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I was shocked at the lies some people were willing to come up with to harm others. Cyrus deserved whatever came his way.
“Right, so I think it’s best if I walk you through it,” I said.
He hadn’t been in the greenhouse before. It was huge—big enough that she’d once toyed with the idea of renting it out for events. Ms. Adams had all sorts of plants, from eggplants, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables to aloe vera and orchids.
“These two tables are the workstations.” I pointed to the one on the left, where she’d put three aloe vera plants that had seen better days. There were also three empty pots and bags of dirt on one side. The second table had a similar setup, with two aloe vera plants and a lonesome orchid that had dried up.
"Oh, look at that poor orchid. That's sad. I can't wait to repot it," I said.
Chase flashed me a smile that was slightly triumphant. That was interesting... and weird.
"Want to start now?" he asked.
I would never have thought he'd be so into repotting, but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I was happy we liked to do many of the same things.
"Sure, I'll do it." I put on gloves and carefully pulled out the orchid while Chase held the pot. "I hope it’s salvageable. This came out far too easily.” So easily that it made me think someone had already dislodged it.
I put it on the table and then glanced into the pot. There was something else besides dirt inside.
"There's a box!" I gasped. It was a small velvet jewelry box. I nearly dropped the orchid but caught it in time and set it carefully on the table.
My heart went pitter-patter as Chase brushed away the dirt from the dark blue box, lowering himself onto one knee. The floor was filthy from the dirt that had come off the potted plant, but he didn't seem to care. He opened the lid, and I was lost for words.
I was looking at Mom’s ring. I'd always loved that dark green stone and the little white ones around it.
"I've searched for the perfect ring for a while in stores. Then I remembered you love your mother’s engagement ring.”
"You remembered everything I told you?”
“I wouldn’t forget something like this. You told me this valuable info in Palm Springs.”
“Your memory is eidetic. You even remember things I said at the wedding."
"No, I only remember the essential parts from the wedding. I remembered all the fighting, the dancing, the kissing. Anyway, I asked your mother for the ring because I knew it would make you the happiest."
"It does," I assured him, fighting tears. How could this man know me so well? Sometimes I thought he might know me even better than I knew myself.
"So, with this ring, I want to ask you to be my wife. Will you give me the honor of loving you forever? Of calling you mine for the rest of our lives? You’re my everything, Hannah. You came into my life when I least expected it, and you've shown me what it means to trust someone else with your happiness and how amazing it can be. Thank you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, of course I will."
I shuddered when he put on the ring. He squeezed my fingers as he rose to his feet and kissed me deeply, shoving me against the table and deepening the kiss, intertwining our tongues.
Pulling back, Chase said, "There's something else in the pot."
I looked inside and frowned.
"It's a key," I said, confused.
"Yeah."
"To the greenhouse?"
"To Ms. Adams's house."
I glanced up at him, my heart beating even faster than before.
"I spoke to Ms. Adams. I found out from someone"—he smiled—"that she wanted to sell her house. I told her we're interested, that we want to raise a family here.” He feathered his lips against mine. "I'd like nothing more than to fulfill your dream, Hannah."