He must have been here earlier, because there are two lounge chairs set up near the shore, and a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver icebucket.
All of a sudden, the cabin lights up, decorated with a thousand white lights, and soft music begins to play around us. Shane comes up behind me and pulls me against hisback.
“What isthis?”
“Our tomorrow,” he whispers in myear.
I turn lightly, and look up at him. “I don’tunderstand.”
“I want to make a home here. Withye.”
“Shane.”
“Before ye say anything, I want ye to see it.” He lifts a hand, and almost instantly the field behind the shack is illuminated in tiny pot lights, creating some sort of pattern. “I spoke with a developer, and it wouldn’t be difficult to create a road that comes down through the forest, there.” He motions to thetrees.
I can’t breathe, and I definitely can’tspeak.
Taking my hand, he guides me up the small hill to the field oflights.
“Can ye see it?” His arm wraps around my waist and he presses his cheek againstmine.
“What?”
“Ourhouse.”
“Ourhouse?” The words come out shaky. Is he really asking me what I think heis?
He chuckles, then motions to the first line of lights. “I thought this whole section would be floor-to-ceiling windows, with the master bedroom on the second floor. We could wake up every morning with a perfect view of the lough. I’ve been looking at some designs, but ye’ll have the lastsay.”
Tears burn the back of my eyes as he continues to lead me around, pointing out where the kitchen should be, and the guest bedrooms, as well as his soundproof musicstudio.
“I thought this would be a perfect spot for yerworkspace.”
“Myworkspace?”
“For yer designs. I’ve seen yer work, and ye’re too talented not to pursue it. Plus, I’ve seen the way ye smile when ye’re drawing.” He takes my hands, kissing my knuckles. “I’ll never stand in yer way, love. I promise yethat.”
I’m trembling, my fingers shaking uncontrollably in his, and a damn tear falls across my cheek. Shane wipes it away with histhumb.
“You want me to move in withyou?”
“No.” He shifts away from me, and I feel my heart sink a little, notunderstanding.
Then, he’s kneeling in front of me, pulls out a box from his pocket, and takes my lefthand.
“I want ye to marry me,Makena.”
I suck in a shaky breath, the tears I’d been holding back now freely spilling down mycheeks.
“I wanteverytomorrow with ye.” He opens the box, revealing a large, square-cut diamond ring. “Will yemarry-”
“Yes.”
His eyes light up. He lets out a small sigh, then chuckles as he slides the ring on my finger. Warmth races through me, flooding every part of mybeing.
And just like the first night he brought me here, a sense of belonging fills me. And I know this ishome.