Page 17 of Burning Mountains

Itook a deep breath, steeling myself.Then, never taking my eyes off hers,Islowly dropped to one knee.

Zoe'shand flew to her mouth. "Axel," she gasped. "Whatare you doing?"

Ireached into my pocket, pulling out a small velvet box that looked like it had seen better days.Insidewas a ring - my grandmother's ring.Itwas a simple thing, just a band of gold with a small diamond.

"ZoeMitchell,"Isaid, my voice steady despite the way my heart was thundering. "Iknow we've only known each other for a few days.Iknow this is crazy.Butdarlin',I'venever been more sure of anything in my life."

Iopened the box, holding it up to her.Thediamond caught the light of the setting sun, sending little rainbows dancing acrossZoe'sface.

"You'reit for me,Zoe.Mysoulmate, my forever, my partner in crime-fighting and s'more-making.You'rethe womanIwant to wake up next to every morning and fall asleep beside every night, even when you inevitably steal all the blankets.TheoneIwant to build a life with, right here in these mountains.SoI'masking you,ZoeMitchell, will you marry me?Willyou be my wife, my partner, my everything?Willyou join me in this crazy adventure called life?"

Zoe'seyes were filled with tears, but she was smiling wide.Sheopened her mouth to answer, but before she could get a word out, something caught her eye.

Ifollowed her gaze, looking up just in time to see a pair of bald eagles soaring overhead.Theywheeled through the sky, their wings spread wide, crying out to each other.

"Wouldyou look at that,"Ibreathed, awe in my voice. "I'velived here my whole life, andI'venever seen anything like it.It'slikeAmericaitself is giving us a thumbs up."

Zoelaughed, a sound of pure joy that echoed off the mountains. "Ithink that's a sign," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Ablessing from the mountains themselves."

Shelooked back down at me, her eyes shining with love. "Yes," she said, nodding emphatically. "Yes,AxelHawke,Iwill marry you.Iwill be your wife, your partner, your everything.Iwill face bears, blizzards, and questionable plumbing with you.Iwill learn to start fires, track game, and possibly yodel.Iwill loveyou through thick and thin, through hunting seasons and tourist seasons, through bad hair days and badBigfootsightings."

Myheart soared higher than those eagles asIslipped the ring onto her finger.Itfit perfectly, like it was made for her.

Istood up and pulledZoeinto my arms.Ikissed her with everythingIhad, trying to pour all my love, hopes, and dreams into that one kiss.Shekissed me back just as fiercely, her hands fisting in my shirt like she was afraidImight float away on a cloud of happiness.

Whenwe finally came up for air,Irested my forehead against hers. "Ilove you,ZoeMitchell-soon-to-be-Hawke,"Imurmured. "Morethan hikers love trail mix.Morethan bears love picnic baskets."

Shegiggled, the sound music to my ears. "Ilove you too,AxelHawke.Mymountain man, my forever."

Asthe sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in a riot of colors,Iheld my fiancée close.Thefuture stretched out before us, as vast and beautiful as the wilderness around us.Therewould be challenges, sure.Adjustmentsto be made, compromises to navigate.Butstanding there, withZoein my arms and the ring on her finger catching the last rays of sunlight,Iknew we could handle anything life threw our way.

Becausewe had each other.Becausewe had love.Andbecause, sometimes, when you least expect it, fairy tales do come true - even for gruff mountain men and city girls who think "roughing it" means a hotel without room service.

Andso, as the stars began to twinkle overhead, we stood there, basking in the glow of our ridiculous love story.Itwas a moment so perfect, so cheesy, it could have been the climax of everyHallmarkmovie ever made, mashed together and deep-fried in pure, unfiltered romance.

9

ZOE

Fiveyears later…

Iwoke to the gentle caress of sunlight streaming through our bedroom window, quickly followed by the less gentle caress of a pinecone hitting me square in the forehead.Ah, the joys of sleeping with the windows open in the wilderness.AsIsat up, my hand brushed against the solid wall of muscle that was my husband's chest.Evenafter five years, the sight ofAxel'srugged features softened in sleep never failed to make my heart skip a beat.

Asif sensing my gaze,Axel'seyes fluttered open, a slow, sexy smile spreading across his face that made him look like a manly man calendar shot gone feral. "Mornin', darlin'," he rumbled, his voice husky with sleep.

"Goodmorning, handsome,"Imurmured, snuggling closer to him and getting a face full of beard.Hisarms instinctively wrapped around me, pulling me flush against his body.

Axelobliged my unspoken request for a kiss, his lips meeting mine in a smooch that started soft but quickly deepened.Fiveyears of marriage hadn't dampened our passion one bit.Ifanything, it had only grown stronger.

Justas things were starting to heat up, the pitter-patter of little feet in the hallway caught our attention.Webroke apart, sharing a knowing smile that was equal parts love and resignation.Three... two... one...

"Mommy!Daddy!"Ourbedroom door burst open with the force of a small avalanche, and our three perfect children tumbled in, a whirlwind of giggles and excitement.

Five-year-oldEmma, our firstborn, led the charge, her wild curls bouncing as she scrambled onto the bed like a squirrel on espresso.Closebehind was three-year-oldLiam, his chubby legs working overtime to keep up with his big sister, looking like a particularly determined potato rolling uphill.Andbringing up the rear, toddling on unsteady feet was our youngest, 18-month-oldLily.

Axelscooped upLily, tossing her in the air with all the casual disregard for safety that only a mountain man could muster. "There'smy little wildflower," he cooed, pressing a kiss to her chubby cheek.

IgatheredEmmaandLiaminto my arms, peppering their faces with kisses. "Goodmorning, my little mountain goats,"Isaid, using the nicknameAxelhad given them for their uncanny ability to scramble over any terrain and eat literally anything they found.

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