Safe (39 page)
Authors: Ryan Michele
Tags: #Romance, #Romantic Suspense, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense, #Contemporary
“I know. I’ll bring you here every day for that smile.” Her creeping blush building on her face made her even more stunning.
Eating our lunch, we fell into our normal conversation. I loved talking to her. Everything just flowed. This was how I knew.
After cleaning up everything, we laid, watching the trees. I grabbed her hand and squeezed. She turned and smiled.
“You know I love you, right?” I asked.
“Of course. Why?”
I rolled to my side, facing her. “You are the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever laid eyes on. I love everything about you. I love how you hold my hand. I love how you snuggle into me at night. I love how you speak your mind. I love how you make me feel.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
“You came into my life and made me want to feel again. You made me want to love again. You made me whole.”
Tears began streaming down Sadie’s face. I got up on one knee, and she sat up.
“Sadie, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I promise to love and honor you all the days of our lives. I promise to always keep you safe.”
She shook her head.
“I can’t hear your head, baby.” I smiled at her.
“Yes,” she whispered.
She fucking said yes. She’d be mine. Forever. I reached in my pocket and pulled out the ring. It was sparkly and simple. When I saw it, I knew it belonged on her finger.
I placed the ring on her finger and whispered, “Forever.”
First and foremost, I need to thank my husband who put up with my crazy ass throughout this new endeavor of mine; my kids, who love Mommy even when she’s ‘on her computer again;’ and my mom, who has always been my biggest cheerleader.
I am so grateful to the girls at Reality Bites! Let’s Get Lost! for taking a chance on an unknown newbie like me. I appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Becky from Reality Bites!, thank you for taking time to make those wonderful teaser photos. I loved every one of them!
Taryn from My Secret Romance, words can never express the gratitude I have for you. I appreciate you so much. Thank you.
I want to thank all of my beta readers—Becky, Alexis, Alyssa, Tbird, Megan #1, Brenna, Megan #2, Dawn, Ginnie and Sheri. I appreciate all the time and energy you put into reading and writing up all your thoughts to help make
Safe
the best it can be.
Alyssa, you’re contraction queen. Thank you for your guidance and support.
Trenda, thank you for the countless emails back and forth, answering my crazy questions and being a great ear when I desperately needed it.
Most importantly, thank all of you who are reading
Safe
. I hope you enjoy Sadie and Landon as much as I did.
Cover Artist: Melissa Gill at MGbookcovers
Editor: Madison Seidler (www.madisonseidler.com)
Formatter: Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats
Connect with Ryan Michele