Page 40 of The Rancher's Wedding Deception

"By marrying me?"

"I'm supposed to get mad at you—-"

Hale laughs.

"Butyes, oh yes,I'll marry you."

I'm still sniffing back tears when we finally leave his office hand in hand, but I end up blushing as well when I remember too late we no longer have the Sanctuary to ourselves.

Oh!

I would've stumbled and froze as I found myself face-to-face with my colleagues, but with Hale only curving an arm around my waist to pull me close, I don't even have a chance to explain or say hi.

He has us walking past them like his entire workforce isn't aware that he's hated me four years, and...is it just my imagination or did their faces really lose color upon seeing me?

I look at Hale uneasily as soon as the elevator doors close, and it's just the two of us again.

"Did you say anything to them?"

Hale checks his watch. "It probably went out a few minutes ago."

"What did?"

"A company-wide memo from the chairman of the board—-"

"Which isyou," I point out.

"—-to serve as our official announcement of our engagement."

I can only laugh. Most couples either have their engagement notice posted in the papers or at least make it Instagram-official. But it's justsolike Hale to inform everyone through company channels instead, and I honestly wouldn't want him any other way.

Hale's chopper is already running when we get to the helipad, and the pilot takes his lovely cap off in greeting as we approach him.

Hale helps me to my seat, but I end up looking at him in alarm when he doesn't join me on board.

"Give me ten minutes," he says. "I forgot something in my office."

I nod and think nothing about this.

Except...the minutes eventually turn into an hour, and I start feeling something's terribly wrong.

What's happening, God?

And almost on cue, the pilot switches the engine off before turning to me.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Gaines."

Why did he bother turning if he didn't care to meet my gaze?

"But I'll need you to get off the chopper and take you to H.R.."

What for?

"Could you tell me—-"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Gaines."

I don't understand, God.