Chapter 22
Five months later, Logan loaded up his trunk.
After a few failed attempts, he finally managed to fit the beach gear in.
Lake Michigan called his name. The sweltering summer air made the idea of walking along the beach at the Indiana Dunes that much more appealing.
With their busy schedules, this weekend happened to be the first both he and Brooke had free.
His parents and Danielle and her family were driving out to meet them for the day.
The twins were walking everywhere, and Danielle said she could only brave the beach with several extra hands in the mix.
Everyone wanted a break from the heat, and he knew a day out of the city was exactly what they needed.
Logan doubled checked everything before he slammed the trunk shut. Brooke entered the parking garage of his apartment building in her swimsuit and beach coverup on. Her beauty still made his pulse simmer and stomach do a somersault.
With a soda in one hand and a hand-held cooler in the other.
“I didn’t forget the drinks.” She took a swig of her soda as she crossed the rest of the garage to where he waited.
“My word, is this garage stuffy.” She stopped in front of him.
“Here.” Brooke handed him her half empty soda can then unzipped the small bag cooler.
“You look like you could use something cool to drink.”
“It’s terrible down here.” He leaned against the car and swiped at the sweat trickling down his temples. “This garage manages to trap all the heat. It makes me want to move out of the city.”
Brooke retrieved a soda then held it out to him. “Here, drink this. It always makes everything better.”
“Thanks.” Logan took the soda and handed hers back. He popped the top then chugged half the can without stopping. Then he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Gosh, that tastes good.” The condensation from the can cooled his fingers.
“I know.” Brooke gave him a satisfying smile as she brought her can of soda to her lips and took a sip. “What time are we meeting the crew?”
Over the last several months, Brooke had folded seamlessly into his family. He loved that she liked them as much as he did. And Danielle had taken her under her wing and stayed true to her word about being supportive of their relationship.
“Ten.” He closed the trunk with one hand while he cradled the soda in the other. “We wanted to beat the traffic, and Danielle said the twins will probably only last until the afternoon. But we can stay as long as we want. I thought it would be nice to stop for dinner on the way home.”
“Perfect.” Brooke fanned her face with her free hand. “Let’s get out of this stuffy and hot garage.”
They climbed in and drove out to Indiana Dunes.
On the way, Brooke texted Danielle with their arrival time.
His parents were coming with them in their van, but a car accident on the expressway meant they’d arrive about an hour later than them.
Logan and Brooke found a sandy spot on the beach, set up their chairs and umbrellas and waited for his family to arrive.
Other people filled in on the sand, but the beach remained calm and peaceful.
They held hands as they stared out at the water.
The sun rose higher and the water sparkled beneath its rays.
Wind nipped at them. Eventually, Brooke dug a hat out of her bag and put it on.
Logan readjusted the umbrella to keep them from being fried from the sun.
“I don’t ever remember going to the beach with family.” Brooke said, breaking the silence. “I can’t even say I ever went anywhere fun with my mom. Anything normal—I could get used to days like this.”
“Me too.” Logan interlaced his fingers with hers again and squeezed. He watched a family play in the waves. “There’s so much more I want to do with you, show you. I know things weren’t good in your childhood, but I believe I can show you there’s a second chance to experience the things you missed.”
“I know.” Brooke shifted to face him. “I appreciate it.”
A brush of wind made the sand dance across their ankles. Gosh, Brooke looked gorgeous. He wanted to show her everything, restore her faith in families. He’d give her anything she named, because he loved her more every day. He ran his thumb in circles over the top of hers.
Logan locked eyes with her. “Marry me.”
Startled, Brooke paused. “Are you being serious?” Her curious gaze slid across his face.
“Yes.” Logan leaned in closer. “I’m completely serious. Marry me.”
Brooke nervously laughed. “Are you proposing to me right now? On a beach, when I have a ridiculous straw hat on?” She shook her head. “Do you even have a ring?”
“No.” He dropped his hand from hers and ran it through his hair.
“But we can stop on the way back to the city at a jewelry shop. I’ll google a place.
You can pick out whatever ring you want, because you make me happy.
I love you, and I can’t imagine my life without you.
Please say yes. Please say you want to spend the rest of your life with me. ”
“I mean—I don’t even know what to say.” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “I’m worried this is simply you being impulsive.”
“I’m being anything but that.” Logan brought both of her hands into his own. “I’ve wanted to ask you to marry me for a good two months, but I didn’t want to scare you off. Am I scaring you off now?”
“Surprisingly, no.”
“Then marry me and I promise to make you happy. I promise I’ll work every day to build something beautiful with you.”
“Well,” a slow smile crept across her face, “how can I resist that? Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Logan leaped out of his seat and practically heaved Brooke to her feet.
