Tyler gave her a mischievous grin. "I wouldn't dream of asking permission. I was going to ask to borrow his tools to do some work on the house."
She swatted at him playfully and he took the opportunity to grab her wrist and steal another kiss.
"I knew you were never going to leave." He placed a hand over his beating heart.
"I felt it the moment you walked into this place that first night."
"You did not," she insisted with a shy smile. "I didn't even remember your name
at that point."
"Didn't matter. The second I saw you I knew Fate had brought you back to me, right where you belong."
"Guess I took the long way home, huh?"
He slid a hand down her side and she shivered. "Doesn't matter. You're here now and that's what counts."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Tyler. I really do."
"Then marry me," he said. "I want to make up for lost time."
"Marry you?" Her hazel eyes shone with happy tears. "Are you sure?"
"Alexis, I've had seventeen years to mull it over. You bet I'm sure."
"Then Tyler Barnes, I would love to marry you." She held his gorgeous face in her hands and kissed him.
"The Blue Heron is perfect for weddings or we could do it at the beach, whatever you want."
"The Blue Heron is perfect. I'll even wear white flip-flops."
"Hey everyone," Tyler called out. "Guess what? The most beautiful woman in the world has agreed to marry me."
A round of applause broke out as Tyler gave them a triumphant wave.
"We'll need a ring bearer," he said. "You think Owen's up for the job?"
Alexis nodded. "He'd probably officiate the ceremony if we let him. Joey and
Brian could be ushers."
He stood up and grabbed her hands. "I'll need to call Craig. A guy needs a best man. And you'll need a maid of honor."
"Betsy, of course."
"I'll write you the most beautiful wedding song you've ever heard," he declared.
"And we can get our wedding rings from Earl."
"Earl Simpkin still has his jewelry store?" she asked with surprise.
"He owes me one, too."
"Exactly how many free drinks do you give away?" she teased.
"I helped him write a love song for his wife."
"His wife? Isn't Earl like seventy years old?" She conjured up an image of Earl with his white tufts of hair sprouting in places no hair should sprout. He'd seemed old to her even in her teen years.
"His second wife, Paulette. She's a peach."
"Then Earl Simpkin Jewelry it is."