“You did it. You drove. You got in the car and drove.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

“Courtney, Fitz was right. There isn’t anything you can’t do.”

She bit down on the inside of her cheek. There were tears coming and she wasn’t sure she could stop them.

“Fitz loved you, but there was so much more going on in him. We can’t even begin to understand what he saw. What he knew. But what we can do is live on knowing he loved you and carry on his spirit.”

She nodded. “You’re right. I still have to go on—even without him.”

“But you have me,” he said, raising his hand and caressing her cheek. “Hold on.”

The door opened and Tyler stepped out. Courtney sat and waited for him. A moment later he opened the door. She turned toward him and swung her legs out and set her feet on the ground. Tyler took her hand and helped her from the car.

He offered his arm, but this time she laced her arm through his and pulled him closer.

“Why are we at your parents’ house?”

“Most private road I knew,” he said on a laugh. “But there’s more.”

Tyler stopped walking. He turned her toward him and took her hands.

“When my mom ran from my dad because of the circumstances surrounding her past, he didn’t give up on her. He loved her more than what came before.” He stepped closer to her. “I love you more than any burden you think you could be.”

“Tyler, I love you. I never should have thought that’s what I was.”

“I’m happy to hear you say that. See, I had this amazing plan for tonight at the gala, but then you didn’t show up.”

“Oh, Tyler, I’m…”

He put his finger over her lips. “I want you to see something.”

“See?” She smiled at him.

“The way you do. Here take a look.”

He took her hand and turned it palm up. Then he set something in it. “What is it?”

“Look.”

She let out a breath and wrapped her other hand around it. It was a velvet box, just like the one Fitz gave her with earrings.

Her hands began to tremble as she felt for the break between lid and bottom. She pushed open the top and stopped for a moment. There was something about that instant you learned what the surprise was. She could use her lack of sight at her advantage for that moment. The box was open and she didn’t know if it was a piece of candy, earrings, or—dear Lord—a ring.

“Aren’t you going to touch it?” Tyler asked during her pause.

“I’m looking at it,” she joked and he laughed.

Timidly she straightened her fingers and touched the item in the box. Her lips trembled when she felt the stone. He’d bought her a ring. A ring that would glisten in the sunlight she could see. A ring that would be silent on her finger as the dark she lived in. A ring that meant eternity—or so she assumed.

She raised her head. “Tyler…”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It reminds me of you. Bright and shiny and simple and beautiful.”

He took the box from her hand. “Your father was happy it wasn’t just a gold band. But you’re not as plain as a gold band.”

“My father?” She jerked back her shoulders. “You talked to him about this?”

Tyler moved in and rested his hand on her cheek. “Of course I did. A gentleman asks for a lady’s hand in marriage. He doesn’t just take it.” He chuckled and she could almost feel his smile, because she knew he wore one.

“You’re going to ask me to marry you?”

“I did that, remember? We agreed to wait until the time was right.”

“And it’s right?”

“It’s right.”

With her hand in his, she felt him move and the gravel crunched under his feet. He let out a few groans and snorted out a laugh. “Why is this part tradition? I just got a rock in my knee.”

“You’re proposing to me on one knee? Oh, God.”

“Did you have something else in mind?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t think anyone would ever propose to me ever. Go on.”

Tyler cleared his throat. “From the very moment you dropped that scarf and I handed it back to you, I’ve been a little smitten with you. But with you by my side, even for a few hours, I was able to accept what had been dealt to me. I gained my life back when I met you and I gained a whole lot more. I fell in love and I knew right away you were the one I wanted to share forever with.”

The tears were rolling down her cheeks now. She lifted her free hand to her mouth to hold back the sobs, which would escape if she didn’t.

Tyler gave her hand a squeeze. “Courtney, will you do me the honor of sharing forever with me? Will you marry me?”

Words didn’t come so she nodded, hoping he’d notice. When she felt the ring slide onto her finger, she knew he’d seen her answer and a moment later he was standing in front of her, pulling her in close with a kiss that could melt the stars from the sky.

“I love you, Courtney.”

“Oh, Tyler, I love you too.” She rested her head against his shoulder until she stopped crying. When she pulled back she felt for the ring on her finger and gave it a good looking at. “This is beautiful. I can’t believe you bought me such a beautiful ring.”

“Avery helped. I’m not very good with picking out pretty things—except for my fiancée.”

“I picked you out, remember?”

He laughed. “Right. I smelled good.”

“You still do.” She reached for his face and pressed a kiss to his lips. “So why did you bring me here to propose? I mean aside from the fact I blew off the gala?”

“This is where my father proposed to my mother. It seemed fitting and that marriage has lasted a long time and endured its share of things that would tear some apart.”

“You’re a very thoughtful man, Tyler Benson.”

“I hope you always think so, because I will never be running away from anything again. Nothing can make me cower with you by my side. You taught me to accept the things I cannot change. And to face them head on with my chin high.”

“I taught you that?”

“You did.”

“Why don’t we go home,” she pulled him closer to her. “And I’ll drive.”