Page 37 of Ghostly Bother (Ghostly #9)

Lance got off the motorcycle and stretched.

Angus followed. They decided to only take one bike instead of both, and Lance was glad.

He loved holding on to Angus as they moved through the canyon curves, feeling his muscles tighten as he steered the bike.

It was hot out, and they were both sweaty, but it had been worth it.

"Let's get food, then go sit by the lake." Angus nodded to the small café near the marina.

Lance nodded and followed. They'd come up here a few times together, and both enjoyed the simple burger and fries the café sold. "One day I'm going to figure out what they use in their secret sauce."

"Sometimes it's better not knowing, but I agree. If I could make it at home, we'd be eating burgers every night." Angus placed their to-go order, and they stepped back to wait.

"This was the best idea." Lance looked across the lake. "I wish we didn't have to be back for work tomorrow."

"Me too. The weekends go too fast." Angus leaned closer to Lance, pulling him closer. "Next weekend we have your dad's birthday party, and the weekend after that, Franks invited us to his place to barbecue. I'm not complaining, but this will be our last weekend alone for a while."

"Then we'll have to take full advantage of it.

" Lance nodded to one of the tables in the distance.

"That one should give us enough privacy.

" He was nervous. He'd decided after going just a few days without Angus by his side, he never wanted that to happen again.

He'd gone out last week and bought Angus a ring.

He wished Jackson was around so he could talk to him about taking such a big step, but he'd gone to Ray instead.

Having never been married, Ray wasn't a lot of help, but he'd been supportive and tried to ease Lance's worries that it was too soon in their relationship to take such a huge step.

He kept worrying. What if he was the only one who felt this strongly?

What if he asked and Angus didn't want to be married, and it caused some sort of issue between them?

They hinted a lot about forever. Joked about being married, but they'd never truly sat down and discussed it.

The ring was like a weight in his pocket, refusing to let him forget it was there.

He tried to force his mind from it, but each time he moved, he felt the box in his pocket.

He'd thought of a million places to do this, a million things to say, but he still didn't know exactly when the right moment would be.

Not standing, waiting for food. Maybe at the picnic table with the lake beside them.

"I got it." Angus waved Lance back as their number was called to pick up their food.

They walked side by side to the picnic table. There was a soft breeze coming off the water, and around them families enjoyed the water. Several boats floated, people fishing and swimming. Lance was almost jealous of those enjoying the cool water.

"So do you think something more is going on with Franks and Gretta, or are they just good friends?" Angus asked as they laid out their food.

"I caught them kissing in the front office the other day.

It wasn't a big passionate kiss, but one like you and I share when you're leaving.

There's definitely something there, but I'm not sure how far they've taken it.

I'm just glad they're both happy. Franks would never admit it, but he's been lonely.

And I think Gretta needed a man like Franks who isn't looking for someone to show off.

Her ex sounds horrible. She said he refused to let her leave the house unless she was wearing makeup and something he deemed presentable.

Can you imagine telling me what I can and can't wear? "

Angus laughed. "I'd tell you to go naked all the time."

"Sure, get me arrested."

"In handcuffs at least." Angus wiggled his eyebrows.

"You're horrible." Lance laughed as he ate. Just a bit longer. He'd wait until they finished eating, then he'd get down on one knee and pray the right words came to him. He was sure he'd mess this up.

"Help!" The loud scream came from the lake.

Angus and Lance stood, turning to find a woman staring over the edge of a paddle boat.

"My son fell in. Help, I can't swim."

Lance saw the boy floating several feet from the boat, luckily wearing a life vest. The little boy couldn't be more than three or four as he bobbed on the water, his head sinking below the small waves from time to time.

Before Lance could think, Angus had kicked off his boots, tossed his phone and wallet at Lance and jumped into the water, swimming with strong strokes toward the small boy. Others were in the water going after the child as well, but it was Angus who reached him first.

Lance smiled as Angus held the boy close and slowly moved back to the mother and their paddle boat. He wasn't surprised when Angus climbed up, set the baby on the mother's lap, and started to paddle the boat back to shore so she wouldn't have to.

This was why he loved the man. Everyone's hero.

But the box in his pocket would have to wait.

He wasn't going to do this with Angus soaking wet and adrenaline already coursing through him.

There would be a better time. One where others weren't around to interrupt their special moment.

Lance could wait. He knew Angus wasn't going anywhere.

Married or not, their love was real, and he knew the two of them would be together forever.