Page 85 of The Double Play

Daddy and I had the bestest day, but we missed you very much. That’s why we brought you this cookie. I hope it’s yummy! We also got you a green drink which I think looks icky, but Daddy says it’s your favorite. I do like the pink on top.

We love you,

June and Emmett

The bottom of the letter is signed half in June’s handwriting and half in Emmett’s. I clutch the card to my chest.

Hazel: I love you both so much.

Emmett: June says to tell you we love you most. I agree with her.

My face aches from smiling so wide.

Hazel: Impossible.

I sit down on the couch and nibble on my cookie as the sky grows dark. It’s still difficult not to feel antsy. Emmett probably wants us to have time to ourselves, so he’s making sure June won’t interrupt us by having me come before she’s in bed. But I wouldn’t have minded the chance to help with June’s nighttime routine after not seeing her all day.

As soon as the blue of twilight fades and the crickets begin to chirp, I’m rushing out to the side-by-side with keys in hand. I press on the pedal and take off down the trail to Emmett’s house. Headlights illuminate the trees and path ahead. My hair is likely to be even more wild than it was after the wind whips it around like this, but I don’t care.

I slow as I get closer to Emmett’s. Lights flicker up ahead. As I draw near, I make out twinkle lights strung in rows above the backyard, along with a path of glowing lanterns that starts at the edge of the trail. I park the ATV and step down. The cool grass brushes against my ankles as I walk forward with my heart in my throat.

Emmett is standing in a circle of light at the end of the path. He’s wearing jeans and a dark green t-shirt, his hair and beard combed.

“What’s all this?” I ask when I reach him.

He smiles down at me, making my breath catch. I don’t think I’ll ever get over seeing him smile like this. So boyish and carefree, the opposite of the fierce scowl he wears for the world. His hand finds mine and pulls me to his chest. I melt against him in a hug.

“I missed you, Wildflower,” he murmurs into my hair.

“You didn’t need to do all of this to show me that. I would have accepted a simple text,” I joke.

He chuckles. “I don’t think a text would be a romantic way to do what I’m about to do.”

“What?”

He takes a step back, grasping both my hands in his.

“I love you, Hazel Marie James. I love the way your eyes crinkle up at the edges when you smile. I love how you love my daughter like she’s your own. I love how you sacrifice for those you care for. I still can’t believe I’m one of those people. Each day I spend with you, I wonder what I did to deserve you.”

Tears well in my eyes as I recall thinking that same thing earlier.

“I’m in love with everything about you. All I want to do is find new things to love about you every day for the rest of my life.” He gets down on one knee and pulls out a green velvet box. I suck in a breath. “Wildflower, my brave girl, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

He opens the box and the ring sparkles beneath the twinkling lights. My eyelashes flutter as tears pour down my face like a summer rain. I nod.

“Yes,” I breathe out the three-letter word that will change the trajectory of my life.

He slides the ring on my trembling hand. I don’t even look at it before launching myself into his arms. He catches me, laughing in my ear as we tumble to the ground. I kiss him with everything I have. Love pours out of my soul and into his. He holds me tight against him like he never wants to let me go.

When we finally pull apart for air, I meet his dark brown eyes and lose my breath again at the affection I find them glowing with.

“We’re getting married,” I whisper.

He smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’ll be my wife.”

My toes curl at that phrase on his lips. “You’ll be my husband.”

“As soon as you want me to be.”

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