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To cover his uncharacteristic nerves, Rafe shoved his hand into the pocket of his linen pants, fished around for the diamond, then pressed his pinkie into the band Thenext to his body, reassured hiy later, you can read in the bathtub” But for now, he intended to put his ring on her finger

“If?” she repeated

“I have plans for you, Hope” After they returned to the house, his plans included a prayer bench that he was sure had never been inside a church

She gave an exaggerated shiver “We could skip the walk,” she suggested

“We could, but on’t” While they’d been at home, they hadn’t had much time to scene They’d flown to Florida to accompany his broken father back to Houston for Lillibet’s funeral Rafe had wondered if Theodore would go back to his wife, but the thought hadn’t seemed to cross his mind

He’d returned to the office in a show of stability in the afterreed to Noah’s request to transfer to Asia, where he could keep his children away from paparazzi harassment Before Rafe had left the o on his world cruise at the end of May, and he planned to visit Casablanca After Lillibet’s death, he’d watched thereflected his own life Just like the Bogart character in the movie’s final scene, Theodore would always have his memories

Hope snatched up a wrap and pulled it over her swimsuit, then slipped her hand into Rafe’s More than ever, he was grateful to have the beautiful Hope in his life She’d been strong for him and for his father, kind to his mother, a shoulder for his sister

She’dCeleste had referred soa difficult ti up

In companionable silence, he and Hope walked down the beach As the sun made its trek toward the horizon, they stopped She stood in front of him, and he wrapped his arms around her

“I can’t get over how it drops into the ocean”

Texas had a in its beauty and abruptness

When the first stars appeared in the sky, he turned her to face hiether”

“Thank you for this trip It’s… It’s been unforgettable”

He lowered himself to one knee When he’d asked her twice before to be his wife, he’d ination, it was different