Page 63 of Vanished in the Mist

“Oh, my God,” she whispered, staring at him. “Kaden? What are you doing?”

“Solving our long-distance-relationship problem.” He flipped open the black velvet box and pulled out the diamond solitaire ring sitting there.

For once, Shanna seemed shocked into silence.

“Shanna Hudson, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She stared at the ring, then at him. “Kaden, we haven’t even known each other for a whole month!”

“And in that time we’ve been together almost twenty-four seven. I’ve done the math. We’ve known each other longer than if we’d just casually dated a few times a week for well over a year.”

She burst out laughing. “I’m not sure about your math, but that’s a pretty clever argument.”

“Is that a yes?”

Her smile faded. “Where would we live? We both have businesses a full day’s drive from each other.”

“We’re both entrepreneurs. And young enough to start over. I can sell my company to my team. They’d love to all have part ownership in it. You could do the same with yours, if you want. We can start our own business together, or retire early on our profits from the sales. I’m not exactly hurting, financially. I’ve got quite a nest egg saved up. We can go anywhere you want to go. I’ll even live in West Virginia if that’s where you prefer to be, at the top of the tallest mountain.” He searched her gaze. “That is, if I’ve read you right. I told you I loved you. Now it’s your turn. Unless… I’m completely wrong here?”

“Oh, Kaden. How could I not love you?”

Joy and relief swept through him. “One down. One to go. What about my other question?”

She stared at him in amazement. “You’re willing to brave driving up a scary mountain road for me? And live at the very top?”

“I’m willing to brave anything if you say yes.”

She laughed and held out her hand. “Yes, yes, yes!”

He slid the ring on her finger, then kissed her, far more gently than he wanted, careful not to hurt her cracked ribs. When he pulled back, tears were tracking down her face.

“Happy tears,” she assured him. “I love you, Kaden Rafferty. And I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life showing you.” She gave him a sexy wink.

He was grinning so hard his mouth hurt. He jumped to his feet and turned her wheelchair around, then pushed her toward the hospital, racing across the concrete.

“Whoa, horsey,” she called out. “Why the rush? Slow down?”

“We have to see the doctor. Right now.”

She looked up at him. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to bribe him to spring you out of here so we can get started on you showing me how much you love me.” He gave her a sexy leer.

She burst out laughing and pointed to the hospital doors. “Onward, my prince. Our forever is waiting.”