Loving Enough (The Enough Series Book 2) Page 22

  “I’m going to check,” I say as I walk towards the patio door.

  “Okay. I’m just going to clean some of this up and I’ll meet you out there.”

  I step out of the back doors to find the entire yard empty. Confused, I turn to go back in the house when Ryker comes running up.

  “Rylee, Rylee,” he sing-songs.

  “Hey buddy, what’s going on? I was just looking for your dad.”

  “I know where he is, but I can’t tell you. Come with me for your big surprise.”

  “What big surprise?” I look around and find Bella holding back an enormous smile.

  “Come on and I will show you. It will be the best surprise ever,” Ryker says, pulling me towards the house. I look back in question to Bella, who now has tears in her eyes.

  “Go, Ry,” is all she says.

  Chapter 53

  Rylee

  Following Ryker, I walk through the house and out of the front door to see the driveway lined with small votive candles in red holders. The beauty of the candles is heightened by the darkening sky, with the sunset to my back.

  Ryker looks up at me with wonder and excitement on his face.

  “Follow the trail and you will see.”

  With a quick hug, Ryker takes off and I follow the mysterious glow of candlelight in our driveway. Just before I hit the street, I find Eric standing next to the line of light with a single yellow rose in his hand. Before I can ask him what is going on, he explains.

  “Rylee, you are the most amazing woman I know. We have known each other for a long time and I am proud to think of you not only as my friend, but also as my sister.”

  His words speak to my heart and I swallow back the tears that are threatening. He hands me the rose with a shy smile.

  “What’s going on, Eric?”

  A slight shake of his head tells me he won’t spill, but he continues. “Ry, we have been through a lot this year. You supported me when I needed it the most and pushed when I resisted. I am here tonight to support you. I love you, Ry.”

  “Support me in what?”

  He pulls me into a big hug before guiding me onto the sidewalk to follow the candles. From here, I can see that the lights lead towards the beach.

  “Don’t question it, just go and you will find out,” he whispers before turning back.

  I take uneasy steps down the sidewalk with a bundle of questions crossing my mind. About a hundred yards down, I find Bode standing along the row of illumination with a single pink rose.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he says with a smile before taking my hands in his. “It has been a hell of a year so far.” He pauses with a chuckle. “You astound me with your strength and compassion daily. We have been friends, and we have been more, but there has never been a day I didn’t love you in some capacity. Ry, I am so happy for you and the journey you are on.”

  “Bode,” I can’t say anything more as the emotion wells in my throat.

  Tears prick my eyes as he hugs me tight and hands me the rose.

  “I love you,” I whisper into the night as he sends me on my way.

  I don’t know what the final destination is, but my heart is overflowing with love already. My pace increases, wondering what my next stop will be.

  J is standing a few steps from stairs that lead down to the beach. He holds a single white rose in his hand and has a smile across his face. I stop next to him as shy smile glosses my lips.

  “J. Will you tell me what this is all about?” My voice is timid and full of emotion.

  “Rylee Ash, my most amazing sister. I have never known a life without you by my side. We were born brother and sister, but found our way to the strongest friendship I will ever know. You are my hero in so many ways and I am incredibly proud of you. As you get ready to take the next steps in life, I want you to know that no matter where they lead, I will stay close by. I love you, Ry.”

  The sweet smell of the roses in my hand waft through the air, mixing with the salty breeze from the ocean. My tears break the barrier and trickle down my cheeks as I squeeze my big brother. Stepping back from him, I wipe below my eyes and hope that the small amount of makeup I am wearing is not running down my face.

  Reluctantly I allow him to walk me to the top of the stairs, where I see Austin standing on the beach surrounded by Tiki torches in the shape of a heart.

  I glance back in shock at J, who mouths, “You’re ready.”

  Taking the final steps down to the beach, I find Ryker at the bottom of the stairs. He hands me a red rose, takes my hand, and looks up at me with the sweetest smile I have ever seen. It looks an awful lot like one his daddy uses to get his way.

  “Rylee, I am so glad you chose my dad, because that means I get you too. You are the best, Rylee. I love you.” His sweet compassion and childlike innocence shine through his heartfelt words.

