theglass 'diamond' had dulled. He reached for her hand and placed it in her palm. 'I gave you this ring when wewere in the sixth grade. If you'll have me, Daisy, I'll buy you a real one.'
Her mouth fell open. 'This is the ring I put in the time capsule.'
'Yeah. I dug it back up the other day. I have your diary too.' His fingers brushed the side of her throat. 'Marryme, Daisy Lee.'
She nodded. 'I love you with all my heart, Jack Parrish. I have always loved you, and I believe it is my fate tolove you forever.'
He let out a pent-up breath like there had been a doubt. He pulled her into a hug that lifted her off her feet.
'Thank you,' he said and pressed his smile to her lips.
The back door opened and Nathan stepped out. 'Mom, you have to come inside. Grandma-' He stopped whenhe realized what was going on.
Jack set Daisy on her feet and she turned to face her son. Jack wrapped his arms around her middle and pulledher back against his chest. Nathan looked from one to the other until his gaze stopped on Daisy.
'Your grandma is what?' Daisy asked.
'She's rambling on about people I don't know and don't give a crap about again,' he answered, distracted by thesight of the two of them. He raised his gaze to Jack. 'What's going on?'
'I asked your mother to marry me.'
Nathan stood perfectly still as he absorbed what that meant.
'I've loved your mother since the second grade when I looked across the playground and saw her standing therewith a stupid red hair bow.' Jack's fingers brushed her stomach as he spoke. 'I let her get away once. I'm notgoing to make that mistake again.' He pulled her lighter against his chest. 'I want the two of you to move hereand live with me.'
'To Levett?'
'Yeah. What do you think?'
Daisy didn't remember him asking her what she thought.
Nathan looked at both of them as he mulled over his options. 'Do I get the Shelby?'
For several long moments Daisy feared Jack would say yes. 'No, but you can have your mom's Caravan.'
'That's not funny!''Maybe we can work something out.'
Nathan smiled and nodded as he walked back into the house. 'Sweet,' he said.
Jack leaned down and whispered into her ear, 'Can we skip the potty party?'
'No.' She turned and wrapped her arms around him. Breathing in the smell of his shirt and of him. 'But wedon't have to stay long.'
She felt hint press a smile on the top of her head. 'Sweet.'
