Page 116 of Embracing Trust

Epilogue

Ryan

I throw a ball as far as I can down the beach and Dixie takes off like a jet.

Julia chuckles. “Will that dog ever get tired of chasing that ball?”

“Doubtful.”

Julia and I walk hand-in-hand near the shore as the warm ocean ebbs and flows. It splashes our legs and brings some welcome relief to this hot summer day.

I release Julia’s hand, move away from the shoreline, and spread out the beach blanket I’ve been carrying.

Julia joins me and plops down on the blanket. My girl is beautiful as the sun shines off her sun-kissed skin, her long hair pulled back in a braid, and her shorts benefitting me the pleasure of those long, sexy legs.

I’ll never get enough of her.

Dixie gallops down the beach with the ball in her mouth and drops the sandy, wet toy next to me.

“That's enough for now. Lay down,” I tell her. “Take a load off.”

She sits near me, turns her head to the side, and barks.

“Enough. Lay down, Dixie.”

The dog lays down on the warm sand and rests her head on her front paws with her tongue hanging out.

I turn to look at Julia. Her wisps of loose tendrils blow in the breeze as she focuses her attention on the ocean.

“What’re you thinking about?” I ask as I squeeze her hand.

“I’m thinking how beautiful it is here and how lucky I am to be with you.” She turns to face me. “We’ve been through a lot this past year, huh?”

“We have, but there isn’t anyone I’d rather be going through it with than you.”

“Same.”

I’ve continued with both my group and one-on-one therapy sessions. My group meets once a month and I see my counselor every other week. I’m on some medication that has helped with both the depression and nightmares. I’ve been able to talk about what happened in Afghanistan with the group, with the counselor, and I’ve also shared everything with Julia. Opening up about the trauma, although difficult, has helped me heal and move forward. Julia has been nothing but supportive in my recovery.

I moved out of Patrick and Lydia’s house and got an apartment six months ago. I’m still in Monroe and only about fifteen minutes away from my brother, so it’s been a comfort knowing he’s nearby. I’m still working with Patrick’s construction company. He’s given me more responsibility and I’ve been in charge of two remodels in Collingsworth. I’ve been attending classes at our local community college in the evening in their construction trades program.

My beautiful girl is thriving in her business. She still does her normal portrait photography, but she’s had an extremely successful run with some of her other photos. Winning the photo contest earned her a lot of attention, and besides Lucy’s shop, she’s been selling her photos to several galleries. She’s attended some therapy sessions with me and also some on her own. I’m so proud of the steps she’s taken to not only work on our relationship but also to heal from what her father’s adultery and death did to her all those years ago.

I interrupt her thoughts. “I have a question for you.” I turn to her and take her hands in mine.

“Yes?” Her eyes twinkle in the bright afternoon sunshine.

I take a deep breath. My heart pounds like a bass drum in my chest. “I was wondering if you’d consider marrying me?”

“What?” Julia screeches and brings both hands to her mouth. “Oh my gosh! Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“And I have something for you.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the small box. I hand it to her. “Open it.”

Julia takes the small fabric box that’s yellowed over time and looks at me. Her eyebrows raised.

I motion to the box. “Go ahead,” I tell her. “Open it.”

Without further hesitation, she slowly lifts the lid. Her eyebrows lift, and her mouth falls open. Immediately tears gather. “This is unbelievable,” she whispers as if she doesn’t want to break the spell.

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