Page 19 of Mr. McBeefcake

By now I’m standing by her chair.

She covers a watery sob with her hands to her mouth.

I go down on one knee and pull the ring box out of my pants pocket. “Kathryn Foster, I have loved you in a variety of ways over the last several years. I foolishly let you slip through my fingers once, but luckily I learn from my mistakes. I don’t want to go one more moment in this life without having you by my side. As my best friend, my partner, and my wife.” I open the ring box. “Marry me?”

She nods and simultaneously cry-laughs. “I love you,” she says.

“I love you too, KitKat, so damn much.”

I slip the ring on her finger, and it’s a perfect fit. Then I stand and bring her with me, lifting her so our mouths can touch.

“I think I might buy your sister a new car or a new house for coordinating us being stranded together at the cabin.”

“A new car would be fabulous,” Kelli says from behind me. “Sadly, I think it’s time for a minivan, if this beast keeps knocking me up.”

“Kitten,” her husband, Wade, growls softly.

I’ll buy them a whole fleet of minivans as long as my girl keeps smiling up at me like that.

“Happy?” I ask.

“Very.”

“Glad I locked her down as my fiancé before she officially becomes my stepsister.” Everyone laughs. Then to just my girl, I ask, “How long do you think we have to stay here before I can take you home and let you ride my beard?”

Her eyes widen, and she smacks me on the arm. “I don’t think you’re as quiet as you think you are.”

“Definitely not,” Wade says.

“At least wait until the entree is served,” Kelli says.

Kathryn reaches up and cups my face. “I’ve always loved you, Donovan Jewel.”

You’re mine, Kit-Kat, you always have been.”