Page 14 of Emergency with the Mountain Man
"I'm saying I love you. Completely, desperately, with everything I have. And if you'll have me, I want to build a life with you here in Silver Ridge."
The words hit me like a physical blow of pure joy. "If I'll have you? Norma, you're everything I've ever wanted and things I didn't even know I needed."
"Then ask me."
"Ask you what?"
Her smile is radiant. "Ask me properly."
Understanding floods through me. I stand, pulling her to her feet, then drop to one knee right there on my front porch. Her hands fly to her mouth, eyes filling with tears.
"Norma McKenzie," I say, meaning every word, "I don't have a ring yet, and this isn't planned or fancy, but I can't wait another minute. Will you marry me? Will you let me love you for the rest of our lives? Will you build a home with me here in Silver Ridge?"
"Yes," she breathes, tears streaming down her face. "Yes, yes, yes!"
I surge to my feet and lift her, spinning her around as she laughs and cries and kisses my face. When I finally set her down, we're both grinning like fools.
"I can't believe this is my life," she says, shaking her head in wonder.
"Better get used to it, future Mrs. Webster."
"I like the sound of that."
"Good. Because I plan to spend the next fifty years making sure you never regret saying yes."
Before she can respond, the sound of vehicles approaching draws our attention. Maple's car pulls into my driveway, followed by what looks like half the town.
"Did you?" Norma starts.
"I didn't invite anyone," I say, confused.
Maple gets out of her car with a huge grin, followed by Flint, Juniper, Vernon Cooper from the Silver Lodge, and at least a dozen others. They're all carrying food, drinks, and decorations.
"Surprise!" Maple calls out. "We're throwing you an engagement party!"
"How did you even know?" I ask, still stunned.
"Tom called everyone after you left work early," Juniper explains, setting down a covered dish. "Said you were acting like a man about to propose, and we should be ready to celebrate."
"Plus, Mrs. Patterson mentioned the new vet seemed awful happy when she left the farm," Vernon adds with a wink. "Seemed like a good sign."
I look at Norma, who's laughing and crying at the same time. "Welcome to small-town life," I tell her. "No secrets, but lots of support."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she says, then raises her voice to address our impromptu party guests. "Thank you all for being here. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather celebrate the best day of my life."
The cheer that goes up from our friends and neighbors echoes across the valley, a sound of pure joy that seems to make the mountains themselves smile.
As the evening unfolds—with food and laughter and stories about Silver Ridge romances that came before ours—I watch Norma seamlessly integrate into our community. She listens to Mrs. Patterson's advice about wedding planning, laughs at Tom's terrible jokes, and accepts congratulations from people who've known me since I moved here but are already treating her like family.
"You done good, cuz," Maple says, appearing at my elbow as we watch Norma teaching some of the kids how to bandage a stuffed animal's "injury."
"She's incredible."
"She is. And she loves you something fierce. Anyone can see it."
"I still can't believe she said yes."
"Why? Jake, you're one of the best men I know. Kind, loyal, hardworking, protective of the people you love. Any woman would be lucky to have you."
