Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
I looked up, fresh tears in my eyes. “How?” I whispered.
He took the ring from me, sliding it on my finger. The diamonds glittered even in the muted lighting, and the sapphires shimmered a brilliant blue with them. “Holly,” he said.
“It’s so pretty!” Mia exclaimed.
“It’s the most beautiful ring in the world,” I murmured, staring at it.
“For the most beautiful woman in the world.”
There was no doubting the sincerity in his voice. He truly believed that. To him, I was the most beautiful woman. That was how he saw me. That was how the love he felt for me made him see me.
“Amy,” Simon said, his voice serious once again.
I glanced up.
“Soon, okay? I want to marry you soon. I asked your parents, they gave me their blessing, so we need to plan and do this soon. Whatever you want, however you want it, all I ask is for it to happen soon. I want our life together to start now.”
And for the second time that morning, I began to cry.
“Yes.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
SIMON
Pancake- and syrup-free, I headed back down the stairs toward the kitchen. Mia was in her room, talking excitedly to her dolls and stuffed animals about her new mommy. Before I’d gone upstairs to change, we’d quickly cleaned off the blankets and took the dishes to the kitchen. I wasn’t surprised to find Amy sitting at the island in the kitchen with fresh coffee brewing.
I stopped in the doorway, studying her. She stared at her ring, tracing the stones with the tip of a finger, her wild curls hiding her face. I wondered what she was thinking. Was she contemplating the wedding? Our life together? The changes that would happen? My odd proposal?
I stole up behind her, looping my arms around her waist and tugging her back to my chest. She sighed as I brushed her hair away from her shoulder, settling my chin there and turning my head to press a kiss to her cheek.
“You really like it, Chippy?”
“If I could have any ring in the entire world, I would pick this one.”
I tightened my arms. “Good. I searched for an entire day. I looked at every kind of ring the jewelry stores in Halifax had to offer. At custom sites on the web. I was considering flying to Toronto to look when Holly found me and took me to see this one.” I held up her hand and kissed her fingers. “It’s unique and beautiful. Like you.”
“You really believe that,” she whispered, the wonder in her voice evident.
I spun her around on the stool and braced my arms on the island, trapping her between them. “Yes. I believe it because you are.”
She cupped my face. “Thank you.”
“So we get a license this week and get married the day we pick it up?” I asked hopefully.
She laughed. “If that’s what you want.”
“What do you want?” I already knew because both Holly and her mom had told me, but I wanted to hear it from her.
“I always wanted to get married by the water. My family and a few friends. Some pretty flowers. A nice dinner.” She smiled and touched my cheek. “To dance with my new husband.”
I smiled at her words. The last part hadn’t been mentioned to me, but I liked the idea of dancing with Amy—as her husband. I drew in a long breath before I spoke.
“We could get married at Edgewater. I checked with Alex, and she said she could arrange it for us. The private dining room that overlooks the ocean. We could do it all there if you wanted. Get married with the ocean behind us. Host a weekend. Have the cottage again and have the family stay at the hotel. Get some pictures outside as long as it’s not too cold.”
She blinked, her eyes filling with tears. “Really?”
“Can you find a dress in three weeks?” I asked.
“Three weeks?”
“Alex might have blocked some space for me, as a favor. I told her I would let her know today.”
Amy was quiet, a thousand emotions flitting across her face. I knew I was moving fast, but I had meant what I said earlier. I wanted our life together to start now. If she needed more time, I understood and I would convince her to move in with us, but I really wanted to marry her soon.
“Simon,” she whispered.
I braced myself for her gentle refusal.
“Yeah, Chippy?”
“Three weeks is doable. Make that call.”
I yanked her to my chest and kissed her. I poured all the love, joy, and excitement I was feeling into that kiss. She returned my enthusiasm, holding me tight, our tongues sliding together. I vaguely heard the phone ringing and the sound of Mia’s voice somewhere close.
“They’re kissing again, Auntie Holly. If I ask, Daddy will say something silly about Amy’s eyes, so I won’t ask. Do you and Uncle E kiss all the time?”