Russell stood near the stone balustrade holding a small velvet jewelry box in his hands.

I smiled gently as I walked up to him and leaned my head against his shoulder.

“Please tell me that box doesn’t contain another deed to a secret mansion, Russell.”

Russell chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around my waist.

“No, my love.

I swore an oath that I would never buy so much as a garden shed without your full approval.”

He opened the velvet box to reveal a simple, polished platinum key resting beside my father’s original silver watch.