“As excited as I am to have a front row seat to seeing his business crash and burn, I’m more excited to get this fucking knee back in shape so I can give him the beating he fully deserves,” Brett had told us. He still had a few weeks left in the cast so for the time being Reid wasn’t too concerned with him doing something he might regret. One thing was for sure, I didn’t want to be around if and when Brett Sallinger ever got a hold of Beau.
Reid and I spent the next few days at his parents’, helping them move their things in that arrived on a truck from Texas. My family came out for a dinner and it was like no time had passed at all—our mothers gushing about how happy they were for us. Our dads talking about hunting and racing seasons.
Georgia and Brett stopped by, but I could tell they wanted to be alone. The heated looks the two of them were exchanging either meant they wanted to kill or kiss each other. I didn’t ask. My sister’s life was her own and I knew that she was smart when it came to her heart. I’d have plenty of time to catch up with her later. We had a few weeks in Halstead before we had to return to Texas for Reid’s winter training. I hadn’t officially resigned from my job at Hillcrest Realty, but I had a feeling that if I wanted to, Reid would support my decision.
After seeing the pictures I’d taken of Reid while he was on the track, Throttled Energy had offered me a job as the publicity photographer. Maybe I could have a career as a sports photographer after all. Though he was kind of a special subject. One I loved and planned to spend the rest of my life with. Made taking flattering photographs of him pretty easy.
As I waved goodbye to my sister and Brett from the driveway, I felt Reid’s arms wrap around my waist as the sun set on another day together.
“My new bike came in today,” he said resting his chin on my shoulder.
“That was fast,” I replied, letting myself melt in his arms.
“It’s all in who you know,” he laughed. “I’m kind of a big deal.”
“Really?” I teased. “Never heard of you.”
“Mm-hmm.” He said, turning me in his arms and grinning down at me like he was fully prepared to show me who he was. “Keep telling yourself that.” He pressed his lips against mine quickly. “You want to see the new bike?”
“Of course.” I knew how excited he got over two wheels and a motor. Far be it from me to deny him the chance to show off his new toy. “Got a name picked out for this one?” I asked as I followed him to the bike trailer. His hand squeezed mine and I thought I felt him shaking. He must have been over excited about this new bike. The trailer was all shut up like he was scared someone was going to steal her. He had good reason, I guess.
“I’m still thinking on it,” he said, stopping us in front of the trailer door. He turned to me and quickly pressed another kiss to my lips. “Close your eyes.”
“Not this again,” I said with chuckle. When I saw that he was being serious, I closed my eyes with a sigh. “Fine.”
“Good girl.” He murmured, kissing my forehead as he released my hand. “Now wait here.”
“I’ve seen a dirt bike before, Reid,” I said, my eyes still squeezed shut. “What’s the big deal about this one?”
“Would you just give me a second?” I heard him say over the sound of the trailer door lowering. “Haven’t you ever heard that patience is a virtue?” He laughed. “Or something like that.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I sighed. “Can I open my eyes yet?” I asked.
“Yep.”
I fully expected to see a dirt bike made out of twenty-four karat gold and drenched in precious jewels from the way he had been going on about it, but what I found when I opened my eyes was a single solitary diamond set in a platinum band being held up to me by Reid Travers. Down on one knee. Looking more amazing than I’d ever seen him.