There's Only Been You (29 page)

"You got mine,” Danny said.

"Absolutely,” Nicky replied.

"You know you do, son.” Uncle Luke winked at him.

"You have mine,” Garrett said. “And I ain't too pig-headed to admit I was wrong. You're a good guy, Mike."

Ethan walked over and stood next to his father. “Dad, only priests can give blessings. But you do have my permission to marry my mom.” He held out a small maroon-colored velvet box.

Sara's hands flew to her mouth and her throat went dry. He was going to do it! He was really going to do it and-and ... what the hell's that smell? She sniffed her arm and then her hair and her eyes widened in horror. Good Lord, she smelled like onions! She spun around to glare at her brothers, and then promptly burst into tears.

"Please tell me those are happy tears,” Mike said as he plucked the jewelry box from Ethan's hand.

"I smell like an onion, and it's all your fault!” She pointed an accusing finger at Nicky.

"Funny, but I was thinking you smell good enough to eat,” Mike whispered into her ear.

Sara's cries turned into embarrassed laughter, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Ask her already,” Garrett said, followed by a chorus of agreement.

He untangled her arms from around his neck and took a step back. Then he got down on bended knee. Sara squealed in delight and did a little happy dance.

"Sara, I've loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you, and that's no exaggeration. And, because of my own insecurities, we've lost so much time together. But I've come to believe fate brought us back together because we were meant to be. Sweetheart, I don't want to waste another single second. Sara Lynn Jamison, will you marry me?” He flipped open the box and Sara gasped.

"Oh my God, it's beautiful,” she breathed, reaching out to run a reverent finger over the most incredible engagement ring she'd ever seen. The round diamond in the center was surrounded by four smaller trapezoid pink diamonds. “But it's way too extravagant. We'll return it and I can pick out something more sensible—"

"Sara, I picked this ring out all by myself, and I promise you I can afford it. Now, you don't want to hurt my feelings, do you?"

"Well, of course not, but—"

"Sara, will you marry me? With this ring, the one I picked out for you?"

"Come on, Mom, say yes already!"

Smiling through her tears, Sara nodded and held out her hand for Mike to slip on the ring.

"What was that?” Nicky teased. “We couldn't hear you all the way back here."

Mike slid the ring onto her finger, and Sara held up her hand for everyone to see. “I said yes!” she shouted, laughing joyously.

Mike picked her up in his arms and spun her around before sealing their fate with a kiss.

"All right, everyone, as much as I appreciate all your help, the rest of the evening is just for the two of us,” Mike announced as Sara nibbled on his earlobe. “So thanks for everything, but now it's time to get the hell out."

"Even me?” Ethan demanded, his brow knitting in outrage.

"Even you,” Mike confirmed with a nod.

Understanding dawned in his eyes, and he accused, “You're gonna kiss her again, aren't you?"

"Afraid so, kiddo."

Ethan shook his head, his disgust evident. “Oh, man, I don't know what I'm gonna do with you two.” He grabbed Garrett's hand. “Come on, you don't want to see this either. It's pretty gross."

Garrett, Nicky, Danny, and Uncle Luke all chuckled as they followed Ethan out of the house.

Once alone, Mike set her on her feet, grabbed the bottle of champagne he'd had chilling in ice and handed it to her. “Give me two minutes to put out all these candles,” he said licking his thumb and forefinger. Sara giggled as he raced around the patio, snuffing and blowing out every single one in record time.

With a wink, he took the bottle back from her, tore off the foil and popped the cork. He filled two champagne flutes and handed her one. She took it with raised eyebrows. “You wouldn't be trying to get me tipsy, now would you?"

"Guilty as charged. I was hoping we could try out the whirlpool tub.” He took a sip from his glass before wrapping his free arm around her and escorting her back into the house. “Since you do happen to smell like onions..."

"Ooh, I'm gonna get you for that!” she promised, pinching his backside.

Mike stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned her in his arms. He gazed down at her, eyes smoldering, and said, “I do love you, Sara. And I swear, I'll never let you down again."

Sara's eyes filled with tears. “And I love you. Now take me upstairs so I can wash the smell of onions from my hair."

He grinned. “My pleasure."

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Donna Marie Rogers lives in a renovated old schoolhouse in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and children. She's an avid gardener and home-canner, as well as an admitted reality TV junkie. She's also a member of Romance Writers of America and quite active in her own chapter, serving as both co-area contact and conference chair. Donna's passion to read is only exceeded by her passion to write, so when she's not doing the wife and mother thing, she can usually be found sitting at her computer creating exciting new characters, fresh new worlds, and always happily-ever-afters.

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