Page 112 of Mike

Lori smiled widely. “That’s wonderful! This is my favorite hike, and I do the loop at least once a year, enjoying every mile. But from now on, because of you two, this will be my most treasured spot along the way.” She reached out and took Mike’s phone which he’d unlocked, and pressed a few buttons.

“Okay.” She pointed it at them. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Throughout the exchange, Joe had simply regarded Mike joyfully, and as if on cue, turned back to him where he still perched on one knee, smiling broadly.

He started again.

“Joe. Alongside my kids, you are, by far, the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Before you, I was just going through the motions of living my life; happy, but not completely fulfilled. Doing things for my family and friends, while ignoring my own, deepest needs. Then you came along. Now I’m not only living, I’m thriving. And I want that feeling to last forever. Joelle Pikens, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

Mike ignored her tears, and concentrated on Joe’s watery smile, waiting not so patiently for her answer. When it didn’t come right away…

“Joe?” he finally prodded hopefully.

She shook from her trance, and beamed. “Yes, Mike. Yes, yes, yes!” She stepped toward him, but caught her foot in a rocky crevice and tripped instead, knocking both of them to the ground.

Mike rolled them away from the edge, and once on safe ground, he convulsed with laughter and surrounded her with his arms.

“I love you, Joe,” he said with all his heart.

“And I love you, Mike.” She looked around. “We didn’t… You didn’t lose the ring, did you?”

“Right here.” He let go of her with one arm, and raised his hand where he’d managed to keep hold of the box.

“Thank God,” she murmured. “I would have hated ruining things.”

Mike withdrew the ring, then dropped the box and picked up her hand to slip the gem on her finger.

“There. You are officially mine.”

“And you belong to me,” she answered dreamily.

Their kiss, which followed, was sweet, melting?—

“Got it,” their new friend Lori cut in gleefully. “Now, I’ll just put this here and be on my way.”

She laid the phone on a nearby rock, then with a wink, headed off down the trail.

Neither Mike nor Joe noticed.

They had eyes, only for each other.

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