Page 126 of Chasing Forever
He’s on one knee, holding a ring.
I gasp. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?”
“I thought you were taking a sip of your coffee.”
He blows out a breath. “I’ve been carrying this ring around with me for weeks, unsure when to propose. Wanting it to be perfect. I know we’re surrounded by weeds and not flowers, but this is where we’ll build our life together, so it’s the perfect place for me to ask you again to be my wife.”
“I’m already your wife.”
“Just say yes, please?”
“Look at the coffee cup,” I say.
He blows out a breath and glances at the cup. “LOML? Lottie, I’m looking for a yes.”
I fall down to my knees and sit back on my ankles. “It means love of my life, silly.”
“So that’s a yes?” He’s smiling now.
“Yes.” I hold out my left hand, moving my ring finger up and down.
“I know which finger.”
“Just helping you out.” I wink at him. He slides it on, and the sun sparkles on the diamond. “It’s beautiful. I would have been happy with our silver bands though, just so you know.”
“I wouldn’t be.”
We kiss, and my mom and dad come over to congratulate us. My mom admires the ring, and my dad tries to sell Brooks on him taking our last name again. After we tell my parents what we’ve decided, Dad and Mom leave us the UTV to get back. They hold hands as they walk back toward their house.
As we sit on the land where our new house will someday sit, I lean my head in Brooks’s lap.
“Would you have wanted something more planned out and romantic for a proposal?” he asks.
“No, this was perfect. I feel a kinship with the weeds.”
“Babe, you’re a rose, vibrant with beauty.”
“Nah, I’m happy to be a weed.”
He makes a humming noise. “I feel like I’m missing something.”
I wrap my hand around his neck and bring his mouth down to mine. “Good thing we have the rest of our lives for you to try to figure it out.”
I laugh, and he comes down the rest of the way. “I can’t wait.” And he seals it with a kiss.
Epilogue
Lottie
Brooks and I don’t waste any time starting our life together. We hire an architect to draw up plans for our house and plan our reception straight away.
It’s been the most exciting time of my life. The happiest time.
Brooks’s dad lost the election, which means Willowbrook has a new mayor for the first time in a long time. His parents immediately moved closer to Omaha, buying a house in some other town he has a friend in. We’re not sure what will happen with them, but I can’t lie—I breathe a little easier knowing I’m not going to run into them. Holden is back in Texas and never reached out to Brooks before he left. My husband doesn’t seem upset, but I worry at some point the loss of his family will crash down on him.
We’ve decided to forgo renting The Knotted Barn like my family expected and opted to hold a big party on our new land before we break ground this Monday. We’re married already, and I don’t want a fancy affair. I just want Brooks and our life. Mack too, but that goes without saying.
