She also found several CDs of Spanish flamenco music by a guitarist she knew he liked.
The closer the hours drew to Christmas Day, the more she had to fight the nearly overwhelming need to broadcast their engagement. They had decided to make the announcement on December 25, when everyone was together. Amanda felt she was about to burst.
Following traditions established by Melanie Coulter, everyone went to Christmas Eve church services in Indian Springs, returning to the Lodge in a caravan.
It was after midnight before the Lodge lobby slowly emptied as the couples headed upstairs. Brodie retired first, his steps on the stairs slow and methodical. Cade and Mariah soon followed; then Zach and Cynthia said good-night, leaving Eli and Amanda alone in front of the brightly lit tree.
The lamps glowed softly, the fire in the hearth adding its red-gold gleam to the colored lights twinkling on the decorated fir. A large evergreen wreath hung above the fireplace mantel, the glossy sheen of green needles and its large red ribbon bow adding color to the gray river rock of the chimney.
“It’s getting late. We should go up, too,” Amanda said softly. She turned, but before she could take a second step away from him, he caught her fingers in his.
His grip on her hand swung her back to face him.
Eli reached into his coat pocket and drew out a small blue velvet jewelers’ box. “You remember my mother made just a few rings. Mariah has one, and so does Cynthia. I’d be honored if you’d wear one, too.”
Amanda gasped and felt her eyes widen. The engagement ring had a large marquise-cut diamond, and there was a wedding band that matched perfectly, the exquisite stones sparkling in the light.
“Oh, Eli, they’re beautiful.”
“The engagement ring is from my mother’s collection, but I made the wedding ring myself.” He slipped the engagement ring free and tucked the small box back into his pocket. Then he lifted her hand and slid the ring onto her finger before bending his head and brushing a kiss against the ring and her skin.
“The ring is not nearly as beautiful as you are,” he told her, his hands settling at her waist to hold her. He bent his head, nuzzling the curve of her neck where shoulder met throat. “When can we get married? Soon, right?”
She laughed, eyes half closed as his warm lips moved enticingly against her throat. “It takes a while to plan a wedding, Eli.”
He raised his head. “We could fly to Las Vegas and be married tomorrow.”
She laughed. “Don’t you think we should tell your brothers first? Besides, I’ve always wanted a real wedding. A traditional wedding with a beautiful dress, flowers, bridesmaids and my parents there.”
“Then that’s what you’ll have,” he said promptly. “Where do you want to have it? New York City?”
“No, I’d like to fly my family and friends out and hold it here, at the Lodge.” She looked up at him. “Do you think Zach would let us use the Lodge?”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering to brush over her cheek with a gentleness that matched the tenderness in his eyes. “I think Zach would be a happy camper if you decide to have the wedding here.”
“And you?” she asked. “Would you like to get married here on the ranch—maybe on Valentine’s Day?”
“Honey,” he said, his deep voice serious. “I’d be happy if you said you wanted to get married at the bottom of the ocean. Having the wedding here on the Triple C is just a bonus. As long as I you say ‘I do,’ I’m good.”
She smiled and looped her arms around his neck, testing the soft silkiness of the hair at his nape with her fingertips. “I really do love you…so much.”
“And thank God for that,” he muttered before he took her mouth with his. As Amanda closed her eyes, swept away as always by the magic of his lips on hers, she could only echo the sentiment.
After Amanda had been thoroughly kissed, Eli finally pulled away from her. Then he hollered up the stairs with the news they’d been suppressing for weeks. As his brothers came racing back down the stairs to share in their happiness, Amanda realized there was no place in the world she’d rather be.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-1565-8
A COULTER’S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL
Copyright © 2011 by Lois Faye Dyer
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A Coulter’s Christmas Proposal Page 18
