Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)(91)

He lay spread-eagle on a bed of hay. His face had been painted like a Máa-zib male prisoner would have been hundreds of years ago, his wrists and ankles wrapped in rope as if he were bound, although she knew he wasn’t. He had a chain of flowers around his neck.

She climbed the second step, then stared at him. “What are you doing here?” she asked in a low voice, aware there was a microphone somewhere.

He smiled at her. “If you’re going to cut out anyone’s heart, it’s going to be mine.”

She heard someone murmur in the crowd. No doubt everyone was waiting for the big finish.

“I’m not mad at you,” she told him in a whisper.

“I know.” He sat up. “You’re hurt. I hurt you, Annabelle, and I’m sorry.”

She glanced around, aware of several hundred people watching them. “It’s okay. We can talk about it later.”

“I think we should talk about it now.” One corner of his mouth twitched. “Then you can cut out my heart.”

“Shane,” she began, but he shook his head.

“No, me first.” He scrambled to his feet. “I know you’re nothing like my ex-wife. I know you’re good and kind and caring and loyal. I like everything about you, Annabelle Weiss. More than that, I love you. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure that out, but I did and I’m standing here to say I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our baby.”

She heard the hum of conversation. But all that mattered was staring into Shane’s eyes and seeing the truth of his words in his beautiful eyes.

The pain inside of her faded until only happiness was left. Happiness and the promise of all that would be.

“You’re telling me this now? Here?”

“Sure. The festival is important to you and you’re important to me. I figured you’d appreciate a big finish.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Marry me. Not because it’s the right thing, or because of the baby, but because you love me.”

“I do love you,” she whispered.

“Good. Because I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you, supporting you, being your partner and husband. I have my flaws and I’ll work on them, but once I commit, I don’t give up easily.”

Tears filled her eyes. Tears of joy and promise.

“I’ll marry you,” she murmured.

A cheer went up from the crowd. Confused, she started to turn, but before she could, Khatar leaned in and nudged her from behind. She fell into Shane’s arms. He caught her and kissed her.

There was another cheer and yells that they should all be invited to the wedding.

Annabelle got lost in Shane’s kiss for a second, then drew back and looked around. “I forgot about the microphone.”

“I didn’t.” He kissed her again, then grinned. “I wanted to prove to you I meant what I said. Now we have witnesses and if I don’t treat you right, the whole town will get on my butt. That should make you happy.”

“You make me happy,” she said, leaning in and kissing him again.

He pulled her close, then murmured, “I think they’re going to want us to reenact this every year. Game?”

“With you? Always.”