Page 78 of Under the Radar
43
10 Days Later
“Ican smell the ocean, Mac. Are we almost there?”
“Just about,” he chuckled. “Don’t peek, cupcake. I know it’s tempting.” Mac turned slightly on the path and nodded at the brigade of people he’d hired for this special evening. His loafers crunched on the sandy boardwalk that led up and over the dunes.
“You know how much I don’t like being blindfolded and carried, right?”
“I do. But you only need to suck it up for a couple more minutes, honey.”
Mo murmured into his neck. “Something smells delicious, Commander. I love it when you plan dinner.” She inhaled deeply and rested her head on his shoulder. “You’ve been carrying me for quite a distance and you’re not even breathing hard.”
Ha! If all went according to his plan, he’d be breathing hard later tonight. “I’ve carried supply packs that were heavier than you, Mo.”
She snickered. “Yeah, right.”
“I’m serious.” He strode to the top of the dunes and breathed in the view. His crew had done exactly what he’d requested. The formal table was draped in white with sparkling crystal goblets, and flowers waved in the gentle evening breeze. He looked right and left, the beach and dunes flickered with hundreds of flameless candles.
And wow. He’d tip them bigtime. They’d actually found a double hammock and decorated it with aqua and blue pillows and a huge fleece throw.
“Go ahead and kick your heels off, Mo.”
“What? They’re brand new. I’m not just tossing them on the ground.”
He chuffed a laugh. “Believe me when I say, take them off now. It’s their last chance of survival.”
“Oh, my goodness,” she wriggled in his arms. “Where are we?” Her polka-dot Jimmy Choo heels dropped one at a time onto the boards.
“Bear with me one more minute, and I’ll take the blindfold off.” He stepped into the sand, jogged to the marker flag he’d placed earlier in the day, and faced toward the surf. Slowly, he slid her down to rest on her feet in front of him.
“Ooh, sand. Cool and refreshing. What are you up to, Commander?”
Mac kissed her cheek, untied the blindfold, and wrapped his arms around her. “Look out there, beautiful,” he said, pointing.
The first firework went off without a hitch. Then the second, and the third, and dozens more. All three ships shot off a dazzling celestial display for several minutes.
Mo pulled his arms tighter around her and kissed his bicep. “You’re amazing! It’s exquisite. I suppose you’re going to tell me what we’re celebrating?”
“You’ll see. Don’t miss the finale. Any second now.” His heart hammered in his chest, and he oddly wished he knew how to do cartwheels on the sand.
The drone display beyond the ships morphed from clear to multicolored lights, finally unveiling its message in bright red against the dark night sky.
Marry me, Mo?
The words hung in the starry abyss, full of promises he couldn’t wait to fulfill. He slipped to one knee.
“Wh…what?” Mo’s hands flew to her face as she spun toward him. She bounced up and down on her toes as tears trickled down her cheeks. “Are you sure? Really sure? You’ve already seen that life with me is far from perfect.”
He took her hands in his. “Please, do me the honor of being my wife, Maureen. I love you. I’d do anything for you. I want the suburbs and the soccer field and the warm showers. I want however many children we can handle. I want whatever life throws at us, as long as we’re together. You make me a complete, better person. We’re right and so good for each other.”
“Yes,” Mo screamed, launching herself into his arms, dragging them both down to the sand. “Oh, yes. Ask me again, so I remember you saying the words.”
Mac pulled her close and whispered against her lips. “Please, marry me, Maureen. I love you with every part of my soul.” Eye to eye, they rolled over and over on the beach, kissing and laughing. Sensing how close they were to the surf line, Mac scrambled, pulling her up with him just as the water licked at his feet. He shoved his hand in his right pocket. Whew. It was still there. He took her hand and angled it toward the amber glow from a tiki torch.
“I could have bought you any ring, and I still can if you’d prefer a different setting. But you’re a sentimental woman, and I treasure that about you, honey. The diamonds belonged to both of my grandmothers.” He slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly and looked stunning on her finger.
Mo gasped at the gems glinting in the light. She swiped tears from her face. “Oh, there are no words, Mac,” she murmured. “I love it. It’s magnificent. I love you. What is that blue stone in the middle?”