Page 90 of Final Vendetta

You buried your nose in books galore,

Lost in history, myth, and lore.

But I preferred a hands-on class,

Between the stacks, time seemed to pass.

I didn’t even have to think twice to figure out where to go — the library at my old college where Gideon would often drop by to visit me and give me a different kind of anatomy lesson than the one I was studying.

Hopping in my car, I made my way out of the peaceful neighborhood of Brookhaven and toward my old college, wondering if I should have taken an Uber to save time. But as luck would have it, someone pulled out of their parking spot just as I approached.

Once I killed the ignition, I grabbed my purse and hurried through the quad toward the library, finding the next clue in an anatomy book, as I expected.

From there, his clues led me across Atlanta. To a coffee shop. To a bench at Piedmont Park. Even to the building that was home to his community center. Each location filled me with a flood of fond memories and reminded me of the connection we shared.

Finally, when I found the last clue at The Varsity, where I rewarded myself with a Varsity dog, I knew I was nearing the end of my journey.

Past the trees and down the lane,

Where moonlit waters knew no pain.

The farmhouse waits where the lake is clear,

A chapter of our story I’ll always hold dear.

Tossing out the rest of my half-eaten hot dog, I hurried back to my car, my excitement mounting with every mile. By the time I turned onto the gravel drive leading to my uncle’s farmhouse, my chest was tight with emotion.

The house stood like a sentinel at the edge of the lake, its wide front porch bathed in the afternoon light. The sprawling oak trees that flanked it swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering a melody only they could hear. The air carried the earthy scent of pine needles and fresh grass, mingled with the faint aroma of the lake water beyond.

Stepping out of my car, I paused to take it all in. The farmhouse looked the same as it did during my childhood with its whitewashed siding and green shutters. The creak of the wooden steps underfoot brought back memories of running up and down them with my cousins, and of one unforgettable summer night when Gideon kissed me for the very first time.

A fluttering erupted in my stomach as I climbed the stairs and opened the heavy wooden door, revealing the cozy interior I knew so well. Warm golden light streamed through the windows, catching tiny specks of dust swirling lazily in the air. The scent of aged wood and lavender cleaner filled my lungs, grounding me in the moment.

In the center of what once was the parlor stood Gideon, dressed in a sharp black suit with a single flower pinned to his lapel. My breath caught as I took in every detail — the way thesuit hugged his broad shoulders, the way his eyes softened when they met mine.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer, his presence filling the room, the faint scent of his cologne teasing my senses. “I told you this morning,” he said softly. “I wanted to give you a better memory of today. After everything we’ve been through, I think we both deserve that.”

“You’re right about that.” I laughed under my breath.

“At first, I wasn’t sure what to do,” he continued. “I know you love scavenger hunts. But I wanted today to be special. A day you’ll never forget. A day that will only conjure happy memories from this day forward.”

I rose onto my toes and brushed my mouth against his. “Every day with you is the best day of my life.”

His lips curved into a smile that made my knees weak. “Mine, too. And I don’t want to wait another second to start the rest of my life with you, Imogene. I want it to start now. Today. Will you marry me?”

With a smirk, I held up my left hand, the engagement ring sparkling in the fading sunlight. “I already said yes. Or are you too old to remember that far back?”

He pulled me close and dipped his head toward my neck. “I should punish you for making fun of my age.”

I met his eyes. “Promise?”

“You better believe it.” His pupils dilated as he raked his gaze over my frame, causing heat to pool in my belly. Then his expression softened once more. “But that ring on your finger is just an engagement ring. I don’t want to be engaged to you anymore.” He brought his hands to my face. “I want to bemarriedto you.”

His statement hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless. My pulse increased as I searched his eyes for any hint of hesitation, but there was none.

“Right now?” I asked, the words barely audible. “I don’t have a dress.”

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