Page 82 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

Scott set her down on the walking path at the edge of the park. Guests were drifting away to join the wedding picnic in the meadow with the bride and groom. Everyone in town was dressed up, happy and content.

“Think we’ll win couple of the year next time?” Amber asked, referring to Valentine’s Day, when they’d won the title Greatest Couple in Blueberry Springs, but then had it taken away for not being a real couple. Next year, qualifying shouldn’t be a problem.

“The only thing standing in our way was a lack of this.” He leaned down, kissing her in a manner that had her arms wrapping around his neck and her body calling out to his, making short work of her concentration on everything around them.

“Glad we were able to remedy that,” she said dreamily, when they came up for air.

“Me, too. I’ve waited too long.”

“And how long have you waited, exactly?”

“Ever since you stayed in at recess and made me that valentine.”

“Really?”

“It’s not easy being a new kid in a town like this, especially arriving in the middle of the Valentine’s Day party.” He rubbed her chin with his thumb as though wiping a speck away. “I saw the real you in that moment. Someone caring and giving. Willing to put what you wanted aside to ensure someone else was okay. You’re still that woman today and I still love you for it.”

They kissed again, Amber’s foot lifting off the ground. She forced it down again, not wanting to be a show-off, even though Scott’s kisses were that amazing.

“Little kids don’t love like that,” she whispered.

“Well, I did. And I didn’t say the type of love I had didn’t change. It grew stronger, and by the time we’re eighty it’s going to be the strongest thing on planet earth.

“Amber Lynn Thompson.” Scott got down on one knee, presenting a ring box from his pocket. “Will you marry me?”

Amber fell to her knees in front of him, her hands wrapped around his, keeping the box closed. They stared at each other for a long moment.

“Scott?”

“Yes?”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“Me? Forever?” she whispered.

“A man never kids about forever.”

“Even though I screw things up and say things without thinking?”

“Yes.”

“And even though I have big hips and might embarrass you?”

“I happen to like your hips and find it doubtful that you could ever embarrass me.”

Amber brushed away her tears, overwhelmed by Scott. His love. His trust. His ability to see the best in her and to believe that it would always be that way, and that the two of them would only get better.

But she knew. With Scott she could be better. Shewasbetter. She was the Amber she was meant to be, and there was nothing better than his love. Standing there in the cool green grass, with clouds drifting over the mountain town she’d always called home, she knew at long last what it was that made this place home. And she knew that together they would always be better than the sum of their parts.

“Yes, Scott Malone. I would be more than honored to be, forever, your loving wife.”

“That was even better than the yes I was hoping for.”

“That’s because our marriage will be extraordinary. Just like you and your love.”

He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. “I love you, Amber.”

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