“I think . . .” She laughed a little. “I can’t think.”

“Good. Don’t think. Just listen, listen and stop, for once, trying to project what I think and feel. I thought the logical thing was to take it slow, to give us both time to adjust to what happened between us. To what happened in me.”

He took her hand, pressed it to his heart.

“I thought you needed to catch up, so you were right about that. I didn’t see. I should have. But you didn’t see either. You didn’t see how much I love you, how much I want you, how much I need you. I’ll buy those two dogs if I want pets, and I already have a sister. That’s not how I think of you, and it’s sure as hell not how I want you to think of me. That makes us even. Even ground, Laurel, that’s where we’re standing.”

“You mean it.”

“How long have you known me?”

Her eyes blurred, but she blinked them clear. “A really long time.”

“Then you know I mean it.”

“I love you so much. I told myself I’d get over you, and it was such a lie. I never would.”

“I’m not finished.” He reached in his pocket, watched her eyes go huge when he pulled out the box, opened it. “It was my mother’s.”

“I know. I ... Oh God. Del.”

“I took it out of the vault a couple weeks ago.”

“Weeks ago,” she managed.

“It was after the night at the pond. Everything had already changed direction, but after that night—really after that day when you came to my office, I knew where we were—or where I wanted us to go. I had it resized for you. That was probably a little arrogant, but you’ll have to live with it.”

“Del.” She couldn’t get her breath. “You can’t—Your mother’s ring. Parker.”

“I woke her before I woke you. She’s good with it. She said to tell you don’t be stupid. Our parents loved you.”

“Oh, damn it.”The tears simply flooded her face. “I don’t want to cry. I can’t help it.”

“You’re the only one I’ve ever thought about asking to wear this. The only one I want to wear it. I’ve just driven all the way to Greenwich and back to get it for you. To give it to you because you’re the only one. Marry me, Laurel.”

“I won’t be stupid. Kiss me again first, when I’m not wishing I didn’t love you.”

She felt the sea breeze on her skin, in her hair as their lips met, and the strong, steady beat of his heart against hers. And heard the whistles and cheers.

Turning her head so her cheek rested on his, she saw the group gathered on the deck of the house above. “Parker woke everyone up.

“Well, ours has always been a family affair.” He drew back. “Ready?”

“Yes. I’m absolutely and completely ready.”

The ring he slid on her finger sparkled in the first beams of the sun while the eastern sky blossomed like a rose. A moment, she thought, to savor, then sealed their moment with another kiss.

“This is the right time,” she told him. “This is a good place. Tell me one more time I’m the one.”

“You’re the one.” He cupped her face again. “The only one.”

The one, she thought, on this fresh new day. And the one through all the days after.

Hand in hand, they started back up the steps to share the next moments with family.