Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21) Read online

  “I had a little help,” Jake replied, dropping the picnic basket outside of the heart before leading Ally into the middle of it. “I didn’t want to risk a forest fire, no matter how much I love you.”

  “But … .” Ally wet her lips, confused. “What is this?”

  Jake didn’t answer with his mouth, instead dropping to one knee and producing a velvet box from his pocket. Ally’s heart wasn’t the only one beating a mile a minute. Ally realized what he was doing before he had a chance to utter a word.

  “You don’t have to do this because of Vince,” she said. “You can wait until you’re ready.”

  “I am ready,” Jake said, fighting off tears. “I’ve been ready for a long time. I needed help getting the details right, and I really hope you like this because I had to take Mandy shopping to make sure I got the right one.” Jake flipped open the box and caused Ally’s heart to flutter. It was the most beautiful ring she’d ever laid eyes on. It reminded her of one she saw in a catalog as a young girl and instantly fell in love with.

  “Mandy remembered.”

  Jake nodded.

  “She was trying to tell me without telling me,” Ally said, a tear sliding down her cheek. “She told me you loved me and I would get everything I ever wanted if I was patient.”

  “Is this what you want?”

  “I want you,” Ally replied. “Patience has never been one of my virtues, but you’re great at it. Maybe it will rub off on me.”

  “Oh, angel, you don’t need anything to rub off on you,” Jake said. “You’re perfect.”

  Ally sniffled as her head bobbed up and down. “Well, are you going to ask me or just sit there and watch me cry?”

  “I’m going to ask you,” Jake said, taking a deep breath. “Ally Hardy, I didn’t know love was possible for me until I met you. I didn’t believe in fate or soul mates, but you changed all of that. You made me believe in myself and opened my heart.

  “Whenever I look at you I see the sun,” he continued. “I see my future and my forever. I will never want anyone but you. I promise to love you with my whole heart as long as we’re together in this life … and also when we’re together in the next. Will you marry me?”

  Her moment was here and yet Ally couldn’t find the words to answer. Instead she dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Jake’s neck, their mouths finding each other as love washed over them.

  Jake never broke the kiss as he slipped the ring on Ally’s finger, his arms engulfing her as he pressed her to his chest and welcomed her into his heart. Forever.

  “I can’t wait to marry you,” Ally blubbered.

  “That makes two of us,” Jake whispered. “I love you, Ally.”

  “I love you.”

  The couple resumed kissing, busy hands roaming as they clung to each other.

  And in the bushes, James worked overtime to drag his crying wife away from the scene before things got more … horizontal.

  “Come on, baby. This is their private time. I allowed you to stay for the proposal even though I didn’t think it was a good idea.”

  Mandy momentarily fought his efforts, her eyes glazed from the hundreds of candles and wonderful moment. “Happily ever after.”

  “For all of us,” James said, pulling her to him. “Now come on. I’ve got a proposal for you when we get home.”

  “Does it involve nudity?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Can we have ice cream, too?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Mandy smiled. “Then this is the best happily ever after known to man.”

  “It always will be, baby. I promise you that.”

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  Acknowledgments

  I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.

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  This book is available for lending. Please do so.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

  Books by Lily Harper Hart

  Hardy Brothers Security

  Deadly Intentions

  Deadly Intuition

  Deadly Illusions

  Deadly Proposal

  Deadly Prospects

  Deadly Ever After

  Deadly Honeymoon

  Deadly Questions

  Deadly Addition

  Deadly Vacation

  Deadly Secrets

  Deadly Storm

  Deadly Dealings

  Deadly Christmas

  Deadly Desperados

  Deadly Arrival

  Deadly Rivalry

  Deadly Memories

  Deadly Adventure

  Deadly Reunion

  A Maddie Graves Mystery

  Grave Homecoming

  Grave Insight

  Grave Delight

  Grave Misgivings

  Grave Concerns

  Grave Discovery

  Grave Decisions

  An Ivy Morgan Mystery

  Wicked Days

  Wicked Dreams

  Wicked Times

  Wicked Places

  Wicked Warning

  A Harper Harlow Mystery

  Ghostly Interests

  Ghostly Issues

  Ghostly Deceits

  Ghostly Worries