Page 96 of Justice for Francesca

Francesca stared at him.

“If you hate it, we’ll keep looking. Maybe I should have asked you to help pick the spot. I just… I know you wanted somewhere quiet. Removed from the city, not a lot of amenities, but close enough for the rare times you might want to ‘people,’ plus you wouldn’t want me to be too far from the city and the airport to go to the other clubs. I know we haven’t talked about any of this?—”

“You’re right. We haven’t.”

He grimaced. “You’re mad.”

“Do I look mad?”

“Well… no. Cosmos told me I was an idiot for doing this without asking you to be a part of the decision, but you’ve been recovering, and I wanted you to rest. Based on what was happening before your family came to San Antonio and what you said to me at Elysium, I guess I assumed we were together. You quit your job and came directly to me, so?—”

“Ethan. Stop.” Her hand cupped the side of his face. “I’m not mad.”

“You’re not?”

She shook her head.

“So…?”

She smiled. “So, let’s talk about it. You mentioned an outdoor kitchen. A dog. A hedge. What else?”

Disentangling from her hold, he reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a gray velvet box. “Well… I thought… once the house was built… this spot would be a great place to get married.” He knelt down amongst the wild grass and flowers of the land, opening the box to reveal a three-carat gray sapphire. “I knew you wouldn’t want a diamond, so I hunted for a stone that reminded me of your eyes, always stormy and flashing.” He held it out to her. “Marry me, Francesca.”

A single tear tracked down her cheek. “Can I marry you sooner than the house is built?”

He slid the ring on her finger, kissing it, then turning her hand over to kiss the palm. He stood, taking her in his arms again. “I’ll marry you today.”

She nestled her head against his chest, her eyes looking out to the view of the town below the bluff. Hugging him tight, she whispered, “You know what?”

“What?”

“You were right. I love you more each day.”

“Yeah?” He kissed the top of her head. “How much more?”

“Mmm… to infinity.”

Tripoli’s eyes closed, and he sighed in relief.