Falling Angel (32 page)

Something shiny fell out with a clink.

Cara’s hand flew to her mouth. A large princess-cut diamond set in a platinum band sparkled in the sunlight on the white tablecloth.

Ben picked up the ring and got down on one knee before her.

“Cara Walker, will you marry me?”

Tears of joy coursed down Cara’s face as she leaned to kiss him.

“Yes. Yes, yes, yes!”

Spontaneous cheers and scattered applause broke out among the waiters and other diners as they witnessed the happy drama unfolding before them.

Commuters, mired in traffic and delighted by the unusual diversion, honked their horns enthusiastically at the sight of Ben on his knee before the smiling, crying Cara. Several drivers wound down their windows to cry, “
Felicitations
!”

Startled by the noise, a flock of grey doves rose from the pavement and swooped overhead in a graceful arc as Ben slipped the ring onto Cara’s finger.

As she looked into the eyes of her husband-to-be, Cara saw her own dreams reflected there. No more uncertainty, no more second-guessing. Ben was hers and she his. Together, they were ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.