Page 111 of Unraveling Rain
Everyone rises from the table with him. Gramps and Sam both wrap me in big, warm hugs, telling me how much they enjoyed meeting me.
When Kristine steps forward, I notice a small pouch in her hand. Her smile is crooked, and her voice thickens with emotion as she begins to speak.
“I can’t begin to thank you enough for being here. You don’t know how much I prayed for my boy to meet someone worthy of him.”
My eyes pool with unshed tears. How does she know I’m worthy? We’ve barely talked.
She seems to read the doubt on my face.
“I’ve seen the change in Xander,” she says. “I’m sure some of it has to do with his recovery, but I also know that you’ve awakened something inside him I feared was gone.”
She pulls me into an embrace, and I feel her shoulders shaking. My heart whispers with hurt, for all the months and years she spent watching her son retreat from a distance.
“I’m the one who finally found someone worthy,” I whisper, and she pulls back just enough to hold my hands in hers.
“Here,” she says, placing the pouch in my palm. “I enjoy gardening and creating jewelry pieces from nature. I made this for you.”
I open the pouch and find a delicate flower, preserved in resin and set into a pendant. The petals shift between blue and purple depending on the light.
“This is beautiful, Kristine. Thank you,” I say, voice thick.
We hug again, and I press the pendant to my chest, holding it close, like a secret only we share.
Once we leave the restaurant—bellies full, hearts fuller—I stop just outside and turn to Xander, smiling. “Will you put it on me?”
He takes the necklace gently from my hand. “Mom gave you this?”
I nod.
“That’s awesome. She only gives these to family.”
I smile as he fastens the clasps behind my neck. When he’s done, he kisses the spot just below it, soft andlingering.
“Hmm,” I say, tilting my head toward him. “Then you better make an honest woman out of me.”
He barks out a laugh, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “That’s one surprise you’re not going to steal my thunder on, ma’am.”
He winks. “Our proposal will be one for the books. Just you wait, Cherry.”
He kisses me—slow, sweet—and then we start walking, hand in hand, down the shoreline.
People pass us as the waves roll in, clashing gently against the sand. Seagulls circle above, calling out as they look for their next meal.
I take a deep breath of salty air and look out at the endless blue ocean for the first time.
And I can’t wait to see what other firsts I get to experience with this man.
Hopefully, many, many more.
Chapter 30
Xander
Night has fallen, and Rain and I couldn’t even think about dinner after the feast we had with my family. Instead, we ended up walking down to the pier, letting the sea breeze cool us off.
“Do you want a little dessert?” I ask, glancing at her with a smile.
“You?” she teases, eyes glistening in the moonlight.
