Page 246 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

"Honey."

My hands settled over his where they rested against my stomach. No hesitation. No fear. Just him. He stayed there for another quiet moment, holding me as though there wasn't another place in the world, he'd rather be. As though the rest of existence could wait. Then he slowly turned me around. Those dark eyes found mine immediately. There was something different in them. Not worry. Not danger. Something calmer. Something almost...

Nervous.

"I need to show you something," he said.

His voice wasn't commanding this time. He was nervous. I blinked at him.

"Elias, I'm literally packing the kitchen."

"The kitchen can wait."

That earned him a laugh.

"Oh? Since when?"

"Since five minutes ago."

He held his hand out. I stared at it for a second before sliding my fingers into his. His grip tightened immediately, warm and familiar, like he'd never planned on letting go. He led me outside without another word. The crisp autumn air greeted us, carrying the scent of pine, damp earth, and wood smoke from somewhere in the valley. I was halfway down the porch steps when I stopped.

Flowers. Dozens of them. Wildflowers. Sunflowers. White daisies. Deep crimson roses.

They surrounded the clearing in an uneven circle as if someone who knew absolutely nothing about arranging flowers had simply bought every bouquet in town and placed them wherever they fit. It was messy. It was imperfect. It was...

Beautiful.

"Elias..."

I turned. He wasn't standing behind me anymore. He was kneeling. One knee pressed into the grass. Head tilted back. Dark eyes fixed entirely on me. In his scarred hand rested a small black velvet box. When he opened it, sunlight caught the diamond and scattered little stars across the clearing. For the first time since I'd met Detective Elias Reed...He looked terrified.

"Baby..."

His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. Tried again.

"Shit..."

A nervous laugh escaped him.

"I rehearsed this."

I smiled through the tears already threatening.

"I can tell."

He rolled his eyes.

"Don't laugh."

"I'm trying."

"No, you're not."

"I'm really not."

That made him smile. God. That smile. He looked down at the ring before looking back at me.

"I've arrested murderers. I've stood over more bodies than I can count. I've been shot at. I've stared monsters in the face."