Page 23 of Aspen Heat
"Thanks for having my back, Mel."
"What are we going to do, Aspen?"
I know what she means, and I hesitate, but the feelings inside me are about to burst.
"We're going to deal with it together, kitten. I love you and I want us to be together forever."
Tears come into her eyes and I worry that I've said the wrong thing.
"Oh Aspen, I love you so much. How could this have happened in such a short time?"
"It was meant to be, Mel. I feel it in my marrow. You're it for me."
"We're going to need a new place to live. I can't go live with you at the Hot Shot's cabin."
"We'll have to wait until a decision comes down from the upper levels at the fire station first."
She doesn't look convinced, and I hurry to calm her fears.
"We can brainstorm in the meantime, kitten."
She seems relieved at my words and pulls a chair next to my bed and sits down, taking my hand again.
"I love to brainstorm. I love planning in general. Things don't always end up happening the way I plan them, but the fun is in the planning."
"We might have to wait for me to get a stable job before we get married and have kids."
I watch as Melissa starts brewing something in that beautiful head of hers. She looks so serious and I just want to laugh with glee at having her here by my side.
"There's need for rangers here for search and rescue. I heard someone mention it a few weeks back."
"There is? I didn't know that."
"You need to talk to the Teagarden sisters. They've got their fingers on the pulse of the town."
"Enjoying your time with Vivian, are you?"
"She's actually pretty great. I'm going to miss her when it's time to leave. Oh god. I forgot I don't have a house anymore."
Her words startle me. She said a house, not a home, and I wonder if it's too presumptuous of me to think I'm her home now. I've got an idea though.
"The fire department might be able to help us with your house. There's a bit of paperwork involved. Do you own the land?"
"Yes. I wanted something of my own."
"We'll rebuild, kitten. What kind of wedding do you want?"
"I think you are skipping a very important part of the process, mister."
"Just humor me. Besides, I'm not proposing from a hospital bed."
Her face breaks out into a smile and I don't think I've ever seen another woman as beautiful as her. This conversation we're having is the most important of my life, where we build a future together. Where we dream together.
"I want a big wedding, Aspen. I've met so many wonderful people here in Black Timber Peak. I never thought I could belong to a community after I was forcibly isolated for such a long time. This is like a dream come true and a lot of people have been a part of making me feel safe here."
Safe, she says, not happy. I vow to myself to make sure both of those needs are met and that we live an amazing life together.
"Okay, I want to know everything. From the flowers to the cake. Give me all the info. Hey, we should make a wedding binder like Monica had inFriends."
