As they neared a small island off Treasure Harbor Bay, Roman began to steer toward the shore.
“What are we doing here? Treasure seeking?” she asked with a smile as the reached the shore.
Roman’s expression was sheepish. “I don’t know. Might be a nice place to have our picnic lunch. It’s nice and quiet over here.” He slapped a hand to his forehead. “I forgot the picnic basket.”
“What is going on with you today?” Jade asked. “You seem a bit preoccupied.”
He scratched at his neck and shifted from one foot to the other. “Me? No. Not at all. Or maybe I am. I just have something to ask you.”
Jade locked gazes with him. “Okay. Shoot.”
His eyes radiated intensity. His body language was slightly awkward. He seemed nervous. “Will you?”
“Will I what?”
He let out a groan. “I’m doing this all wrong.” Roman ran a hand over his face. She immediately noticed he was trembling. Whoa! Something seemed off with him. She prayed it didn’t signify anything negative about their relationship. She couldn’t imagine how she would get through it if Roman was having second thoughts.
Roman began to fumble with the inside pocket of his nylon jacket. When he pulled out a velvet box, Jade’s legs nearly gave out underneath her. Roman propped the box open to reveal a stunning, pear-shaped yellow diamond ring in a platinum setting. Even in her wildest fantasies, Jade had never imagined that the man she loved would know how to pick the ring of her dreams.
“Wow!” she gasped.
“Is that a good wow?” Roman asked with a frown.
All Jade could do was shake her head up and down. Mere words eluded her at the moment. Her heart was pounding like a jack hammer. Although she and Roman were head over heels in love, she hadn’t been expecting a proposal so soon in their relationship. But, she was a firm believer that when it was right between two people, time didn’t matter.
“Phew!” Roman said. “Picking a ring for a jeweler who grew up in a family of jewelers is pretty mind boggling. I kept thinking there was no way I’d hit a home run.” He dropped down to one knee and looked up at her with nothing but love and devotion glinting in his eyes.
“Jade. You’re my best friend. After Sam died, I didn’t think I’d ever find someone who would know me down to my core. Not only did I find the love of my life in you, but I also found someone who I can lean on and lay myself bare to. A best friend. I know without a shadow of a doubt that come what may, you’ll be at my side. And I’ll stand by you, no matter what challenges life throws at us. It would be the supreme honor of my life if you would be my wife…my bride. My forever.” His voice turned raspy. “Will you, Jade Sims, make me the happiest guy in the world and marry me?”
“Oh, Roman. There’s only one answer to that question. Of course I will.” She felt tears pooling in her eyes and she blinked them away, determined not to cry. This was a time for joy. For celebration. For praising God for bringing them together. “I would be honored to marry you and cherish you and spend a lifetime loving you. I won’t ever forsake you, Roman.”
Roman stood up and gently took the ring out of the box. It made Jade smile to see him treating the ring with such immense love and care. He reached for her hand and slid the ring on to her finger. It sparkled and winked at her as she wiggled her ring finger. She felt like pinching herself. Was this really happening?
“Fits like a charm,” Roman teased.
“It’s stunning,” Jade said, admiring the flawless engagement ring.
“Not half as stunning as my fiancée.” He dipped his head down and placed a searing kiss on Jade’s lips. Jade reached her arms up so that she could place her hands on his shoulders. It felt so nice to be kissed by this man who would soon be her husband. She had been blessed at the very moment Roman walked into Gems.
Jade clapped her hands together. “I can’t wait to tell my parents. They’ll be thrilled.”
Roman quirked his mouth. “Well, they sort of know already. I went to your father and asked him for your hand in marriage.”
Suddenly, she couldn’t hold back the tide of tears any longer. Her chest felt tight, as if it could no longer contain her heart. She began to sniffle and wipe away the tears.
Roman took her in his arms and rocked her back and forth. He crooned words of love and comfort in her ears. “If you’re going to insist on crying, make ‘em happy tears, Jade.”
She pulled away from his chest. “Of course they’re happy tears. It’s so moving to hear that you went to my father and asked him for my hand in marriage. I wasn’t sure men did that anymore.”
He winked at her. “This man does.” He brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “I respect you and your family way too much not to do this right. I let them know in no uncertain terms that I’ll watch over their beloved for the rest of my days.”
“You’re going to make me cry more happy tears if you keep this up,” she said in a teasing voice. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Anything,” Roman said.
“Can we have a short engagement? I don’t need a big huge fancy wedding. All I need is you, our family and friends and Pastor Riggins and Safe Harbor Church. And God by our side as we recite our vows. I can’t wait to become your wife, Roman.”
“I can’t think of anything better than a Christmas wedding.”
Jade let out a squeal. “Next month?”
“Too soon?”
She circled her arms around Roman’s neck and pulled him down toward her for a tender kiss. “Nope. Anytime. Anywhere. Just say the word.”
“Marry me then, Jade. Make me your husband.”
They cemented their wedding plans with a triumphant kiss that signified nothing but clear blue skies and calm seas in their future.
THE END
Coming next: August 1st. Book 7— “The Sum of Love” by Leah Atwood
The conclusion of the Treasure Harbor series.
His Precious Jewel (Treasure Harbor Book 6) Page 8
