Page 44 of Second to None

“Well, I can allow you time to pack,” Max said.

Izzy began capering around the room. “We’re going on vacation!” She stopped. “Wait, do we pack winter or summer clothes?”

“That’s up to your mother,” Max said. “Although I have a couple of suggestions.”

Emily’s mind was still spinning in frantic circles. “Can we really just leave?” she murmured.

“Why not?” Max stood and walked over to bring her to her feet. Framing her face with his hands, he smiled down at her. “It’s very hard to find a gift for the woman who already has everything.”

“Me? I’m not the rich one.” She leaned into the solid, sexy warmth of him.

“You have everything that’s important,” he said. “A smart, beautiful daughter. The admiration and respect of those you work with. A job that makes the world a better place. A home that warmly embraces all visitors.”

“That list is missing one very important element,” Emily said, her heart aching at the truth of his words.

Max looked surprised. “What did I forget?”

“You!”

*

After Max had kissed Emily thoroughly for saying exactly what he wanted to hear, he sent her and Izzy off to pack for a beach vacation on a private Caribbean island. As he waited by the crackling fire, he pulled a small velvet pouch out of his pocket. Untying the bag’s silk cords, he shook a ring onto the palm of his hand. He held up the large oval diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds and set in a graceful antique platinum band, turning it so the stones sparked in the firelight.

Rocco ambled over and plunked down on top of Max’s shoe. Max knelt down to show the ring to the puppy. “Do you think she’ll like it, little fellow?”

Rocco sniffed the ring before he gave the diamond an enthusiastic slurp.

“I think you’re right, although I’ll have to get it cleaned again now,” Max said, returning the ring to its pouch. “My plan is to take Emily and Izzy for a walk on the beach right before sunset. There’s a place where a tidal pool reflects all the colors in the sky. I’ll tell them how important they are to me and how much I want to spend the rest of my life with them.”

He rubbed his fingers over the shape of the ring in the pouch. “I know without a doubt that Emily is the only woman for me, but is it too soon to expect her to feel the same way?”

Rocco shook not only his head but his entire body, nearly falling over.

“Okay, buddy, I’m going to trust you on this,” Max said, picking up the puppy and holding him in front of his face. “But if she says no, you’re going to be in the doghouse.”