Now, if we’re getting married in two days, we better let our families know.”

“I already did.”

“Rafferty.”

He chuckled and drew her in for another kiss. “They were disappointed, but understood why I couldn’t wait. Pia said she wants to throw us a party when they’re back.”

“I spoke to Dad yesterday and he didn’t say anything,” she replied, but felt a pinch of sadness that her father wouldn’t be there. If she was being honest, she didn’t actually expect her father and stepmother to show up, but there was that weird hope they might.

“We can wait, Hero.”

She shook her head, smiling as she held onto him. “I can’t wait to marry you. It’s okay. We’ll throw many parties over the next few months.”

“If you’re sure.” She nodded and kissed his cheek. “Okay, important question. You done gardening?”

“Depends on what you have in mind.”

“Thinking about stripping you out of this,” he whispered, lips landing on her neck. “Then getting you dirtier before I clean you up.”

“I think I could be okay with that.”

Boots was asleep in the house and when she walked in, he was up on his feet. She gave him some love, smiling when he licked her back and went to wash up. Even with her gloves, digging up dirt had left marks on her arms. With her bathroom mirror covered, she didn’t know what state her face was in and honestly, she didn’t care.

She stepped out of the bathroom as Rafferty said, “Why is your mirror covered?”

Daisy winced and stood where she was, trying to come up with the best response to the question.I should have gone upstairs first, she thought to herself and walked up to the loft, crafting her response.

“It was a har—what are you doing?”

Kneeling, he held up a velvet box with a grin. “Thought you might like something more than a yellow twist tie.”

“I like my twist tie,” she whispered, staring at the box.

“When I saw you in that ice cream shop months ago, I knew I would do anything and everything in my power to have another chance with you. You’re my best friend, Hero. You’re the first thing I think about every morning and the last thought on my mind every night. You love my kid like he’s your own, you make me feel like the world could end and we’d still be absolutely fine. I don’t know how I survived these last twenty years, because I know that I will not be okay without you by my side for the rest of my life.”

Her breath caught at the sincerity of his words. And the other thing her brain snagged on was how not once did he reference her appearance as a reason why he loved her. That had never been what he saw; he sawher. Her heart tripped over itself ashe flipped open the box because there nestled in another layer of velvet was a round solitaire with a gold band. Even in its simplicity, she recognized it instantly. Her hand flew up to her mouth and she blinked back the tears as she looked at him.

“Nonna left me her ring. Technically her will said, ‘I leave it to Rafferty only if he plans on marrying Daisy’.”

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but the tears were winning and she laughed through them softly. He took the ring out of the box and held a hand out. She set her fingers against his palm and breathed out loudly.

“You and me, Hero. Forever and always, right?” She nodded as he held the ring at the tip of her finger. “I love you so much. It would be my absolute honor to be your husband. Marry me?”

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