“Recognize this spot?” I lift a brow, the pressure on my chest settling deeper. Her memory is an important factor at this moment. To any bystander, this strip of highway is nothing more than a basic road splitting the rolling prairie in half. Wyoming wilderness at its finest.
A smile spreads across her lips. “How could I ever forget the place where we met?”
“That’s what I want to hear.” I lean across the console, threading our fingers together. “What else?”
With a nibble to her bottom lip, she humors my request. “My knight in chrome armor rescued me with his impressive tire-changing skills.”
A groan rises off my chest. “Yeah, Kee. And do you know what today is?”
Her patience with me wanes with a thick huff. “Um, Tuesday?”
“Exactly four months later.” I nuzzle her nose with mine. “I figure what better way to celebrate than having a re-do.”
“You’ve lost me.” She drops a peck on my lips before pulling back.
“I’m gonna teach you how to change a tire.”
“But it isn’t flat.”
“Doesn’t have to be for practice.” I glide a palm up her silky thigh. The smooth skin is bare and mine for endless enjoyment. Thank you, late summer.
Keegan flicks her gaze outside. “Can’t we do this in the garage?”
“Then we lose the sentimental value. Where’s the fun in that?”
Her narrowed eyes swing back to mine. “Your idea of a good time is concerning.”
“Not what you said last night.” I let my eyebrows wag.
Keegan shoots a look toward Millie, who hasn’t released so much as a peep. “Seriously, Ford?”
I grip her knee, stroking more satin temptation. “Some habits are much harder to break than others.”
“For the sake of my daughter’s innocent mind, please put more effort in being clean.”
I lean forward until only an inch separates our lips. “But I like getting you—”
She presses a finger over my mouth. “No.”
I nip at her and she pulls away. “You didn’t even know what I was gonna say.”
“It wasn’t anything appropriate, I’m sure.”
I squint out the windshield, trying to come up with an alternative to prove her wrong. My mind is too busy doing a backstroke in the gutter. “Yeah, you’re right.”
Keegan is quiet for a moment, and I wonder if her thoughts are swimming in the filthy depths with mine. “Are you really going to make me change a tire?”
“It’s a vital skill to learn.”
“Don’t you like coming to my rescue?” She bats her long eyelashes at me.
“I love being your hero, Kee. But this is important to me.”
I give her a responsible-male-adult look. “Millie and I will be your assistants.” I pop open my door and motion for the little girl to exit on the passenger side. “I’ll grab the tools.”
With a languid stretch, Keegan unfolds from the confining front seat. “Okay, fine. I’m doing this in the name of independent women.”
“That’s the spirit.” I jam wheel wedges under the rear tires.
Both girls stand close to watch. Millie squats and points at the orange block. “What’re those for?”
“They stop the car from rolling backward. Right, Kee?” I feel the corners of my eyes crinkle with a smile aimed at her.
She nods while waving a hand at me. “Yeah, of course.”
I get the front set locked in and beckon her forward. “We’ll use the right side since it’s not facing the road. Safety first.”
“This also happens to be the one that blew on my old car,” Keegan points out.
I snap my fingers. “See? You’re buying into this.”
She flattens her lips. “Something like that.”
I don’t allow her less-than-enthusiastic attitude to dissuade me. “Use this wrench to loosen the lug nuts.”
“Um, okay.” Keegan crouches beside me and grabs the tool.
I let her huff and struggle for all of ten seconds before stepping in. While covering her hand with mine, I guide our movements until the first bolt drops to the gravel. We repeat the motions for the remaining four and opportunity begins knocking. Booming crashes in my ears as I release my hold on her.
“Can you get the jack?” I nod toward the collapsed metal a few feet to her left.
Keegan stands and brushes off her palms. With a slight breeze, the skirt of her dress billows like a signaling flag. The current position we’re in makes this the optimal proposal setup. Do I dare? She’s my girlfriend, and we’re committed, but the need to get my ring on her finger is bordering on desperate. Call me barbaric or possessive—I’ll be quick to agree with you.
Similar to twenty minutes ago, resolve settles deep into my bones. This is the moment. I’m already conveniently down on one knee, crouching in front of her. The velvet box is ready to burn a hole in my pocket. That small square might as well weigh a ton as I dig it out. Keegan catches sight of the baby blue object, her gasp zinging between us.
“Oh my gosh. What’re you doing?” She slaps a palm over her gaping mouth.
I ignore the rhetorical question, reaching for her left hand. “You mean everything to me, Kee.”
That’s all I manage to spit out before she’s blubbering, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. I squeeze her fingers, pressing gentle kisses to each one. “I love you so much, babe. Between fighting against you and myself, I fell so damn fast and hard. And I wouldn’t take a moment back, because it led me here, to this moment with you and Millie.”
Her muffled sob breaks apart my words. She’s trembling in my grip and appears to be barely hanging on. I gulp at the tightness in my throat, pushing forward through the strain. “Because of you, I’m no longer alone. You fill my days with vibrant laughter and happiness that can never be replaced. It would be my greatest honor to spend forever by your side. I can only hope you’ll grant me the privilege of walking this life with me.” I snap open the lid, showing off the solitaire diamond encrusted with emeralds. “Will you marry
