Sailing at Sunset - Cindi Madsen Page 0,96

saying. No pressure or anything. It’s just an incredible view.”

“Oh, I’m enjoying the incredible view. It’s just that I made a firm plan, so…”

She glanced back to see what he was talking about, figuring he’d packed a heartier snack than the granola bars she’d slipped inside.

Josh was down on one knee, a black velvet box in his upraised palm. “Danae Danvers, from the first email you sent me, I knew my life would never be the same. I didn’t know all the ways you’d change me—I’m a go-with-the-flow guy, in case you were wondering.” He punctuated his statement with a grin she returned.

Inside, her heart went pitter patter, and she told herself not to fast-forward the here and now and begin making plans. This moment was one she wanted to live in for a while. “I’ll put a reminder in my planner. Maybe add a sticker.”

His low laugh drifted over to her and reverberated deep in her soul. “The past six months have been the best months of my life. I’ve learned to embrace other journeys beside sailing. Learned that I’m capable of so much love that I sometimes fear I’ll implode from it.”

“Like a star?” She bent at the waist and cupped his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll hold you together. No matter what.”

“Yet another thing I love about you. The first time I brought you here, I told you about how I’d made one of the biggest decisions of my life as I sat on this bench, one where I was going to focus on living my best, happiest life. And you, Danae Danvers, make me so happy.

“As I said the night of our boat christening…” The lid of the box opened with a snap, revealing a diamond ring that winked in the sun.

Danae loved how he referred to the boat as theirs, and she’d begun referring to her cottage as theirs, too. They’d fully merged their lives, and while she believed that meant Josh would be willing to fully settle down one day, she hadn’t pushed.

Truth be told, neither of them felt like they’d settled. They’d elevated and enhanced both of their lives by building each other up and weathering the storm of life together. She’d told herself if that was all that ever came from their relationship, she’d consider herself very fortunate.

But this…? The sweetest, most exquisite joy washed away every worry she’d ever had about her future. Their future.

Josh cleared his throat, and with his emotions cracking, hers crumbled altogether. “You’re my Polaris. My North Star. My everything. I’m completely and utterly in love with you. Will you marry me?”

Danae fell to her knees—they were going to give out on her anyway. Plus, this way she could throw her arms around Josh’s neck. “Yes,” she said as happy tears spilled down her cheeks. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Josh Wheeler.”

He pulled back enough to slip the ring on her finger, and she whispered I love you onto his lips as they sealed the proposal with a kiss.

The End

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the entire staff at Hallmark Publishing. To my editor, Stacey Donovan, for her boundless optimism and amazing edits. You’re an absolute joy to work with, not to mention you’ve made some of my biggest dreams come true. The members of my awesome small town think I’m famous after being on Home & Family, and everyone there made me feel like I was a star, even if not the best cook. LOL. Thanks to Eunice Shin, and all the other people at Hallmark who help get my book into readers’ hands.

The people who always sacrifice and support me the most as I write a book are my amazing family. To my husband and kids, thank you for being so supportive, even when I talk about my characters like they’re real people (because they are). Thanks for trying to keep up with the plotlines of several books at once. Thanks even more for all the help around the house and for making dinners and encouraging me to keep going, even on the hard days.

Shout out to my agent of awesomeness, Nicole Resciniti. You’re a rock star, and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for my career. Thank you for your guidance and perseverance and for comforting me when my world’s on fire. Xoxo.

To my two amazing besties, who also have to keep up with multiple plotlines. Gina L. Maxwell and Rebecca Yarros, thanks for the chats and the writing sprints, and for being my rocks when it