Page 155 of The Strength Of A Woman

I paw at it.

“First, I need to formally ask the question.”

“Okay. Ask the question,” I say, trying to keep my impatience in check.

“Sweet Leilani, heavenly flower, will you be my faithful, loving wife till death do us part?”

I laugh quietly.

“Have you tweaked the wording a little?”

“Not in the slightest.”

I wrap an arm around his neck and make him tilt his face to me so I can kiss him.

“Will you be my faithful, loving husband till death do us part? "

He looks at me seriously and kisses my lips.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Gently, he strokes my cheek with his thumb.

“Me neither.”

I wince as he touches the area where she hit me.

“Hopefully I’ll look good in pictures.”

“With some extra makeup,” he comments. “You will.”

He kisses me again.

“Can I see it now?” I ask, flicking my chin toward the ring.

“One more thing,” he says, pressing it to his chest, so I don’t have access to it yet.

“I need a name before we close this chapter forever and never think about the past again.”

I turn to stone, knowing exactly what he’s asking of me.

“Why?”

“I won’t rest until I settle that.”

“You don’t have to do anything.”

“You won’t hear of me doing anything.”

“I don’t want any revenge.”

“I didn’t say I’d avenge you. I just need to know. Who was the man who harassed you in your parents’ home?”

Long moments of silence flow through the century-old church.

“It was my father,” I say, struggling with the tension in my chest.

He watches me for a few seconds before he lowers his lips to me, a faint smile on his face.