A few months later
HARPER GLANCED AT the clock for approximately the seven hundredth time. Five more minutes. Kyle had said he’d pick her up at three and she knew very well that he was never late. Just one of the many things she loved about him. Dating the man she loved was a lot more fun than she’d ever imagined. Kyle had insisted they needed a restart. He wanted time to prove that she could trust him, that he was willing to put her first. Harper had assured him it wasn’t necessary, but he’d been adamant. Ultimately, she’d agreed. The last thing she wanted to do was make him feel rushed.
Three months into their courtship, and she was having the time of her life. Kyle was romantic and creative in the activities he planned for them. But it didn’t matter to her whether they were climbing mountains or strolling hand in hand on the beach. As long as they were together, every minute felt like a perfect adventure. Although, admittedly, she’d liked some outings better than others. The camping trip she’d adored, the deep-sea diving, aka posing as shark bait, not so much. But she’d promised him she’d try anything once and Kyle seemed determined to take that literally. Their flexible schedules helped.
Kyle hadn’t signed the contract with Dahlia. After coming forward and helping the FBI sort through Owen’s ledgers and notes, he’d announced that he had different plans. Unbeknownst to her, Jay had given him the idea to start his own security consulting business.
Frasier Security offered everything from basic alarm system installation and top-of-the-line video surveillance to personal safety consultations. No surprise, he enjoyed being able to help people while sharing his knowledge and skills. Thanks in part to Jay’s contacts in the construction business, he was already booked out for months. The job entailed some traveling. Harper often went with him, incorporating photography stops along the way. But yesterday, he’d left early and was gone all day. He hadn’t returned until she was already in bed and then he’d worked on a job all day today. Secretly she hoped there wouldn’t be a lot of days like that in their future.
He’d texted this morning and told her to dress comfortable and casual and be prepared for adventure. Harper was tying her sneakers when the doorbell rang. Habit had her picking up her phone to check the security app where she discovered Santa Claus standing on her porch. He was holding a bouquet of flowers.
Laughter bubbled up inside of her. She tapped the button to activate the intercom. “Go away, Bad Santa. I’m on to you. No one wants your lousy gifts around here.”
Of course, “Santa” knew the exact location of the camera lens. Grinning, he put his face right in front of it, real close so his nose looked distorted. “Hey, you used the app when you were expecting someone. This is a very proud moment for me.”
“Well, I’ve been living under the enthusiastically watchful eye of this security expert guy, and he gets a little testy if I’m not hypervigilant.”
“Hmm. He sounds awesome. You’re lucky. He must care about you a lot.”
“I am pretty lucky.”
“Can I come in now?”
“What’s the password?”
“I love you, Harper.”
“That’s close enough.” Harper unlocked and opened the door. Kyle came in and locked it again behind him. He handed her the flowers, then peeled off his suit to reveal jeans and a T-shirt. Annie trotted over and stepped on his shoe. He picked up the cat and cuddled her close while Harper admired the colorful mix of flowers.
“Thank you. These are gorgeous.”
“I realized today that I’ve never asked your favorite flower.”
She thought for a second. “I don’t think I have one. When it comes to flowers, I’m all-inclusive.”
Kyle leaned over and kissed her. “That’s going to make my job easier going forward.”
He followed her into the kitchen where she retrieved a vase for the bouquet. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“Out for sushi,” he joked.
“So should I call in a burger order to Tabbie’s right now?”
Chuckling, he put Annie down. She pounced on her ball and wrestled it to the ground. “I was thinking we’d go bungee jumping and zip-lining.”
“Really? ’Cuz I’ve heard that’s more of a first-date type of thing.”
“Funny,” he said drily, but she could tell he wanted to laugh.
“Here. You should open this.” From his pocket he produced a small square box, which he handed to her.
Despite her now-racing heart, she joked, “Um, Santa, this box is too small to be a wide-angle lens.”
Kyle grinned. “Maybe it’s a really tiny lens.”
Harper laughed.
“Open it.”
Nodding, she opened the box. She let out a gasp, recognizing the contents instantly. A simple platinum diamond-studded band lay sparkling inside.
“This was my mom’s.”
“It was. Your dad gave it to me. The reason I left yesterday was so I could meet him in Seattle. I had no idea how to ask a billionaire genius for permission to marry his daughter. When I got there, I realized I’ve never really cared about money until that moment. I’ve never thought of you as the daughter of a billionaire, as an heiress. To me, you are the kindest, smartest, most talented, beautiful and amazing person on the planet. But I went ahead with it anyway… I told him that I have nothing but my love to offer you. But that I will cherish you and do my best to take care of you and keep you safe.”
“Kyle, that’s perfect.”
“I thought so, too,” he joked. “The problem was that it didn’t sound that great to me when I delivered it. I wanted to get up and leave and tell him I’d come back when I had more to offer.” Kyle took her hand. “But you know what he said?”
Harper shook her head, but she didn’t speak. Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them away. She didn’t want to cry in the happiest moment of her life.
“Time. He said all I needed to receive his blessing was to give you my time. To promise that I’d always be there for you, to choose you over everything and everyone else.” Harper could see the tears gathering in Kyle’s brown eyes along with the love she knew he felt for her. “Do you know how easy that was for me, Harper? To promise that, when you already own my heart, when all I want to do is be with you, and keep you close to me forever?”
Swallowing the emotion clogging her throat, she managed to say, “I think I have an idea.”
“And I will, Harper. If you agree to marry me, I will do that, and I’ll cherish every second that we have together. So, will you marry me?”
“Yes, Kyle. Of course, I’ll marry you. I can’t wait.” One step and she was in his arms for a kiss made all the sweeter knowing she would soon be his wife. With her mouth still close to his, she whispered, “Nothing will make me happier than to help you keep that promise.”
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