Page 57 of Hidden Dane

She took a deep breath and nodded though she held onto his arm with her other hand as they stepped inside the gilded lobby. “I did, but that’s not what’s terrifying me right now.”

He leaned closer and ignored that a butler in red came toward them. Emily smelled like roses in her perfume and somehow he was drawn even closer to her as he asked, “What is it then?”

She stared at his polished black shoes instead of his eyes. “I said I wanted to be proud of you, but the truth is that I was scared our lives would never be normal. After visiting the palace, will you be happy with just writing journals about our one trip we might officially take a year?”

She must know how special she was. He traced her back until she looked up at him, and then he said, “Our “trip” might be months long, discovering the past. That brings me joy. I want to see you happy as well.”

“I am happy, Dane.” She fixed his tie for him. “I get to be beside you and I know more about the significance of history and get to write about your finds in addition to my own.”

They made a dynamic team. Dane had intended to ask her over dinner, but as royal guests filed past for the ceremony, Dane’s mind quieted them all out and the box in his pocket almost burned him. He took it out while he said, “Well, I know nothing can eclipse our day but I wanted to ask you a question.”

He went down on one knee.

Emily’s face flamed red. She covered her lips. “What’s going on, Dane?”

He opened the box and showed her a diamond ring made to match her necklace. “I’d like you to move in as my fiancée, Emily.”

She dropped her hand but squeezed his. “What are you saying?”

He stood but didn’t let her go. “I love you and don’t want to spend another minute of my life without you at my side.”

Tears ran down her face as she asked, “Are you serious right now?”

“Yes. Will you marry me?” Emily was perfect and he wanted forever to start, now.

She threw her arms around his neck and bounced up and down as she said, “Yes, yes, yes!”

“Here.” He slipped the ring on her finger.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. He leaned forward and quickly kissed her despite the tap of shoes that it was time for them to keep moving. As the kiss ended, she sighed and said, “Now this really is the best day, ever. I love you, Dane.”

He winked at her and then walked at her side. “So let’s drop off the jewelry and get out of here.”

“I’m all yours.” She marched proudly beside him.

And even if she thought nothing might top this day, she was wrong. Every day with Emily at his side was a taste of heaven. Life couldn’t get better than that.