Page 181 of Small Towns, Wild Hearts
But seeing the two folding lounge chairs and fluffy duvet, I’m truly surprised.
“Tristan, this is beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” he says, brushing the hair from my eyes.
I laugh.
Tristan looks out at the river. “We didn’t get to appreciate the view last time we were here, so I thought tonight would be the perfect time.”
It really is stunning—the river sparkles in the distance, and all of downtown Quince Valley twinkles in a warm glow. Overhead, the night is clear and crisp; the stars breathtaking.
“It’s gorgeous,” I agree.
Tristan doesn’t say anything though, and when I look back, I see why. He’s down on one knee, a gorgeous diamond ring in his hand.
I suck in a breath. “Tristan!”
“Cora,” he smiles.
“But wait,” I say, before he can say anything.
He blinks, the ring he’s holding out dropping a little.
“Wait?”
I reach into my pocket, nerves dancing in my stomach. I fish out the gold band I bought when we were in the Yukon a few months ago.
Tristan gapes when he sees it. Then he stands up, laughing.
“Listen,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “You were out taking photos of polar bears; I needed to distract myself somehow. There was a jeweler down the street from the hotel in Whitehorse, and they made wedding bands and I figured, that’s what an engagement ring would look like for a guy, right?”
Tristan grins. “I should have known you’d beat me to it.”
“Is it too much?” I ask.
“Never,” he says. “You’re never too much for me, baby.”
“Is that a yes?” I ask, trying hard not to cry. I need to see what I’m doing.
Tristan nods, his eyes meeting mine, sending warmth careening through me. “Yes, Cora.”
“Then I’m a yes too,” I say. “I want you to be my happy ever after.”
Tristan picks me up then, swinging me around, definitely risking a health and safety violation. “The happiest,” he whispers in my ear, before kissing me under the stars.
* * *
I hope you loved Happiest Ever After. Did you know this story connects to ALL my other series? If you’ve never read my books before, a great place to start is with the Jewel Lakes Series—now available in a complete limited-edition box set. Find ithere.
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Claire Wilder
Claire Wilder first discovered romance books as a preteen: while staying with family friends, she uncovered a giant stash of old Harlequins languishing in a basement. A ho-hum trip suddenly wasn’t long enough! As an author, she writes for both the traditional and indie market. She loves being on a boat in calm water, a good thin-crust Margherita pizza, and tearjerker movies. She lives with her husband and three kids on the west coast of Canada.
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