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Afterthe families speak, they announce it’s time to launch the balloons. “Be Still”by The Fray begins to play through the speakers and there’s not a dry eyeanywhere. I stand behind Leah, with my arm around her middle as she looks upand releases her balloon.
Westand there, watching the early evening sky speckled with color while the musicfills the night.
Chapter Eighteen
Leah
Thelast two months have been the best of my life. It took a little while forTucker to adjust to living in an apartment and even with the jobs he did forStriking Back, he was bored. Though he wouldn’t admit it, I know he missed hiswoodworking. Just when I was to the point where I thought we’d have to liveseparately and stay with one another on weekends, some good luck fell into ourlaps.
Habitatfor humanity began work on two houses just down the street from us, and theywere only too happy to have Tucker as a volunteer. Now when he doesn’t have anassignment from Striking Back, he spends his days building and teaching theyounger volunteers while I’m at work.
Mysupervisor was disappointed that I wanted to leave, but after I outed myself asthe author of Growing Up Me, and explained I’d like to try writing full time,she understood. She even let me hire my own replacement.
I’vetaken my time and weighed the applicants carefully. These kids have become veryimportant to me and I want to know I’m leaving them in the hands of someone whoactually cares about them.
Allmy fears were put to rest once I interviewed Lesley Loden. She has a degree insocial work and five years experience working with troubled teens at aresidential treatment center. The center recently closed, so she’s looking forwork. I’ve had Lesley come in over the past two weeks and meet with students,and they’ve taken to her with ease.
Todayis my last day and the feeling is bittersweet. I love my job, but it’s notright for me right now. I’ll be happier living at the farmhouse with Tucker,writing my heart out. Since it’s my last day, the principal arranged for the studentsI counsel to have the same lunch schedule so I can have lunch with them and saygoodbye.
Myoffice is cleaned out and my car is packed up as I head to the lunchroom. WhenI walk in, I’m mobbed by students and we sit down, laughing and chatting. Theroom suddenly goes silent, and I notice my students grinning and covering theirmouths.
Somethingis going on.
Istart to ask a question, but my mouth falls open at the sight of Tucker,dressed in a white dress shirt and black slacks. Dead silence reigns as hewalks over to me and reaches out his hand.
Takingit, I stand up. “What are you doing here?”
Hiseyes never leave mine as he drops to one knee. I feel like I’ve been crushed,all the breath squeezed out of me. This can’t be happening. I’m dreaming. Haveto be.
Holdingup a beautiful diamond ring, he says, “Leah, I love you more than I thought Icould ever love anyone. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want tolisten to you type while I watch TV and run with you every evening. I don’t wantto spend another day without you as my wife. Will you marry me?”
Iwant to scream the answer from the roof, but my brain to mouth connection seemsto be struggling. After a few seconds, one of the female students yells, “Doit, Ms. Bolt. He’s hot!” Everyone laughs, and I take the ring from the box.
“Yes!”I cry, diving into his arms.
Thecafeteria turns to bedlam with kids cheering and stomping their feet. “Let’sget out of here,” Tucker murmurs in my ear, and we walk toward the door. I wavegoodbye to all my students and leave with a smile on my face to start a newphase of my life. One I’m really looking forward to.
“Landonand Zoe married in an old western town, Dare and Ayda had a zombie wedding in agraveyard, and Justus and Sadie married in a hot air balloon. You realize wehave to top that?” I laugh as we head to Tucker’s truck.
Adevilish smile breaks across his face.
Tuckerand I waste no time packing up and moving back to the farmhouse. Landonsurprises Ethan and Colin by finding them an apartment near their school wherethey can live together, so I don’t feel bad for reclaiming Tucker’s home.Which, I guess, is my home now too.
Tuckergoes back to building his furniture while I sit out on the porch and drool overhim while I write. We’ve come full circle.
Tuckeris sweating and hammering when I leave to meet with my book club at thelibrary, so I’m surprised to find the house empty and dark when I return.
“Tucker?Are you he—”
I’mcut off mid-sentence when strong arms grab me from behind. If it weren’t forthe smell of sawdust and soap I’d be scared, but I know it’s Tucker. I justdon’t know what the hell he’s doing.
“Tuck?”
Hepushes me to the wall and pulls my shirt off from behind. Unhooking my bra, heuses it to tie my hands behind my back.
Hishot breath is in my ear. “I read your book.”
Holy.Shit.
