Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Your dad got a new plane?” Paxton asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah. He bought it about a year ago. It seats six.”
Looking over at me, Paxton wore a nervous expression, wringing her hands in her lap.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I think so. You’re sure you know how to fly it?”
I reached for her hand. “I wouldn’t take you up in this plane if I wasn’t sure I could fly it. I’ve flown bigger planes before.”
Her brows lifted. “Really? That’s kind of hot.”
Drawing my head back, I stared at her. “That turns you on?”
She nodded and chewed her bottom lip.
“Well, let’s see how you feel after we land,” I said.
Nervously giggling, she nodded.
Jumping out of the truck, I waved to Rob as I jogged around to open Paxton’s door. With her hand in mine, we headed to the plane. I hadn’t been the least bit nervous taking her up, but now anxiety swirled in the pit of my stomach.
I had to admit this was amazing. My hands still shook a bit, but Steed really did know what he was doing. We flew around, and he pointed out different places.
“Everything looks so different from up here!” I said into the microphone that hung from the giant headphones I wore.
“It really does. It’s amazing. I want to take you up during sunset. It’s beautiful.”
I smiled, loving the excitement in Steed’s voice. He really enjoyed this, and I loved being a part of it. “I’d love that. Would you take Chloe up too?”
“Hell yeah! She’s already seen the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean numerous times.”
The urge to ask him if Kim ever went up gnawed at the back of my mind. I wasn’t sure why; I hardly ever thought of that dreadful woman.
My internal battle with the question volleyed back and forth before I finally caved. “Did Kim ever go up with y’all?”
He laughed. “Hell no. She was never interested, and I never invited her.”
A small part of me fist pumped internally. “Is that your parents’ place?” I asked.
“Yep. I’ll fly over the guest house.”
“When are you going to stop calling it that?” I asked with a chuckle. “It’s your house now.”
“Yeah, I know. It feels weird living there, though. I’ve talked to my parents about paying something for living there. At first they said no, but finally came around when I said I would move into town. I never would…but they don’t know that. Damn place is huge though.”
Now it was my turn to laugh. It was a huge house. I imagined it filled with more kids. Lots of noise, a few dogs. Maybe even a cat or two. Chloe’s conversation with Steed a couple nights ago took center stage in my mind. I was soon staring out the window and not even paying attention to what was there. Steed turned the plane so all I could see was blue sky.
“Look over here. The cows.”
I leaned over to see out his side of the plane. “Where are the cows?” I asked.
“Hold on. There’re coming up.”
Stretching my neck more, I was beginning to feel a little nauseous, and I wasn’t sure if it was because Steed was tipping the plane or if it was from lunch.
“Can you straighten the plane out? I’m feeling sick.”
“Yeah, let me make this one turn.” He straightened out the plane then pointed out my window. “Take a peek out your window, and you’ll see it.”
I did as he asked, while my hand came up to my mouth. I focused on the plowed pasture out the window. The black dirt was a sharp contrast to the brown grass.
The words MARRY ME were spelled out across the pasture. I wasn’t sure how long I stared at it, but now it was moving behind the plane. I tried to keep looking before it was finally gone from my view. When I turned back to Steed, he was holding an open ring box that contained a beautiful princess cut diamond, along with a brilliant smile covering his beautiful face.
“I lost our love once before. I vow never to lose it again. Paxton Lynn Monroe, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The nausea in my stomach was instantly replaced by butterflies circling deep in my belly. My hands shook as I brought them to my mouth again. Steed was proposing. He was asking me to be his wife in the most romantic way I could ever have imagined. Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I tried to find my voice.
My chest felt light, my heart floating on a cloud of utter bliss, while my body trembled with pure happiness.
Dropping my hands, I smiled and nodded. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
His smile grew even wider, and the threat of his own tears were evident in the glistening of his eyes.