Page 79 of Saving it with My Best Friend's Brother

Sandra approached with fresh documents still warm from printing. “Everything’s ready for the trust formation. We just need to establish community board members.”

“Already have suggestions.” I thought of Tom Parker’s security expertise and Marie’s business sense—people who’d proven their commitment through years of loyalty.

“Hunter.” Amelia’s voice drew me like gravity. She stood by the window, morning light creating a halo in her hair. “You disappeared earlier...”

“Yeah.” I moved to her side, drawn as always to her warmth. “Had some family time with Mom. Taylor and Van brought Chad.”

Understanding softened her features. “Good. You needed that.”

“She wants to meet you properly,” I observed her reaction. “When things settle down.”

“I’d like that.” She leaned slightly into me, vanilla and coffee mixing with the morning air. “You okay?”

I pressed a kiss to her temple, overwhelmed by rightness. “Better than okay.”

Sandra cleared her throat gently. “Not to interrupt, but there’s something else you should see.”

The newspaper she handed us carried the scent of time and cedar like it had slept in an old chest. Its headline read: “Local Children Win Environmental Science Fair.”

Two girls smiled from the yellowed photo, barely teenagers, proudly displaying their water conservation project. Their expressions were bright with accomplishment, unaware of how their paths would weave together.

“Is that...” Amelia’s voice caught, her finger trembling against the image.

“You and Taylor,” Sandra smiled. “Your mothers kept this. It was in the safe with the other evidence.”

“I remember this.” Amelia traced the photo with gentle fingers. “Mom helped us research. We won first place. She was so proud...”

“You were already protecting Pine Haven,” I murmured. “Even then.”

Her eyes met mine, full as mountain lakes after the spring thaw. “We’re still protecting it. All of us.”

Through the window, our community worked as one. Michael and Claire coordinated volunteers with synchronized grace. Taylor treated minor injuries while Van entertained children with baseball tricks, his professional skills bringing joy. Mom rocked Chad while talking with longtime guests, bridging time’s wide river.

“Look what you’ve built,” I breathed against her hair.

“What we’ve built,” she corrected, turning in my arms. “Together.”

Sandra slipped away as Amelia looked up at me, the morning light catching gold flecks in her eyes.

“You know,” she said softly, her eyes holding that mix of playfulness and depth that never failed to catch my breath, “we never had that dinner date.”

“True.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger. “Though we said ‘I love you’ while disarming a madman, so...”

Her laugh warmed me like a sunrise. “Romantic.”

“Give me a chance to do better?”

“Always.”

The small box in my pocket held possibilities like seeds waiting for spring. Through the window, I caught Mom’s knowing smile, Taylor’s excited grin, Van’s subtle thumbs up.

Looking at Pine Haven, my family, and Amelia in my arms, I knew Mom was right.

The future was bright.

And this time, we’d face it together.

All of us.

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