Page 138 of Luck Be Mine
He grabbed his pants and pulled a small, flat package from his back pocket. “I wanted to be alone when I gave you this.”
“What is it?”
He popped the lid and turned the black box toward her. Nestled in the small velvet box was a heart-shaped locket with a long chain. The gold glowed in the light, catching the scrolling vines and blooming flower etched on the front.
She took the present and blinked away stunned tears. “Oh, frogman!” The intricate engraving looked alive. The back had their wedding date, written in clean lines.
His eyes held nerves again. “Do you like it? If not, it can go back.”
She slid a hand against his cheek and kissed him. “It’s gorgeous.
“Let me.” He lifted the necklace and undid the clasp.
Cait leaned so he could put the chain around her neck. His fingers caressed her bare skin. The necklace settled between her breasts, and she admired the scrollwork in the light.
Popping the small clasp, the locket opened. “Oh, oh, Hunt!” Safe harbor was engraved in swirling script on the left, their picture, faces turned toward each other, on the right. It was more than jewelry – it was a promise, a memory, a vow.
“Yes?” He watched her, love in his eyes.
“Yes,Safe Harbor.” Cait choked, unable to stop the few tears. She swiped at them, not wanting him to misread.
“You can cry.” He stroked her arm, the comfort only added to her bottomless joy.
“I’m thrilled. All I have for you is a new package of rubber wedding bands.”
He settled her against him, putting a hand over the locket. “You can buy me the camper.” His eyes sparkled with glee.
Cait grinned. “Deal.” Her favorite place was being held close in his arms with his skin against hers. “Thank you.”
He kissed her forehead. “I didn’t do anything but show up.”
Cait sighed, contentment easing emotions. “We do have really great friends.”
“We have Elizabeth, Niles, and Bets. Any time those three ask, God says do as you wish.”
Cait giggled, then sobered. “I meant my vows. But I wanted to add we’re together by our definition, not rules, not traditions, but because we live by what we need from each other. I’m not sure what my wording was in front of all our friends.”
He tapped the locket. “I understood. Friends, lovers, partners. Husband and wife. By definition together, in act and in heart. It’s essentially what we vowed. It’s how we live.”
“Yes.”
Hunt cleared his throat. “I don’t say this to you often enough. Thank you for sticking with me.”
“No thanks needed. You stick with me, too.”
“It’s what we do.” Hunt pulled her on top of him again. “What do you think of camping now?”
“Not bad, Hunter. Not bad.”
§§§
CAIT AND HUNT’S MARRIAGE RULES
Talk.
Safe Harbor isn’t just a house.
We go home. Always.
