Page 42 of Fighting for Julia (Laguna Beach Cops #6)

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Miguel and Julia

The bright full moon shone in a black velvet sky dusted with millions of twinkling stars.

Miguel inhaled the salty air of the ocean as he strolled along the water’s edge with Julia by his side.

She held her sandals in one hand and his hand in the other.

A cool breeze caressed their bodies and gently stirred Julia’s hair.

Their bruises were fading, and their cuts and abrasions were healing from their ordeal with the Andersons.

When they’d arrived home, they’d slept for the better part of the day, woke long enough to eat and drink, then slept some more.

Every little noise startled them. Miguel wondered how long it would be before they felt completely safe.

Letting Axalia get away had been a mistake. Even though the Jalisco cartel had taken her, if she was still alive, she posed a threat.

But tonight, Miguel pushed aside those dark musings.

Tonight, he wanted to focus on the brave, beautiful woman with him.

He’d finally picked up the wedding rings Marvin had designed, and they were magnificent.

Somehow, he’d carved intertwining vines into the bands—truly a work of art.

Now, after wining and dining Julia, he gathered his courage to propose properly to her.

After a while, they ambled back to the well-lit boardwalk. Miguel guided Julia to a private spot and cleared his throat. “Uh, Jules, I know we’ve had a whirlwind courtship?—”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” Her tinkling laughter that he loved so much sent his heart soaring.

Now it was his turn to blush, damn it. “Courtship,” he insisted.

“But through it all, one thing has become abundantly clear. You are the only woman for me. I’m in love with you.

I want to spend an eternity with you. Loving you.

Raising a family with you. Growing old with you.

” He dropped to one knee and removed a ring box from his pocket.

“Julia Washburn, will you marry me?” He flipped the clasp on the box.

Julia gasped and burst into tears. She dropped to her knees in front of him and cried, “Yes! Yes! I’ll marry you!” He slipped the gorgeous ring on her finger. “Oh, God, I love you, Miguel! I adore you!”

She cupped his face and sealed her answer with a deep kiss.