He held it out to her and she lifted her gaze to stare at him as if he’d lost his mind.

“I couldn’t decide whether or not to give you back your old one or buy you a new one. I kept the old ring. I kept it with me the entire time you were gone. But bought a new one for a new beginning.” Matt said. 

Her hand trembled in his and she stared speechlessly at him.

He ruefully shook his head. “I know it’s not the most romantic proposal. It’s not even under the best circumstances. I’d intended to wait. Until it was the right time. Until we’d...