new rugged look as short facial hair now lined his chiseled jaw.
If rollercoasters could whirl about in one’s tummy, that’s just what was happening inside of her. A wonderfully warm celebration of joy. Excitement for a moment she’d been dreaming of for a very long time.
The boys giggled at her side as they stopped in front of him.
“Justine,” Burke said, securing his hand in hers. “I remember the night I stood on the rooftop with you, looking up at the stars. On that day, with your help, I caught a glimpse of heaven. But it didn’t end there. In the time we spent since that day, I continued to see the world through your eyes. I discovered that the views were more spectacular. That music sounded better than it had before. And that perhaps heaven, and the loved ones it holds, isn’t so far away after all.”
Justine bit her lip as a wave of emotion pooled around her heart. Tears pricked her eyes. She was vaguely aware that the family had gathered in closer, some with their camera phones aimed at the action. Penny was snapping pictures as well, capturing the moment Justine would surely cherish her whole life long.
“I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I gave Wilfred that simple nod. A nod that said I was the man who would marry you. But there must have been someone in the heavens watching over us then, because that’s exactly who I intend to be.”
He produced an open ring box from the hand behind his back and lifted it to her. And there it was, the exact ring she’d picked out—a platinum band holding a modest diamond in, what else, a princess cut.
“I’ve since gained your granddad’s approval,” he said, shooting a nod in Wilfred’s direction before locking those eyes back on her. “And if you’ll have me, I’d like to spend our lifetime together, helping each other pause long enough to see heaven on earth.”
He licked his lips, gulped, and locked his gaze on hers. “Justine Purcell, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
A new burst of elation shot through her at his words. At the intoxicating look in his blue eyes as he awaited her reply.
She grinned wide. “Of course, Burke.”
Burke skipped the ring-on-the-finger part and shot to his feet, securing her in his arms and lifting her right off the ground. He spun her in place with a cheer. “Woo hoo!” And then his lips were on hers.
“I love you, Justine,” he rasped through kisses.
“I love you too,” she assured.
The group rushed in then, greeting the couple with congratulations and inquiries about the date.
“Let’s get that ring on her finger,” Penny hollered from behind the lens.
Burke didn’t waste time snatching the ring from the box and securing it between his finger and thumb. Justine reached out her hand, ready for Burke to do the honors. Tonight they’d celebrate at their favorite nearby restaurant, and soon, they’d exchange vows in the chapel she loved so dear.
But for now, as Burke slipped the ring onto her finger with their loved ones close by, Justine sank into the beauty of the moment. It was, just as Burke suggested, a glimpse of heaven on earth.
The End
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Also by Kimberly Krey
Unlikely Cowgirl Series
Her Gun-shy Cowboy
Her Kismet Cowboy
Her Dream Cowboy
Cobble Creek Small Town Romance
The Unlikely Bride
The Hopeful Bride
The Determined Bride
The Sweet Montana Bride Series
Reese’s Cowboy Kiss
Jade’s Cowboy Crush
Cassie’s Cowboy Crave
Second Chances Series
Rough Edges
Mending Hearts
Fresh Starts
Beach Romance
Catching Waves: A Sweet Beach Romance (The Royal Palm Resort Book 2)
28 days with a Billionaire
Benton Brothers Romance
28 days with a Billionaire
Her Best Friend Fake Fiancé
Stepping In For The Billionaire Groom
The Billionaire’s Second Chance
The Billionaire’s (Not So) Fake Engagement
Young Adult Novellas
Getting Kole for Christmas
Getting Micah under the Mistletoe
Chemistry of a Kiss
Novella
Ranch Hand for Auction
Navy SEALs Romance
The Honorable Warrior
The Fearless Warrior
Christmas Romance
Her TV Bachelor Fake Fiancé
Her Best Friend Fake Fiancé
The Billionaire’s (Not So) Fake Engagement
Getting Kole for Christmas
Getting Micah under the Mistletoe
The Comfy Christmas Collection: Four Holiday Romance Reads; First Loves & Second Chances
Collections
Falling for Her Bodyguard: Four Full-length Romance Novels
Cobble Creek Romance Collection: Three small-town Romances
The Sweet Montana Bride Series: Three Witness Protection Cowboy Romances
Second Chance Romance Series: Three Sweet Romances Featuring Second Chances
Falling for the Cowboy Collection: Unlikely Cowgirl Series - 3 Western Romance Novels
It All Starts Here: Sweet Romance Collection
Someone To Love
Wrapped In Romance Collection
Worth The Fight
Under One Roof
Also See
The Cowboy’s Catch (in Big Sky Anthology)
About the Author
Writing Romance That’s Clean Without Losing the Steam!
Award-winning author Kimberly Krey specializes in writing 'Romance That's Clean without Losing the Steam'. She's a fervent lover of God, family, and cheese platters, as well as the ultimate hater of laundry. Subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on any of the sites below for updates on new releases and or giveaways.
Acknowledgments
credits
See Dedication at beginning of book. Credits below:
Song Credit: I Can’t Help Falling In Love:
Song by George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, and Luigi Creator