Page 115 of Diamonds in the Mud

“This is my first fair,” he said.

I stopped and looked at him. “Shut up.” I slapped him on the shoulder. “Really?”

“Yup.” He smiled. “My parents weren’t really the hands-on type. I spent most of my days hiding from them at the bike park. I got a BMX bike when I was eight and rode it until I bought my first hog at seventeen.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, taking his hand again. “We’ll just have to make this weekend a full-blown fair extravaganza for you,” I joked.

“What does that even mean?” He laughed.

“It means we will ride every ride, eat everything they have to offer, and have as much fun as possible.” I tugged on his hand. “Now, let’s figure a way out of here so we can get a caramel apple and ride the Ferris wheel and then ride the spinning cups and throw up everything we’ve just eaten.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Diamonds are intrinsically worthless,

except for the deep psychological need they fill.”

–Nicky Oppenheimer De Beers

Jameson

The moment we sat down in one of the seats on the Ferris wheel, my entire body seemed to freeze up. My hands gripped the bar in front of me as the ride slowly groaned and swayed into motion.

“Isn’t this the best?” Rayne sighed beside me. “Hey, are you okay?”

The sound of worry in her tone shook me out of the temporary stupor. I wasn’t afraid of heights, as I believed she was thinking now. My fears sprouted from the fact that I was about to ask the most important question of my life.

“Yeah, sure,” I said, forcing myself to relax. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to me, which had a calming effect.

“I love this, being able to look down on my town. On everyone I love.” She sighed and rested her head against my shoulder. “They’re like stars in the night sky.” She motioned to the crowd below as we climbed higher. “Each and every person down there is mine. And I know that deep down they are all good people.” She turned to me. “Every single one of them would give you the shirt off their backs. Their love for each other burns brighter than the stars, their kindness is stronger than diamonds.” She laughed and I kissed her.

“Diamonds in the Louisiana mud,” I said, feeling the same about the townspeople that I’d come to know and love.

“I like that. Diamonds in the mud.” She smiled and then took a deep breath as she glanced over the crowd below us. “Oh look, there’s Aria and Tobias,” she said, pointing into the crowd below. The ride slowed and then stopped with us at the very top while they let someone else on the ride below us. Just then the couple below us looked up at us and we waved back down at them.

This was the time. Aria had asked if she could record the entire event from below and when Rayne spotted them, it was my time to act.

Trying not to fumble, I pulled the small jewelry box out of my pocket and held it out. I gripped it as tightly as I could, tighter than I had gripped the security bar in front of me moments ago.

“Rayne,” I said softly, getting her attention. When she glanced over at me, I was holding the small jewelry box out in front of her.

Rayne gasped in surprise, and I watched a spark fill her eyes.

I hadn’t planned on what to say. Not really. I figured when the moment came, I’d know the right words. Opening my mouth, I let how I felt about her flow out of me.

“You are the most wonderful thing that has happened to me. You changed everything I’ve ever wanted in life with just one kiss. I can’t imagine not being with you, or growing old without seeing your smile, hearing your laughter, being with you. I’ll do my damnedest to make your life as joyous as you make mine. Marry me?” I said and waited, unable to breath until I knew her answer.

Slowly, she reached out, laid her hand on my cheek. “I’ve never loved anyone like you before. Yes,” she said with a smile. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” She laughed as I pulled her close and kissed her until we were both breathless.

“What did you say?” came a loud voice from below.

We both looked down to see Aria with a small toy bullhorn up to her lips and a phone with its camera pointed at us in the other hand.

Laughing, Rayne yelled down, “YES!”

“Put the ring on it then,” Aria said back into the speaker.

Rayne turned to me and smiled as she held her hand out. “Yes, put a ring on it.”