  I crouch down to his level before kissing his cheek. “I love you, too, Ryker and I am glad he picked me, too.”

  I pull him into a hug before he takes my hand and guides me to the entrance of the heart of torches. When Austin clasps my hands, he gives the roses to Ryker, who scampers back up the stairs to stand with J and the rest of my family.

  Austin looks unbelievably sexy with the waves rolling in behind him, only illuminated by the glow of the torches. He has on a white button-down shirt and khaki shorts with leather flip-flops. His hair is gently flowing in the breeze and his eyes are the deepest blue I have ever seen. He is the most mesmerizing sight I have ever seen. I could stare at him in this moment forever.

  My simple yellow sundress sways in the breeze as he squeezes my hands and pulls me into the heart of fire. My heart is beating wildly, since he takes his time before speaking. He tilts his head, looking at me with a shy smile that sets butterflies loose in my belly. If I could freeze a look to remember forever, that is the one. The flames of the torches reflect in his eyes, mirroring my feelings for him. My hands are unsteady as I wait to see why he brought me out here.

  He looks deep into my eyes and brushes a wayward piece of my long, blonde hair behind my ear.

  “Hi,” he says with a quiet nervousness.

  “Hi, yourself.” My voice is barely above a whisper.

  He cradles my face, placing a chaste kiss to my lips before continuing.

  “Before I could tell you how important you are to me and how much I love you, I wanted you to hear it from everyone who loves you. You make the lives of everyone you meet better. Rylee, you crashed into my life and turned it upside down without even trying. You are the most amazing, talented, and beautiful woman I have ever met. You make me happier than I ever knew it was possible to be.”

  He pauses to take a breath and assess my reaction, which is one of surprise and overwhelming love. Shifting his weight and squeezing my hands, he continues.

  “Rylee, I start my days and end my days with you. You make every day of my life memorable by being beside me. I love you with everything I am.” He stops to bend down on one knee as I realize what this is all about. Happy tears roll quietly down my face as he looks up at me. “Rylee, you are everything I have ever dreamed of and more. Will you do me the incredible honor of walking through life with me? Baby, will you marry me?”

  I am stunned speechless when he opens the box to reveal an engagement ring. The princess cut diamond in the center is surrounded by tiny black diamonds that cover the band. Looking into his eyes, I know I have found my forever.

  “Yes, Austin, I will marry you.”

  He stands up before sliding the ring on my finger and pulling me in for a heart-stopping kiss. My arms wrap tightly around him. I never want to forget the feeling of all consuming happiness I feel.

  Cheers erupt when he spins me in his arms and yells to the top of the hill.

  “She said yes!”

  The end of his sentence brings the rest of our family and friends down to the beach. Hugs and handshakes dominate the space before the guys spread the torches out to form a solitary line behind us. The tor
ches represent our family and friends—they surround us when we need it and stand behind us when necessary.

  Amid the congratulations, J pulls me to the side. “You happy, sis?”

  My big brother, always the protector. “Yes, J. I have never been happier.”

  “Good. If he ever fucks that up, you let me know,” he says with seriousness to his voice.

  “I will, J, but I don’t think he will.”

  I look up to catch Austin’s gaze trained on me. Nothing makes me feel more amazing than to see the way he looks at me. Love and adoration are always present and remind me how much I love him.

  Austin crosses the sand as J leans down, kissing the top of my head. “I don’t think he will either. How about I get all these people out of here and leave you with your fiancé?”

  J reaches out to shake Austin’s hand before pulling him into one of those bro hugs. I hear his muffled voice.

  “Congrats, man, but remember what I said.”

  As their embrace ends, Austin nods his head to J. “I promise you have nothing to worry about.”

  J glances back. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  After everyone takes my brother’s lead, Austin and I are alone on the beach. We are sitting in the sand, listening to the waves roll in. I am leaning against Austin’s chest with his body surrounding mine. Our fingers intertwined, I bring them to my lips and place a kiss on the underside of his wrist.

  Nestled in his arms, surrounded by love and with a lifetime to look forward to, I realize love is enough.

  The End

  Thank You!

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  Acknowledgements

  Thank you to everyone in my life that has supported this crazy journey. You each make me a better author, wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Without you, none of this would be possible.