The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series (31 page)

“Red, I didn’t want her to give me anything because I wanted her to give it to us. You and me together.”

“Well, then you should have had her split it if she insisted on doing something with it,” Susan said reasonably.

Riley looked up to the ceiling and exhaled deeply. “Oh, Red, don’t you get it? I want there to be an us. I want there to be an us forever. If you’ll have me, I want to spend the rest of my life listening to your crazy ideas, realizing they’re not so crazy after all, and figuring out how to make them happen. We make a good team, you said that once. Most of all, I love you. I’ve wanted to tell you that for a long time, but I was afraid you didn’t want to hear it. Now, I want to tell you every morning when we wake up and every night when we go to sleep.”

Susan stopped breathing as Riley got down on one knee in front of her, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a black velvet box. Everything seemed to slow as she watched him open it and settle it on his palm. It was like her dream, but, then, not at all like her dream.

“Will you marry me, Susan? I promise to love you with everything I have and to do whatever I can to keep that beautiful smile on your face and those green eyes of yours dancing.”

Her breath whooshed out. Nothing existed but the two of them. It was as if the world had stopped spinning and everything had frozen in time. Susan wanted to hold on to the moment forever.

The words wouldn’t come at first, she couldn’t seem to get her thoughts from her brain to her tongue. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she finally managed. “Wait, that’s not what I meant to say,” she quickly corrected herself. “I meant…Oh, my, Riley, you’ve…I’m…I mean yes! Yes, I’ll marry you. Of course, I’ll marry you. I love you, Riley.”

She joined him on the floor, wrapped her arms around his neck, and then the words wouldn’t stop. “You’re everything I’ve always wanted, Riley. You’re smart and funny and you know how to do everything and you’re patient with all…well, with most of my ideas and, of course, you’re gorgeous and you’re kind and you’re generous and you play hockey, for crying out loud and—”

Grinning, Riley silenced her with a kiss.

Susan was lost in the kiss. How could it feel so different than it ever had before? Because no moment had ever been like this before. Nothing had ever been this wonderful, this perfect. Suddenly, she pulled away.

“Wait, wasn’t there a ring?” she asked, her eyes alive with anticipation.

Riley slipped it on her finger.

Susan looked at it from every angle. It was exquisite and it fit as if it had been made for her alone. She leaned back into Riley’s chest and his arms came around her. Another perfect fit.

In a moment, though, she sat up straight, a look of triumph on her face.

“What is it?”

“The last room name.”

“But you’ve already named all of them. Wait a minute…you don’t have another one of your ideas, do you?”

“No. Well, actually I have lots of ideas but that’s not what I’m talking about.”

Riley breathed a sigh of relief. “Then what room are you talking about?”

“This one, of course.”

“This is your room. You’re going to name your room?”

“I am now…now that it’s going to be our room.”

A slow smile spread across Riley’s face. “I have some ideas.”

“Just stop,” she ordered, laughing.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Tell me what you’ve decided on.”

Her expression softened and she looked him in the eyes. “Forever.”

Riley took her in his arms. “I like the sound of that.”

Misty Lake in Focus

Book Three in the Misty Lake Series

By Margaret Standafer

Coming Soon

Margaret Standafer lives and writes in the Minneapolis area with the support of her amazing husband and children and in spite of the lack of support from her ever-demanding, but lovable, Golden Retriever. It is her sincere hope that you enjoy her work.

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www.margaretstandafer.com

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