Page 108 of Dark ’N’ Deadly

After filling out the requisite paperwork at the Haven, they’d flipped down the rear seats of the Tahoe to give the dogs more room, then said their goodbyes to Jesse and driven off. The closer they got to Flemington, the faster he tapped his fingers and the more he fidgeted with the radio stations. Luckily, Tess didn’t seem to notice, what with being thoroughly smitten by Rosie, who kept trying to climb over the front seat to sit in her lap.

Finally, he parked in front of the old Victorian on the corner and let out a nervous breath.

“What are we doing here?” Tess gave him a quizzical look.

“C’mon.” He opened his door. “Let’s get the dogs.”

“Ookay.”

His palms were sweating, and his heart raced. He and Tess had gotten closer over the last six months, but there was always the chance he was wrong about where things were going. His gut told him he was on track, but he wouldn’t be the first guy on the planet to get it wrong.

He came around to her side of the Tahoe and helped her leash up Tiger and Rosie.

Tess had been through a lot since shooting her stepfather, and he couldn’t shake the niggling feeling in the pit of his stomach that it was too soon for what he had planned.

“That’s so sad.” She looked at the empty store with the Sold sign on the window. “I loved this place. It was my favorite shop in the whole town. The woman who owned it said she didn’t know what the new owner had planned for it.”

“Yeah. Sad.” The forlorn expression on her face should have made him feel bad. It didn’t. Oh, yeah. I definitely got this one right.

“What are you grinning at?” She twisted her lips into the smile he’d come to adore.

“You. I can’t help it.” His smile widened and his heart slammed against his ribs, but this time… It’s all good.

“Let’s go.” He clasped her hand, leading her and the dogs to the front door of the shop.

“What are we doing?” she asked as he pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. The antique bells jangled as he pushed it open. “Why do you have a key for this place?”

Ignoring her questions, he shut the door behind them then unhooked the dogs’ leashes. Tiger and Rosie’s nails clicked on the old wooden floor as they began meandering down the aisle.

“Eric?” Her eyes were wide and questioning. “Did we just break in here? I know you’re a federal agent, but the new owner can have us charged with trespassing.”

“Trust me. She won’t.” He handed her the key. “You’re the new owner.”

“What?” Her mouth fell open and stayed that way, and damned if she didn’t look even more adorable, all dumbfounded and speechless for the first time since he’d known her.

“I bought it.” He took her hands in his. “For you.”

“For me?” She began shaking her head, clearly not catching on. “I-I don’t understand. Why?”

“Why?” He laughed. “Because, I love you. I love you so much I can’t wait to fall asleep with you in my arms every night and wake up every morning the same way. I look forward to coming home and seeing you dancing in the kitchen or doing your crazy yoga thing. I love everything about you, and I want to make you happy.” He swept his arm out, encompassing the empty store. “Does this make you happy?”

“No,” she whispered.

“No?” Now, his eyes went wide. “No?” he repeated. How did I get this wrong?

“No,” she repeated, more firmly this time. “You make me happy. But this”—her eyes took in the shop—“is amazing. I can’t believe you did this. I’m a shop owner! Oh, Eric. Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you.” She threw her arms around his neck and began kissing every square inch of his face, making him laugh.

The dogs came running to see what the commotion was about, circling them and barking.

“I can’t believe you did this.” She gazed up at him and he fell in love all over again.

“I’d do anything for you.” He set her on her feet, then grabbed her hand and led her to the cashier’s counter. “There’s a little office upstairs and a small yard out back for Rosie, so she can be with you during the day. You can sell anything you like in here. Candles, scarves, incense, yoga mats…pink thongs.” He waggled his eyebrows. “The previous owner had already sold most of her stock by the time we closed on the place, but I managed to snag one thing.” He pointed to the yellow-and-cream Stangl sugar bowl he’d left on the counter.

“Oh! The blueberry pattern. I love it!” She cradled the sugar bowl in her hands, gazing at it like it was a pot of gold.

“Open it.” He watched every nuance of her face for reaction. The waiting was killing him. The only thing keeping him grounded was Tiger, who’d come to stand beside him in a show of support. Rosie stood by Tess, looking up at her with adoration.

Carefully, she lifted the lid then reached inside and gasped.

It’s now or never, Miller.

He got down on one knee. Rosie moved to his other side, adding her moral support to the mix.

“Tess.” The emotion welling up inside him clogged his throat to the point where he could barely speak. “Will you marry me?” He held his breath.

Tears filled her eyes. A second ticked by without her answering, then another and another, making his heart tighten painfully. She nodded, slowly at first, then more emphatically. “Yes. I’ll marry you. Of course, I’ll marry you.”

He blew out a shaky breath then rose to take the sugar bowl from her trembling hands and set it back on the counter. His own hands were shaking as he plucked the ring from her fingers and slid it on her left hand. A marquis diamond flanked by two pieces of rose quartz he’d had specially cut into gemstones.

“A diamond, for strength and courage.” He kissed her hand. “Rose quartz. For positive energy and unconditional love.”

“You remembered,” she whispered.

“Of course I did.” He tipped up her chin and gave her the slowest, sweetest kiss, vowing to make her happy for the rest of his life. How could I not?

They were interconnected. Seemingly contrary forces, yet complementary and forever inseparable.

She was, in every way, the yin to his yang.