out. I’m glad we have the heaters set up outside.”
Trent walked over and leaned down to kiss her. Skye tilted her head up and sighed with pleasure when his lips covered hers. “How was your day?”
“Busy but good.” Trent took a seat next to her at the table and pushed his box toward her.
“I have a gift for you too.”
Trent looked at the tie-shaped box Skye handed him and then smiled up at her. “This is a surprise. But, ladies first.”
Skye tore into the wrapping paper and pried the lid off the cardboard box. Inside sat a stuffed cartoon alligator with a smile on its face and— “Oh my gosh,” Skye gasped at the same time she burst out laughing at the engagement ring hanging off a stuffed tooth.
When Skye looked over at Trent with surprise and pure joy, she found him on one knee. He reached for the ring and held it between his fingers as his eyes met hers. “I knew you were special from the first conversation we had. I love how you fought for yourself, how you fought for us, and how you fought for our love. I can’t tell you the happiness you’ve brought into my life since you ran into town with Big Bertha hot on your heels. You’re compassionate, you’re brilliant, and you’re so courageous it’s inspiring. Nothing would make me prouder than to be your husband. Skye, will you marry me?”
Skye sniffed as the stupid happy tears made her perfect image of Trent on his knee before her blur. “Yes!” she cried as she used her right hand to swipe at the tears. She held out a shaking left hand and was bursting with happiness when Trent slid the ring home. Then she threw herself into his arms and they whispered how much they loved each other. Take that, Hollywood rom-coms! Nothing could compete with her real life happily ever after—alligators and all.
Trent felt as if he could finally breathe. She’d said yes! He pulled back from the hug to capture her face between his hands and kiss her with all the love and hope he had for their future together..
Skye kissed him back with her whole heart before pulling back with a laugh. “Now my gift won’t compare,” she said with a giggle as she wiped the happy tears from her eyes. She wasn’t the only one misty-eyed. Trent could admit having her agree to be his wife would have brought him to his knees if he weren’t already there.
Skye shoved the long flat box forward. Trent tore off the wrapping paper and opened it up expecting to find a turkey tie. Instead, he blinked in confusion as he looked down at the knitted thing in the box. It had a peach-colored pouch on one end and a red knitted handle attached to it. The tip of the handle was topped off with a black triangle knitted thingy.
“It’s great. Um, what is it?” Trent asked as he held it up. He could put some nuts and bolts in the pouch and he guessed he’d close it with that little tie on it that seemed to cinch it up. Or maybe the handle somehow closed it. Oh, wait, the handle was hollow. “Oh, I know what this is. It’s a hammer warmer.”
Laughter snuck out of Skye’s mouth as she struggled to keep it together. Trent was sure he was missing something. “It is a hammer warmer, but a different kind of hammer. It’s called a willie warmer.”
Willie? He didn’t have a hammer by that brand.
“Let me show you,” Skye said and her voice suddenly wasn’t laughing as she reached for his pants. Willie warm—ah! Now he got it. Skye kissed him hard as she slipped her gift on.
“Oh, that’s really warm,” Trent said, looking down at his snuggly erect hammer. “Wait, is that Santa Claus?”
“Ho-ho-ho,” Skye said as she yanked him forward to her, leaning back onto the tabletop and sending the stuffed Bertha toy flying.
“Well, Miss Jessamine, have you been naughty or nice this year?” Trent asked as he began undressing her.
“I think you’d better get used to calling me Mrs. Faulkner.”
His lips were on hers, her hands were on him, and when she pulled off his willie warmer, he kind of missed it. Good thing he wasn’t cold for long.
“Are you all ready for this?” Skye asked.
“Do I take your purse now or later?” Trent asked with a wink as the limousine pulled up to the red carpet.