Page 53 of Hook, Line, and Summer

“I thought you might be hungry.”

“Adam.” She shrugged out of her backpack as she walked toward me and set it down on the blanket. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in Ireland?”

“I was getting ready to board the plane, dreading the thought of heading back to what I considered to be my reality. But then I realized that the life I’ve been living the past ten years was a farce. You’re my reality. This place is my reality.” I stepped closer to Summer, taking her hands in mine. “So I left the gate, rented a car, and came back to Seaside.”

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

She pulled her hand from mine and wiped tears from her eyes, but they were falling faster than she could clear them. I pulled her against my chest and she wrapped her arms around my waist, holding me tight as she sobbed.

“I love you, Summer. And I don’t want to be anywhere you’re not.”

“I love you so much,” she said on a sob, then pressed her face against my chest.

Thea nudged her nose between our legs, trying to work our way between us.

“Someone is feeling neglected,” I said, pulling back slightly. “Let’s have a seat on the blanket and she can join us.”

The three of us settled around the food containers I’d set out. Summer pointed to a spot behind me.

“Can you hand me my backpack?”

“Sure thing.”

I reached behind me and grabbed it then handed it to her. Summer reached inside and pulled out a Kong, then gave it to a drooling Thea. She also filled her water bowl and set it just off the edge of the blanket.

“That should keep her busy for a while.”

“Are you hungry?” I asked. “I grabbed a few things from the cafe.”

“If you’d asked me that a half hour ago, I’d tell you I couldn’t eat a thing, but now I’m famished.”

“I understand that.”

We opened the containers and set them between us. I handed her a fork and she dug into the seafood salad. A sense of calm washed over me as we sat there eating. If I had any doubt I’d made the right decision, this feeling would diminish it. Being with Summer just feels right. She’s my home and I’ll never leave her again.

After we emptied most of the containers, I tossed them back in the bag and set them aside. Summer picked up her water bottle and took a big drink.

“I still can’t believe you just walked away from a boarding plane. What time did you get back here? Were you next door while I was dramatically sobbing on my bed?” She looked around. “And how did you know when Thea and I would be here? Were you just hanging out here all morning?”

I chuckled and held up my hand.

“Can I answer at least one question before you ask another?”

“Sorry,” she said, looking anything but.

“I stayed at Andrew’s and got in around midnight. I thought about going straight to your house, but I wanted to make a grand gesture,” I explained. “I’ve been here for about an hour. I know you don’t usually come really early so I just took a chance on time.” I shifted closer until my legs bumped against hers. “I didn’t exactly come right back here when I left the airport.”

“Where’d you go?”

“I had some shopping to do.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the jeweler’s box that’s been burning a hole there. Holding it up, I popped open the top. Summer looked at the ring, then at me, eyes wide.

“Summer Hanson, you’re my home, my calm, my everything. Will you marry me?”

She blinked.

“Is this happening right now? Am I dreaming?”

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