Page 79 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

“Yes.” I launched toward him, nearly knocking the ring out of his hand.

But skilled as he was, he managed to hang onto it and still catch me.

Cheers broke out all over the room. I was too busy kissing Garrett to see the smiles at one table, but I knew those ladies were all happy for me and in on this surprise.

With me perched on his knee, he slid the ring on my finger. “If you aren’t busy right now, I’d like to go to the courthouse.”

“Let me grab my purse.” I started to get up, then turned and kissed him again. “I said yes already, didn’t I?”

“You did, and everyone here heard you.”

Laughter echoed off the walls.

Layla handed me my purse. “I’ve got this place covered. Have fun.”

Garrett smiled all the way to his truck. “I’m hoping we can convince a judge to waive the three-day wait. Because dinner with your parents has been moved to the dining hall, and I booked the house in San Antonio for the next five nights.”

“The house?”

“Yep. I’ve been waiting until you didn’t have to close the shop to have a getaway. But if we can’t get a waiver, the guy handling reservations said he’d make an exception and let me shift the dates.” Garrett parked in front of the courthouse.

There were benefits to living in a small town. It didn’t take us long to drive here, the judge knew the Henry family, and we walked out of the courthouse with a marriage license and a waiver.

By the time we pulled away from the courthouse, everyone in the county had probably heard that Garrett and I were engaged.

Chapter 26

Garret drove up to our hilltop. “When we were up here yesterday, it was very hard not to propose right then.” He dropped the tailgate, then pulled a quilt out of his back seat.

I climbed up and sat down beside him once he had everything arranged.

“I only waited this long to propose because I didn’t want you to have to close the shop again so soon after the holidays and the wedding. And the house in San Antonio was booked solid.” He opened the cooler. “I brought food if you’re hungry.”

“I love that we’re going back to the house.” I patted my leg. “Lie down.”

He rested his head in my lap. “I didn’t plan on staying for dinner tonight. We can have another dinner when we get back. In fact, if you want, we can throw a big party. But tonight, I just want to celebrate with you.”

I ran my fingers through his hair. “I’ve pinched myself multiple times today.”

“It’s real, Tessa. Some dreams come true.” He pulled my fingers to his lips. “What do you want our dream home to look like? I know it needs a gourmet kitchen and a hot tub.”

“I’d love for it to have a rooftop patio.” I brushed my lips on his scar. “And four or five bedrooms.”

His fingers laced with mine.

“I’ve always thought I’d be a mom someday, but when I saw the way you were with Mason yesterday, I swooned a little. You’ll be a great dad.”

He sat up and held me to his chest. I knew what the compliment meant to him since he’d grown up away from his dad, but what I’d said was the absolute truth.

The sun sank toward the horizon as we cuddled and talked.

“If we’re going to get married in an hour, I need to change clothes.”

“You look beautiful just like you are.”

“Thank you, but I want to wear a dress.” I trailed a hand down the front of his shirt. “But I’ll be really happy if you wear jeans.”

Grinning, he nuzzled my neck. “Why is that?”

---