Epilogue
“ Y ou got me?” I yell down to Mac, who’s wading in the creek, waiting for me to jump.
We’re having a little Grill and Chill for his birthday, and it’s probably the last time we’ll swim in the creek this year.
It’s still pretty warm out, but the nights are getting cooler, which means the creek is cooling down too.
Mac ducks under the water then pops back up and nods, holding his arms out for me.
I swing back and forth one more time and then when I reach the right spot Mac yells “Now,” and I jump into the creek with him.
It’s still not my favorite thing to do, but I’m trying to jump in more and more because it really is so much fun.
The icy water causes my skin to break out in goosebumps, and Mac rubs his hands up and down my arms to warm me up.
“Come on, baby, let’s go warm up by the fire. I think the swimming season is officially over.”
I nod and we wade out of the water together.
He takes my hand and helps me up the hill to the camping area.
We grab towels and join our friends, who are talking anim atedly about something that happened at the job site.
The job site is what they’ve been calling the building they’re renovating for the restaurant.
Mac has been helping, even more than what his community service required, and things are coming together nicely. They’re hoping to open next June.
I look over at Mac, who rolls his eyes but then gives me a panty melting smile and I instantly don’t feel so cold from the creek anymore.
2 years later - June 21
I take in the smell of pine and fresh water as I look over the waterline to watch the sun come down.
My phone in hand, I raise it to take some photos and then turn back to wave to my friends.
I wanted to get a picture of all of us to post on Austin and Blake’s social media to celebrate their first anniversary of being open.
I don’t see Mac, but I squint and realize I see my parents heading this way on a quad. That’s odd.
I turn back to the creek and take a few more photos but when I hear footsteps, I look behind me again, hoping it’s Mac and our friends.
We’re going to miss the perfect lighting if they take much longer.
Mac is walking toward me with a smile on his face.
He’s in swim trunks but he threw on his T-shirt that his muscles fill out nicely.
“Tell the others to hurry. We’re going to miss golden hour.” I look over his shoulder at our friends who are standing around the camp area watching us but not making a move toward us. And then Mac lowers down on one knee.
“Oh, my god.” I drop my phone to cover my mouth as tears fill my eyes.
“MJ, I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now.
In fact, you’d probably think I was crazy, but I knew I wanted to marry you since we were twelve and I learned what marriage meant.
Back then, I figured you were my best friend and the only teammate I ever wanted to have forever.
Now, I know that part is true but more than that, I want to be your friend, teammate, partner in crime.
” I sniff and fail miserably at holding back the tears.
“I want to be your everything, because you’re already mine. ”
I nod and lean toward him, wanting to kiss him. He shakes his head and continues.
“I’ve had this ring in my pocket since we broke ground on our house last year.
” I gasp, realizing what he’s saying. We struggled to find a house for sale in Oakridge and when we went to talk to my dad, he suggested we build our house on part of his land.
We broke started building last spring just before the restaurant opened, so he’s had this ring for well over a year.
“I was never sure when it would be the right time to ask you. Hell, I almost said fuck it and carried you to town hall.”
I laugh and he smirks at me. His eyes are shining with emotion as he continues, “But I realized life was always going to be busy and there would never be a perfect time. So, I figured why not at the start of summer? The two-year anniversary of our first kiss and the day you really b ecame mine.” My chin wobbles as the tears flow down my cheeks.
“I think you’ve been mine for much longer than two years, but I’d like it very much if you promise to be mine for the rest of our lives.
Emmalynn Jane, MJ, will you please marry me?
” I look at him, eyes shining with his own tears, and nod frantically.
I fall onto the ground with him and grab his cheeks, pulling him into me and kissing him deeply.
Clapping erupts from up the hill, and I pull away, peeking over his shoulder to see our family and friends watching the whole thing.
Even Mac’s parents are there, standing next to mine.
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.”
Mac pulls the ring from the box and slips it onto my finger. An oval diamond surrounded by wildflowers etched into the metal sits heavily on my ring finger.
“It’s perfect.” I hug him tightly and smile at our friends over his shoulder, thankful that they were all here to be a part of this special moment.
8 years later - June 29
“Jameson Macdonald, don’t you dare!” I yell at my son, who is barreling toward the rope swing swaying in the breeze over the creek.
He just turned seven and, of course, he’s heard all the stories about his father and uncles jumping off the swing and into the creek.
Now James thinks he’s old enough to do the same.
Mac walks up next to me and hands our three-year-old daughter, Lorelei Jane over to me.
I ad just LJ on my hip, and Mac kisses my cheek.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll get in and be ready to catch him, just like I caught you ten years ago.”
I beam up at him and shake my head. “You caught me way before then, you just didn’t know it.”
Mac smirks at me and then jogs down to the creek to teach our little boy how to jump in, heart first.