He pulled off his glove and took a ring off his pinkie, holding it up before her. Her gasp was drowned out by the collective shock of the crowd. It was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. Dozens of diamonds created a three-dimensional flower with sparkling petals and a large round canary diamond in the center.
“This is one flower you can’t kill, baby.”
Laughter bubbled out with her tears.
“Jules, my sweet Pixie, will you do me the honor of accompanying me on our greatest mission of all, building a future and a family together? Will you marry me?”
“Yes! I love you!” She threw her arms around him and kissed him as cheers and applause broke out around them.
“What the…?” Archer yelled. “Why is Jules making out with Dad?”
Their lips parted on howls of laughter, and as their families tried to explain to Archer what was going on, Grant put the gorgeous ring on her finger. “I love you, Jules, and I know I will love you more with every passing second.”
“I love you, too, and I’m counting on it.”
He sealed his promise with another passionate kiss.
“Grampa Steve is naked!” Joey yelled, pointing across the lawn.
Everyone turned to see Jules’s father freeze in his tracks.
Jules gasped. “Dad!”
He was wearing only his shoes and socks and holding a big metal sign from the park office that read ADDITIONAL PARKING IN REAR over his privates and another sign over his butt. Howls, hoots, and the Bra Brigaders’ catcalls rang out. Someone yelled something about dollar bills and a stripper pole.
“Steve, what are you doing?” Jules’s mother asked, hurrying over to him.
Her father glowered at Wells, Fitz, and Grant, who were cracking up. “You Silver boys are in deep trouble.”
“Did you steal my dad’s clothes and Santa outfit?” Jules asked.
“Steal is a little harsh,” Fitz said. “We borrowed them.”
Fitz tossed her father’s clothes to him, and he dropped the signs to catch the bundle, revealing the black boxer briefs he was wearing, which had a picture of her mother wearing a Santa hat with her hands around his crotch, causing more hysterical laughter.
“I can never unsee that underwear!” Leni hollered, making everyone laugh.
Jules covered her eyes.
“Sorry, Steve,” Grant said loudly. “Just a little prank payback for my lady.”
Jules melted at that and put her arms around him. “Who knew I was marrying the best prankster of all?”
“I’ll always have your back, baby,” he said, kissing her.
“And I’ll always have yours.” She leaned to his right and lowered her voice. “Your back, your lips, your…” She smiled seductively.
His eyes flamed. “Get over here before you get us both in trouble.” He crushed his lips to hers, in a kiss full of love, lust, and dirty promises she couldn’t wait to collect on.
THEY WERE PASSED from one set of loving arms to another until they’d hugged practically everyone there. All the girls gushed over Jules’s ring, and the guys made a big deal about Grant settling down. Their families were over the moon, and Steve wasn’t angry with Grant and his brothers after all. Archer, however, punched Grant in the arm and said it was a damn good thing he’d done right by Jules, because he’d already planned where to bury Grant’s body.
Fucking Archer.
As their families and friends began to disburse, Saul came through the crowd, walking with the slightest limp, much more stable than when they’d seen him in Seaport. He was holding the hand of his wife, Nina. She was still pleasantly plump, her hair whiter than Grant remembered, but her kind eyes and warm smile hadn’t changed a bit.
“Congratulations, kids,” Saul said, embracing each of them. “Grant, you remember my wife, Nina. Nina, this is Jules, the one I told you about.”
“How could I forget? It’s wonderful to see you, Nina.” Grant hugged her.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Jules said, embracing Nina.
“And I, about the two of you.” Nina took Saul’s hand and said, “If it weren’t for Grant’s generosity, we wouldn’t be at this event. Thank you for talking with Saul’s doctor and getting us that discount. He’s already walking so much more comfortably.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Grant put his arm around Jules, hugging her against his side. “We hope to do a lot more.” He told them about the Silver Lining Foundation.
Saul turned to Nina and said, “I told you there was something special about these two.” He returned his attention to Grant and Jules. “You kids put on quite a show tonight. I’m glad we didn’t miss it. I hope you’ll join us at the next community breakfast.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Grant assured him.
They talked for a minute more, and as Saul and Nina walked away, Jules looked up at Grant with that sweet smile he adored and said, “You are my Silver lining. But are you sure about this? About giving up the job with Darkbird?”
Grant looked around at the community that had helped raise him and the sparkling lights on the tree he’d decorated as a boy, wondering how he’d ever felt so disconnected from the friends and families who had only ever loved him and the island that had always held his roots. That was all water under the bridge now, or rather, on the banks, because he finally felt like he was exactly where he belonged.
Home.
On the island he loved, with a newfound purpose, the rediscovery of a brotherhood he’d somehow forgotten, and a crystal-clear path to a future with the woman he adored.
“Baby, I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Chapter Thirty
THE WINERY HAD been transformed into a romantic midnight fairy tale for Jock and Daphne’s wedding, with twinkling lights strewn overhead, gorgeous floral centerpieces with flickering candles, and a bride and groom that rivaled Cinderella and Prince Charming. Jules watched Daphne and Jock dancing for the dozenth time as husband and wife, with Hadley fast asleep on Jock’s shoulder. She’d been adorable toddling down the aisle with Daphne’s sister, Renee, tossing rose petals from a basket. The ceremony was so beautiful, even Grant had looked glassy-eyed as Jock and Daphne said their vows. Grant had squeezed her hand and said he couldn’t wait for their turn.
It had been three weeks since they’d gotten engaged, and it felt like much longer. Grant had spoken to Roddy about buying the bungalow before he’d proposed, and they’d moved Jules in the following weekend before the Silvers’ annual holiday dance. Grant had shocked them all and had requested the band play “Thriller” at the dance. He’d pulled Bellamy up to the dance floor and had tried to keep up with her. But as always, he’d done all the wrong moves, laughing and hamming it up. In Jules’s eyes, the only move that mattered was his effort to see his sister smile, and he’d nailed it. Just like he nailed everything else he did, like Christmas, which couldn’t have been more magnificent. Grant had surprised her with a trip to Spain. Spain! The man was a miracle. He remembered every word she’d ever said to him. They were leaving tomorrow, and Bellamy was going to watch Crash. His parents had been thrilled with their pixie Paris box. The painting he’d made now hung over his father’s mantel. His parents were looking forward to their trip.