Chapter 16

16

GRIFFIN

I can't think of the last time I took an entire Friday off, so I swing by the shop to drop off both sets of keys to the tow truck.

"Sorry about this," I say to Harper, who's smiling from the passenger seat as I park my Lexus in front of the shop. I don't drive my nicest car very often, but today is a special occasion.

"Don't be silly," she grins. "I'll sit around in this thing forever."

"No need – I'll be quick."

I run into the shop, where Carson and Walker are both staring at me. "Sneaking a day off to go for a joyride?" Walker asks, staring at where I've dropped the keys on the counter.

I grin from ear to ear. "It's a very special occasion."

"And?" Carson comes over to give me a quick shove on the shoulder. "Come on, since when do we keep secrets?"

"Fine." I can feel my chest puffing up with pride as they look at me strangely. "Harper and I are driving down to Oakton to do some shopping, and if we don't see something we love there, we're going to Kingsville. That's why we have to leave early. We'll probably have dinner and stay overnight in a hotel there."

"Why go so far?" Carson asks. "There's a nice restaurant in West Stoneburg you haven't taken her to yet."

"Yeah, but there's no really good jewelry store in West Stoneburg."

"J-jewelry store?" Walker sputters.

"What kind of jewelry?" Carson asks quickly.

My hands fly up as if in self-defense. "I know. I know. It's way too fast. It's borderline crazy. But I know it's right. I need to buy that special ring."

"It's been a week and a half." Walker shakes his head. "You really think she'll say yes so soon?"

"She basically said yes on Monday." Their mouths both fall open. "I mean, the official proposal isn't going to happen for a little bit. It's sort of a pre-proposal kind of thing. I'll explain everything tomorrow."

"Hello?" We all turn around to see Harper tiptoeing into the room hopefully with her traveler mug in hand. "Would it be okay if I topped up my coffee before we go?"

Carson strides over to wrap his arms around her. "Sister!"

Harper laughs. "Soon. But yes…brother."

Walker comes over to give her an awkward little hug. "Pre-welcome to the Dirty family."

"Hey, both of you – get your dirty hands off my woman." They jump back with their hands in the air, as if I were serious.

Then Carson refills Harper's mug for her, and we hit the road.

"I didn't realize you hadn't told them," Harper laughs.

"It was really busy all week, and I just didn't quite know how to say it. I know they're going to think we're nuts."

"Well, we kind of are." As I stop at a corner, she flashes me a guilty look. "Actually, we're probably doing all this too soon. I mean, there's no harm in waiting a few months, right?"

"Wrong." I squeeze her hand, then turn onto the next road. "You're changing your home for me. I want you to have something to show I'm serious." I smile from ear to ear. "Besides, the weird, primal male part of me wants to claim you with a giant, flashy rock."

"What? No. Not huge, please. A tiny rock is more than fine."

"If you're worried about money, I have plenty."

"But I'm not a flashy girl. I don't need to impress anybody. I'd rather use that money for practical things." She gives me a sideways glance. "If money is no object, does that mean your business has been doing well for a few years? I mean… Things are stable and all that?"

I squeeze her hands gently. "Yes. Very stable. I own my house, no mortgage, and have plenty of savings."

"The girls and I did some searching on your family history, as it relates to the history of the town. I guess if your family owns the land outright, it's easier to build and save, right?"

"Yeah. Also…" I look around as if someone might be listening. "We've kind of heard whispers that there's some family money buried deep. So if there was ever a real emergency, I know I could ask Dad or Grandpa for a loan."

I look over to see her smiling and shaking her head. "See?" I say. "Small town underground bank network. Very efficient. Like the rumor mill."

" Any way…" She reaches over to squeeze my arm. "Your house is fantastic, but there's a few little things I might change. Would it be okay if maybe the spare room became my computer space? Or if you have plans for that, I can find a corner in the basement."

I pull the car over, then walk around to her side and open the door. Kneeling in the gravel, I take Harper's hands. "Baby, I don't want you to feel that you ever have to ask. If you need something – anything at all – you tell me, and it happens. Everything you need to be comfortable and happy is now my mission."

Her lovely blue eyes are filling with tears as she blinks quickly.

"We can even build you a whole new house if you want."

"No! No way. Just a few tweaks."

"Hey – I've got the garage. I could build you a space of your own. Like one of those girly sheds. A crafting nook."

"You mean a she-shed like you see on decorator channels?"

"Sure! Or an extension to the house. Somewhere you can curl up and read in a screened-in spot with no bugs. Plenty of fresh air and natural light?"

"Really? That would be so cool!"

She leans down to kiss me as I squeeze her hands. "Ready to buy the ring you'll be wearing forever, baby?"

Harper grins. "The very small and understated one? Yes."

"If that's truly what you want, that's what we'll get. But I want to show you everything first. Like how you like to read the entire menu before making a decision. Deal?"

"Deal."

What she doesn't know is that I've already contacted each jewelry store, asking them to take discreet notes on everything that Harper says she likes, and anything that makes her eyes light up. They're going to get all her ring sizes and create an archive so I can order a bunch of pieces to be shipped to the shop next week. I'll have plenty to choose from for every holiday, birthday, month-a-versary.

My Dirty girl is going to sparkle with tokens of my love every single day.

Forever.