Chapter 34
McCrae
The fresh morning air drifted through the open windows of my parents’ house as my family gathered for our traditional Sunday dinner. I smoothed my hands over my dress shirt for the fifth time, trying to calm the wild beating of my heart.
The small velvet box in my pocket felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.
I’d spent hours at the jewelry store in Casper yesterday while Azalea was shopping with Kayla the day before, carefully selecting a ring that I hoped would be perfect; a solitaire with tiny diamonds encircling the band.
I wanted something timeless that would make her think of me every time she looked at it.
“You’re jumpy,” Damon whispered, nudging me with his elbow as he passed with a stack of plates for the table. “Relax. She’s going to say yes.”
Easy for him to say. He’d already done this part. Twice.
The past week had been surprisingly calm.
Diaz was in federal custody, and according to Agent Winters, the trafficking ring was completely dismantled.
The FBI had even managed to rescue twelve victims who’d been held captive in a warehouse in Arizona.
Azalea was already working on a story about it, determined to bring attention to the issue in a way that might help others.
And me? I was planning the rest of my life with a woman I’d known for less than two weeks. Insanity. But the kind of insanity that felt exactly right.
“McCrae, can you grab the ice?” my mother called from the kitchen.
I moved to help, passing Azalea where she sat playing with my niece, bouncing her on her knee while making silly faces. She looked up and caught me staring, her smile widening. My heart did a flip, like it did whenever she looked at me like that.
“What?” she asked, laughing.
“Nothing,” I said, unable to stop my own grin. “Just … happy.”
Her green eyes softened. “Me too.”
Every confirmation from her that she was happy here, with me, with my family, just cemented my certainty that I was making the right decision today.
My mother had cried when I’d told her my plan; then she’d immediately called all my siblings to coordinate. It was a miracle they’d managed to keep the secret.
I collected the ice from the freezer and brought it to the dining room table.
My family buzzed around, setting food on the table, arguing good-naturedly about sports, politics, the weather …
anything and everything. Kayla was teasing Dylan about Eliza, Noah and my dad were debating something about fishing, and through it all, Azalea moved like she’d always been one of us—laughing at the right moments, joining in conversations, and then helping my mother bring out the roast.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, shielding the screen from Azalea’s curious glance.
Five minutes away, the text read.
My pulse quickened. I caught my father’s eye and gave a slight nod.
He winked in response, then clapped his hands. “All right, everyone, food’s ready. Let’s sit down.”
We all gathered around the big oak table.
Azalea took her seat beside me, her knee bumping mine under the table.
She’d dressed up a bit today, wearing a pretty green sundress that made her hair look even more vibrant.
My mother had insisted on taking pictures earlier, saying we were all dressed up and we needed pictures.
I’d pretended to be annoyed by her fussing over us, but it was all in the plan.
My father said grace, and plates began passing around.
The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of silverware.
I tried to eat, but my stomach was in knots. I kept checking my watch, then the door, then my watch again.
“Are you okay?” Azalea whispered, her hand finding mine beneath the table. “You’ve barely touched your food.”
“I’m great,” I assured her, squeezing her fingers. “Just thinking.”
“About what?” she asked, her eyes curious.
Before I could answer, the distinct sound of tires on gravel came from outside.
A car door slammed.
Azalea didn’t seem to notice, but everyone else at the table exchanged knowing glances.
Then came the knock—three sharp raps on the front door.
“I’ll get it,” I said, starting to stand, but my mother waved me back down.
“No, no, you stay. I’ll see who it is.”
Azalea was saying something to Kayla, still oblivious to the way my entire family had fallen strangely quiet and watched the door with anticipation.
I heard my mother’s exclamation of welcome, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching the dining room.
Azalea turned at the commotion, her fork dropping from her hand with a clatter as she saw who stood in the doorway. “Greg?” she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her brother stood there, leaning slightly on a cane, but standing tall and grinning. He looked better than when I’d last seen him in the hospital; color back in his face, strength in his stance despite the obvious lingering pain.
“Surprise,” he said.
Azalea was on her feet in a flash, rushing to him with a strangled cry. She flung her arms around him carefully, clearly mindful of his injuries, tears streaming down her face. “What—how—”
“Easy,” he laughed, hugging her back. “Doctor cleared me for travel yesterday. He said fresh mountain air might do me good.”
She pulled back, looking from him to me to my family, all of whom were smiling broadly. “But how did you get here? The hospital was in Denver, and—”
Greg shrugged, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “McCrae arranged everything. Private medical transport, a place to stay.”
I stood, pushing back my chair. “There’s someone I’d like everyone to meet,” I said, moving to stand beside Azalea and Greg. “This is Greg Ryan, Azalea’s brother and apparently my new friend, since we spent nearly three hours on the phone yesterday going over all of this.”
Greg waved to the table at large. “Pleasure to meet you all. I’ve heard nothing but good things.”
Kayla laughed. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yes,” everyone agreed.
