Page 34 of The Mountains Edge

"Now." He kisses me softly. "Please?"

"Okay."

He helps me into his truck like I'm something precious. The dogs appear from wherever they've been hiding, jumping in the back like they've been waiting for this.

We drive up to his cabin, our cabin now, really. I practically live here already, my clothes mixed with his, my coffee mug next to his workbench.

But he doesn't stop at the cabin. Keeps going up the old logging road to the overlook. He leads me to the edge where the whole valley spreads below us. The Trading Post is visible, and beyond it the town we've made our home.

Scout drops something at my feet.

"Really?" I laugh. "This is what all the shoe theft was about?"

But there's something in the boot. Something small and wrapped in soft cloth.

My heart stops.

"Daisy." Marcus's voice is rough as he takes the package from my shaking hands. "Look at me."

I do. He's holding a ring in a small box. Wild things dance in the wood grain, protecting the diamonds.

"What?"

He takes my hand. "I saved it from the fire. It was my grandmothers ring."

Tears blur my vision. "Marcus."

"I'm not good with words." His fingers tremble slightly. "But I'm good with wood. With stories. And our story, well, Daisy, you make me want impossible things. Make them possible."

"Yes."

His laugh is shaky. "Didn't ask yet."

"Don't care." I pull him close. "Yes. Always yes."

He kisses me hard, pouring everything into it. When we break apart, he's smiling like dawn.

"Let me do this right." He sinks to one knee, still holding my hand. "Daisy. My impossible woman. Will you marry me?"

"Yes." I'm crying and laughing as he slides the ring on. "God, yes."

He stands, pulling me into his arms. The dogs bark excitedly, breaking the moment.

And from the trees comes applause.

The mountain men emerge, grinning. Jake's filming with his phone while Cole and Finn pop champagne bottles.

"Told you she'd say yes," Jake calls.

I bury my face in Marcus's chest, laughing. "How long have you all been plotting this?"

"Weeks." Marcus kisses my temple. "Especially figuring out how to get you here today."

"We had to get you up here somehow," Cole said.

"The dogs were very committed to their mission," Finn adds.

I look around at these men – my family now. At the dogs prancing proudly. At the ring that combines my past with his craft.

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