Page 20 of Sweet Summer

“They’re on the patio with your parents and they are all giddy.” Maisey chuckles. “I’m pretty sure Dub’s entertaining them, too, so they’ll be occupied listening to his stories about life as a career firefighter.”

“He’s got some great stories from his days when he worked in Los Angeles.” I peek out the large window facing the main street, hoping to spy Freya on her approach. “He’s had some narrow escapes.”

“I bet.” I can feel Maisey’s presence, she’s staring at me and watching me pace back and forth. “I hope you’re not trying to make one now?”

“No way.” I stop pacing and turn around, putting my hands on each of Maisey’s shoulders. “I know with one hundred and fifty present certainty that I’m not ever going to make an escape from this woman. I don’t want to.”

“That’s all I need to hear.” She nods in the direction of the back patio. “Come on, let’s get the ring and then get everyone into position.”

I follow Maisey out to the patio, where she and Dylan had painstakingly set up a bevy of all of Freya’s favorite things: twinkling fairy lights strung overhead, little white candles in glass Mason jars placed everywhere––which screams fire hazard to me, but thankfully we have half of the Lake Lorelei fire department here tonight––a grazing table that could feed the whole town, and an assortment of pies. From caramel apple tart pie to chocolate peanut butter and including Freya’s absolute favorite…strawberry pie.

I spot my grandmother standing with Freya’s parents. As I walk over to say hello, I’m pulled into a bear hug by Freya’s father. The Fredericks’ stand with Jack and Dub, who areflanked by Reid, Dylan, and other members of our station. Even Pastor Shannon was there with his wife.

Looking around at all of these wonderful faces here to help support and nurture us on this night? My stomach does a tiny somersault.

Nerves. Excitement. All of the feelings.

It’s getting real.

“I see that look on your face.” My grandmother suddenly appears beside me, like an apparition. A tiny lady with a powerful energy around her and she’s always been my rock. Putting an arm around her, I pull her in tight to my side.

“Is that look me being confused?”

“It’s excitement, perhaps laced with extra nervousness?” She tilts her head, looks into my eyes and presses a small box into my hand. “Wyatt, go get her.”

Looking down at my hand to see what she had given me––my heart leaps. “Thank you. I love that this was your engagement ring and we get to keep it in the family.”

“Same here. You know, I was blessed enough to have had one great love of my life with your grandfather. I’ve waited to hand this down to you for years, Wyatt. I’ll be honest, I’m thrilled it’s Freya who will be joining our family.” She steps back and looks around the deck, holding my hand tight. “Can you feel it?”

“Feel what?”

“All of the love hanging in the air for the two of you tonight.” She squeezes my hand. “We’re all here to root for you, so you’d better get ready to seal the deal.”

The fact my grandmother wants me to ‘seal the deal’ is enough to not only crack me up but to also remind me I gathered everyone here with me for my mission. I turn to the small crowd and wave, signaling for them to simmer down.

“Folks, I’ll be back soon and then you can be as loud as you want to be. Until then, try to keep it down, will ya?”

Heading back inside, I hear a few muffled cheers followed by a final warning SHUSH from Masiey, shutting the group up once and for all…at least for now.

Pausing at the door, I take a moment to look around at this group of people gathered here for us on this beautiful November evening. The patio sparkles and so do its occupants. The air has a slight chill, but it isn’t freezing cold yet so being outside is still enjoyable…as long as we keep those outdoor heaters on.

It’s perfect.

I walk back into the Red Bird and stand at the counter, waiting for Freya to arrive. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I know it won’t be long. She’ll be here any second.

Casting my eyes around the cafe again, I can’t help but grin. It’s filled with so many memories and the majority of them revolve around Freya. I can’t wait to make more memories with her and do it right here in Lake Lorelei.

“Wyatt?” The front door to the cafe opens and Freya sticks her head inside. “There’s a sign on the door that says the cafe’s closed. Are you here?”

The Red Bird is dark, but awash in moonlight. Where I’m standing, I’m blocked by a shadow so she can’t see me, but I have the perfect vantage point to see Freya as she glides across the room. My heart begins a barump-barump-bang-repeat kind of cadence in my chest.

Slipping out from behind the counter, I stride to where she stands and wrap my arms around her waist. “The sign says it’s closed, because there’s a special event going on here tonight.”

“Oh.” Her face falls as she steps back, her hands flying to her dress. “I wasn’t aware there was something going on. Am I dressed appropriately?”

Now, I’m not any kind of expert but the dress Freya’swearing is beautiful. It hugs her curves in all the right places and shows off her figure. “You’re gorgeous.”

“Really?” Smiling shyly, she twirls in a circle…and trips over her own feet because that’s my girl. “Crap. It’s the heels. Maisey insisted I buy them the other day to go with the dress. I didn’t think this whole look was my thing––it’s a wrap dress and I don’t wear them usually. And it’s been a while since I was this dressed up. You think it looks nice?”

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