“What did you two talk about for three hours?” Azalea asked, turning to me.
I took a deep breath. “About how much I love you.”
The room went utterly still.
Azalea’s eyes widened.
“I know it’s fast,” I continued, my voice steadier than I expected. “I know some people would say we’re crazy. But when you know, you know.” I took her hands in mine. “And I know, Azalea Ryan.”
I lowered myself to one knee, pulling the small velvet box from my pocket.
Behind her, I could see my mother already dabbing at her eyes with a napkin. Kayla was bouncing in her seat.
I grinned up at her already tear misted eyes. “I wanted your brother here because he’s your family, and family matters. It matters to me, and I know it matters to you.” I opened the box, revealing the diamond ring.
Her hands flew to her mouth. “What?”
“I don’t need more time to know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” I said, my heart pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.
“I love your strength, your determination, your kind heart. I love how you fit with my family like you’ve always been here.
I love that you’re willing to start a new life in this small town because it feels right to you too. ”
I took another deep breath. “Azalea Ryan, will you marry me?”
Time seemed to stand still as I waited for her answer.
“I …” she started. Then she stopped, her voice catching on emotion.
My heart skipped a beat. Was she hesitating? Had I misjudged everything?
Then she was nodding, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, McCrae, I would love to marry you.”
I laughed and slipped the ring onto her finger. I stood and pulled her into my arms, kissing her as my family erupted in cheers around us. I could feel her smiling against my lips, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck.
When we broke apart, Greg was there, his eyes suspiciously bright. “I approve,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder.
“You’d better,” I laughed. “I asked your permission, after all.”
“Wait,” Azalea said, looking between us. “That’s what you talked about yesterday?”
Greg nodded. “Among other things. Like how I’m thinking of applying to the Refuge Falls Police Department.”
Azalea’s jaw dropped. “Really?”
“Turns out they have an opening for an experienced officer. Damon and I talked earlier today.”
“We could use someone with your expertise,” Damon added from the table.
Azalea turned to me, her eyes shining with happiness and disbelief. “You arranged all of this?”
I shrugged, suddenly feeling shy under the weight of her amazed stare. “I just wanted everything to be perfect.”
“It is,” she said softly, her fingers intertwining with mine as she admired the diamond on her finger. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
Kayla couldn’t contain herself any longer. She jumped up and rushed over, wrapping us both in a hug. “I knew it! I knew you two were meant to be together from the moment I saw you at the hospital.”
“I probably knew it first,” Ella called out. “I met her second, after McCrae, everyone.”
All of us laughed.
Noah raised his glass. “To McCrae and Azalea. May your life together be as beautiful as the way you found each other.”
“To McCrae and Azalea!” everyone echoed, raising their glasses.
My father stood. “I’ve never been prouder of you, son. You found a good woman.” He blinked and took my mother’s hand.
“I agree,” said my mother.
Azalea blushed. “Thank you both.”
“When’s the wedding?” my mother asked, already in planning mode.
“Mom,” I laughed. “We just got engaged thirty seconds ago.”
“Well, I’m just saying, if you want a summer wedding, we’ll need to move quickly,” she replied, completely serious.
Azalea giggled, leaning into my side. “I don’t need anything fancy or big. Just all of you there.” She winked at me. “And I think soon is good.”
Happiness filled me and I gathered her into my arms.
Canyon brought a chair to the table. “Sit, Greg, get to know this rowdy bunch.”
Greg took his seat at the table, looking pleased but exhausted from standing so long. “McCrae, I want you to know that our parents and foster mother would have loved you, I know they would have.”
Azalea grinned and put a hand on Greg’s shoulder. “Yes, they would have.”
For a second, everyone was quiet.
Azalea dabbed at her eyes. “Dang it, when I think about Hazel and our parents, part of me is sad they won’t be here, ya know.” She sniffed.
Greg reached for her hand.
She hugged him.
I suddenly wished so bad that they were all here too.
Greg cleared his throat. “Hazel always told Azalea that she’d know when the right one came along.”
“She was right,” Azalea said softly, her eyes finding mine. “I knew from that first morning at the lake house.”
“Even before you remembered who you were?” I asked, amazed.
She nodded. “Maybe especially then. When everything else was gone, it scared me how much I already wanted you with me.”
I pulled her close again, breathing in the scent of her hair. “I love you.”
She looked up at me. “I love you, too.”
Again, there was quiet among everyone.
Noah laughed. “Okay, we get it, you two are in love. Let’s get back to eating.”
Ella sniffed. “It’s beautiful.”
“It is,” my mother said. “But let’s make plans.”
I laughed and Azalea laughed.
My family swarmed around us, offering congratulations and hugs and my mother started in with the plans for the wedding.
It was perfect. We were perfect; this strange, wonderful, unexpected love that had crashed into our lives when we least expected it.
I kissed her and thought of how I’d found her on the side of the road in a storm, with no memory of who she was or where she was going.
And now we both knew exactly where we were meant to be—together.