Page 47 of Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1)

CHAPTER FORTY

LEAD THE WAY

MILO

Goldie has no idea that yesterday I wasn’t just going to work in Minneapolis. After I finished an early meeting, I went to my parents’ house.

Grandma was there too and she was so sweet.

“I can’t believe I haven’t met this girl of yours yet,” she said.

“I can’t either, Grandma. We’ve gotta fix that. When can we come see you?”

“Well, I can make it easier on you by letting you know the next time I’m in town.” She laughed and patted my face. “I’ve got something for you.” She picked up the box from the side table and waved it in front of me. “I had it cleaned up and it’s so sparkly.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

I open the box and swallow hard. My grandma told me a long time ago that when I found the woman I loved, I could have her ring.

“There was a lot of love surrounding this ring,” she said. “It’s a relic now.” She laughed. “But it’s still beautiful, I think.”

“Oh, it’s definitely beautiful. And it’s the most unique ring I’ve ever seen.”

With Goldie’s love for sustainability and repurposing, I think she’d appreciate many different styles, but this one…I think she’ll flip when she sees it.

“It was new in the ‘40s and quite outrageous.” She chuckled. “White gold,” she says, tapping the ring. “The center diamond is three carats and all these smaller diamonds add up to a carat. I think the way it’s set gives the illusion of motion, almost like waves colliding.”

“That’s a perfect way to put it. I think you’re right.”

The sun is rising as I walk down to the water.

I take in the beauty, still in awe of this beautiful place.

We’ve had warm days and chilly nights for the past few weeks, so the leaves are spectacularly vibrant.

There are still patches of green grass, but many orange, red, and yellow leaves are still hanging onto the trees for dear life, and the rest are quickly dropping to the ground.

I miss the great restaurants and quick access to the office, but otherwise, I don’t miss the city much.

The sound of the water lapping against the shore and the blue stretching as far as I can see grounds me.

I’m allowing myself this calm only for the time it takes me to drink my cup of coffee.

“Hey, Mildie,” I hear behind me.

I look over my shoulder and see Goldie walking toward me in a pretty dress.

I put the box back in my pocket and enjoy the view.

My stomach falls out, seeing her smile, the way her curves fill all the right places, the deep V that peeks out at her neckline, and her perfect ass and long legs.

Her delicate fingers, the mouth that I obsess over.

Every inch of her is staggeringly gorgeous, sexy, and all woman.

She watches me check her out and her smile deepens.

“Hi,” I say. “You look way too pretty this morning. But you’re always beautiful.”

“I was just thinking the same about you.”

I tug her toward me and give her a lingering kiss. “How are you feeling? You ready for this day?”

“Now that I’ve had my coffee, I think so. How ‘bout you?”

“I’m ready. I feel good about things. I might need another cup of coffee, but…” I grin.

Now that she’s pulled back a little, I notice she’s holding something.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“I’ve got a little present for you.” She smiles and lifts up a small box.

“What? A present?”

“I wanted to give you something…because I love you and because you’ve done so much for me and my family.

You’ve picked up my brothers from the airport when Tully couldn’t.

You’ve driven to Minneapolis to get the cloth napkins when we found out they weren’t going to be delivered in time.

I saw the list you were working on last night and it’s as long as mine.

” Her eyes glisten and she presses her lips together.

“I just wanted to say I’ve noticed every sacrifice you’ve made, every way you’ve gone above and beyond what any architect would ever do…

beyond any boyfriend I’ve ever seen too.

” A tear drips down her cheek and I catch it.

“Goodness, all this buildup and the gift is just something simple, but I love you.”

I press my lips to hers. “God, I love you. Thank you. I’d do it all again to be with you. I love you and your family, and I’m proud to be around to witness what you’re doing here.”

“You’re a part of this just as much as I am. I want you to know that.”

I’m touched that she feels this way. I wanted to bring her vision and her dad and brothers’ vision to life, and somewhere along the way, I became completely invested.

“Thank you,” I say quietly. “Thank you for letting me be part of this.”

“I couldn’t have done any of it without you.”

“You could’ve.”

“Let’s not go back to arguing,” she says, sniffling.

I laugh and she hands me the box.

I open it and am stunned when I see an antique compass in perfect condition.

“Goldie,” I breathe out. “It’s beautiful.”

“You are my true north,” she says. “And no matter what we go through, I want you to always find your way back to me.”

I lean down and kiss her. “I will. Always.”

“I had it restored. The needle was re-magnetized, so it works!”

I lift it carefully out of the box and smile when the needle moves into position.

“This is such a thoughtful gift. I’m—” I shake my head, beyond moved. “Thank you. I love it.”

“You’re welcome,” she says softly.

I place the compass back in the box and put it in my pocket, pulling the ring box out.

Her eyes go round when she sees it.

“I have something for you too,” I tell her.

I get on one knee and she gapes. When I open the box, she gasps.

“I didn’t know I could love anyone the way I love you, Goldie. You turn my heart inside out. You make me want to be a better man. You inspire me to dream big. You fill every missing part of me. I want to be by your side forever. Will you marry me?”

Her hand is over her mouth, shaking, and she nods. With a shaky voice, she says, “Yes. I want to marry you more than anything.”

She puts her hands on my cheeks and kisses me hard, and then she kisses my cheeks and forehead and peppers my mouth with little kisses, saying, “Yes, yes, yes.”

I bury my face in her stomach and hug her before standing up, and then I finally put the ring on her finger.

“Wow, this ring is stunning. I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“It was my grandma’s and she is so happy for you to have it, but insists we work out a meeting soon.”

“Absolutely. I hate that we haven’t already met. I guess this whole thing has been pretty fast, hasn’t it?”

I laugh. “Faster than I ever imagined. But when you know, you know.”

We hear a loud squeak and turn, and in the distance, lolling around on his back, is Orion.

“Oh my God. See? Orion knows too. He came by to give his stamp of approval.” She throws her head back and laughs.

I kiss her again because I can’t help myself.

“Your dad gave his approval too,” I tell her.

“You asked him?” Her smile gets lopsided and I think she might cry again.

“When we got back from our weekend in Minneapolis.”

She leans her head against my chest. “I love that.”

We start walking toward the house, the leaves crunching under our feet.

“Let me get another look at you,” I say, lifting her hand and twirling her around. When she twirls into my chest, I grin and lift her.

“I’m so in love with you,” I say, staring up at her.

She leans down and kisses me. “I’m so glad because it was really hard when I couldn’t kiss your face off whenever I wanted. And hello, fiancé, now I can.”

“Hell, yeah, you can.”