Page 112 of When He Fights
“Are you going home?”Kane asked, voice ever so careful.
Her attention whipped right back to him.“Like I told Grayson, I am home.”
“Are you sure?”He swiped off the ball cap.Put it behind him.Near the white box.“Maybe the house has bad memories for you now.”
Because bullets had broken her windows.
Because Logan had trapped her friend inside.
Because Logan had died at the edge of the property.
Yeah, okay, she could see where the place might need some serious sage work, but it was still hers.And his.Theirs.“This house gave me peace when I needed it the most.I’m not going to let Logan take away my peace.Not ever again.I’m staying here, and I thought you might want to stay, too.”Will you stay?With me?
He stared at her.Seemed to eat her alive with his eyes.But he didn’t say a word.Not one single word.
“Kane?”
He reached back.Knocked the cap to the ground.But Kane picked up the white box.He thrust it toward her.
Is this a ring?With shaking fingers, Ana opened the box.And she saw?—
There was no ring inside.In fact, Ana was pretty sure she was staring at the yellow, plastic head of a duck.Just like all the ducks that lined the dashboard of her Jeep.
“Noticed that you collected those,” Kane told her.His voice seemed extra gruff.“Thought you might like that one.See, uh, Ana, I have this thing…I notice everything that matters to you.I notice the candy bars you like to eat.”
Her head snapped up.
“I notice the movies that make you smile.I notice your dreams—like when you say you want to live at the beach.I notice the way you move your fingers when you’re in deep thought—like you’re strumming your harp.I notice all the details when it comes to you.Big and small.Because you are what matters most to me.”
Ana realized that maybe—perhaps she wasn’t noticing the details enough with him.She pulled the small duck from the box.
The duck was holding a harp.And wearing a white wedding dress.
Laughter sputtered out of her even as joy and love filled Ana.“Where on earth did you find her?”
“Was not easy, I can guarantee you that.She’s a custom job.One of a kind.”
Her gaze collided with his once more.
“Just like you,” Kane told her.Then he exhaled.“Ana, will you?—”
“Yes.”
He blinked.“But I didn’t even ask?—”
“Kane?”
“Yes, Ana?”
“You love me.”
“More than anything in the world.”
She dropped the box and held her duck like the treasure it was.Screw giving her a ring.She loved that damn duck.“Will you marry me?”
“Iwas asking,” he began.
She waited.
