Page 72 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Oh, there were fights. Sometimes Gavin’s friendliness attracted other women and Laurel’s jealous side kicked in. Or sometimes in the spring he was so busy with classes and baseball that he forgot to call. Those moments threatened her peace of mind. Made fear flow like poison in her veins. But he would remind her how much he loved her, and somehow everything was all right again. As time went on, her academic achievements went a long way toward alleviating her insecurities, as had Gavin’s obvious adoration of her.

Before she knew it, they’d graduated—it had taken them fiveyears to earn their bachelors’ degrees, and Laurel was determined to continue on for her master’s.

Gavin accepted a full-time position with Burgundy Construction in Asheville. But she still had two more years of school and couldn’t afford a place in Asheville. Gavin wanted to get married so they could be together, but Laurel wouldn’t settle down into married life until her education was finished. That was a good way to get stuck with a husband and children and unfulfilled dreams. She wouldn’t be supported by a man the way her mom had been only to have the wheels come off when he disappeared. If she’d learned anything from her mother’s life, it was this.

Another argument ensued. But somehow she convinced him they should wait until she’d finished her master’s.

The two years dragged by, but finally she graduated and moved back home with her mom. She’d gotten an assistant manager’s position at an Asheville nursery, but it didn’t start for a few weeks.

Gavin came to town her first weekend back home, flushed with excitement about his opportunities at Burgundy Construction. He filled her in over supper at the Trailhead. Tomorrow they’d hike up to Lover’s Leap for a picnic.

That Saturday Laurel worked till three, then went home to freshen up for her date. In previous summers she and Gavin had hiked all the trails outside town and even done an overnighter up to Max Patch. She loved that he enjoyed being outdoors as much as she did.

At six o’clock he stopped by the house to pick her up and they set off. The first part of the trail ran along the rushing river, then it turned into the woods for the switchbacks up the mountain. The temperature was mild for June, so the uphill climb didn’t seem so arduous. They chatted as lung space allowed. Laurel drew inthe pine and earthy scent of the woods, allowing it to soothe her. While she’d been at college she missed living right in the mountains. If it weren’t for her dream job she’d be content living here the rest of her life. But the Biltmore was in Asheville, and so was Gavin’s job.

They were quiet during the final steep ascent. The river and town were far below them now, and the sun was sinking low in the sky.

When they reached Lover’s Leap, Gavin slid off his backpack and handed her a water. “It’s been a while since we hiked this one.”

Laurel put her hands on her hips, catching her breath as she surveyed the vista. The Blue Ridge Mountains rolled across the skyline, hazy in the evening sunlight, and the French Broad River snaked through the valley, meandering along the town’s edge. “I could never get tired of this view.”

“I know what you mean.” He pulled out a blanket and spread it open on the ground. “Have you ever heard the legend behind ‘Lover’s Leap’?”

“It’s of Native American origin. Something about a maiden?”

“A beautiful Cherokee maiden who was deeply in love with a warrior. But another brave challenged her lover for her hand and he won. The maiden was so distraught she climbed the rocky ledge and jumped to her death rather than marry the brave.”

“Well, that’s a gloomy story.”

Gavin laughed. “You’re right. Let’s dig into this food and find something less depressing to talk about.”

Gavin had bought all their favorites from the Grab ’n’ Go Deli, and they dug in. She thought about the first time they’d come up here—when Gavin first told her he loved her. Laurel smiledwistfully at the memory. She’d fought her feelings for him hard. But despite all her reservations about love, when it came to Gavin she’d been as helpless as she was now.

After they finished eating, he leaned back against a rock. She settled in the V of his legs, and they watched the sun sink lower still, swaths of gold and orange sweeping the horizon.

“Remember the first time we came up here?” he asked.

“I was just thinking about that.”

“I was so nervous.”

“You were? I couldn’t tell.”

“I’d never told anyone I loved them before—at least, no one outside my family.”

She folded her arms over his. “It was the nicest thing I’d ever heard.”

“I never would’ve believed I could fall even deeper... but I have,” he whispered the last in her ear.

Laurel tilted her face up to him. “You say the sweetest things.”

Their gazes held for a long moment. His eyes still mesmerized her. And they were so serious just now she could only wait to hear what was on his mind.

“It seems like I’ve been in love with you forever. I can’t imagine my life without you, Laurel. You’re everything I want, everything I need... and nothing would make me happier than to spend every day with you for the rest of my life.”

He reached around for something, and when his hand reappeared it held a pale-blush jewelry box. He flicked it open and a solitaire diamond flashed against the black velvet.

She sat up, gasping, her gaze locked on the beautiful ring. Her heart raced. She was excited—that was why. They’d talked about getting engaged after Laurel graduated.

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