Then he removed her large hat and leaned in and kissed her.
His heart soared as he held her close. She tasted equal parts sweet and delectable.
He memorized the feeling of her tucked in against him, the length of her jaw, and hair tangled up in his fingertips.
Logan knew this time he had it right. A loaf of bread and a package of Oreos had changed the entire course of his life.
Danielle out of nowhere loudly cleared her throat.
“Alright you two.” They stopped kissing and peered in her direction.
Dad and Michael were loaded down with beach stuff while Danielle and Mom each held a twin.
“We get that you two can’t get enough of each other.
” Danielle set Amelia down on the sand. “But come on, this is a family place.”
Mom smiled. “Please don’t stop on our account.” She placed Lily on the sand next to Amelia. “I like seeing my son happy and in love.”
Brooke chuckled and loosened her grip around his waist.
Danielle removed the bag of sand toys from her shoulder and dumped the entire contents on the sand in front of her twins. Dad and Michael dumped their stuff, and each went to work setting up chairs.
Logan exchanged a glance with Brooke.
Then he blurted out, “We’re getting married.”
Danielle’s mouth dropped open. Dad and Michael stopped their set up and stared.
Mom clapped her hands together. “Oh, my.” She raced over to them and threw her arms around both of them. “This is the best day ever.”
Dad came over and slapped him on the back. “Congrats, you two.”
“Sorry to break up this love fest.” They broke apart. Danielle pointed at Brooke’s finger. “Where’s the ring? I thought that was the biggest part of getting engaged.” She placed a hand on her hip. “Come on baby brother, I used to think you were sharp.”
“I told Brooke,” He tugged her close, “we’ll stop at a jewelry store on the way home, and she can pick out whatever ring she wanted. I was worried she wouldn’t like what I picked out.”
“Ahh,” Danielle said knowingly. “I see.”
“I have a friend who is a jeweler,” Michael piped in. “I can text you his info, he’ll give you a good deal.”
“Great.” Logan kissed Brooke on her temple. “I’d appreciate it.”
“Fine, but the ring had better be big.” Danielle held out her hand, revealing her sparkly diamond. “It still makes me happy every time I look at it. I know it shouldn’t matter, but it does.”
Brooke laughed. “I don’t care what size it is. Promise.”
“No, no.” Danielle wagged a finger. “My brother had better not be cheap.”
“Hey,” Logan said. “I’m right here, and I won’t be cheap.”
“Good,” Danielle said like she was satisfied. “Because you deserve it, and more, for taking this guy off our hands.”
“Danielle,” Logan said with a warning tone.
Then the twins started crying. His family sprang into action and found something different for them to play with.
They worked together to set up his family’s chairs and umbrellas.
Later, once they had eaten lunch, Logan led Brooke down to the water’s edge for a minute alone.
The water raced over their feet and nipped at their ankles.
They stared out at the glistening water.
“I’m sorry I didn’t exactly give you a romantic proposal.” He ran a hand down the length of his face. “I was caught up in the moment but can do a redo after we buy the ring.”
Brooke squeezed his hand. “Absolutely not.” She peered over her shoulder back to where his family sat on the sand. The twins dumped buckets of sand on their heads. “I love you. I don’t want to wait another minute to have that ring on my finger.”
“I love you back. No more waiting.” Logan leaned in and kissed her.
A refreshing breeze drifted between them. The sunshine made his skin tickle. Brooke smoothed out the front of his shirt then patted his chest.
Her eyes sparkled with the light of the sun. “It’s the perfect day.” Brooke tugged her gaze away from him and out to the water.
“Agree.” Logan grinned. “The perfect day.”
“I’ll remember it always.”
The water splashed around their ankles. “Me too.” Logan kissed her on the temple then wrapped an arm around her waist.
Brooke laughed. “I can’t believe they still don’t know our whole arrangement was only supposed to be until Aubrey and Ian’s wedding.”
“I know.” Logan chuckled too, then twisted to peer over his shoulder to his family. Then he twisted back. “But I’d like to keep it our secret if that’s okay.”
“Sure.” Brooke wrapped her arm around his waist. “Maybe we hold off and tell them at our golden anniversary. You’d better believe it would bring both shock and awe.”
“I love it.” His lips twitched.
“Me too.” Brooke fingers dipped into the stretch of skin between his swimsuit trunks and his shirt. “But you have to promise me that you’ll never let us run out of Oreos.”
“Uh, duh.” He stole a quick peck. “That’s a given.”
“Promise to buy me hot French bread when I crave it?”
“Absolutely.” He kissed her on her cheek. “I’ll eat the rest if you don’t finish it.”
Brooke rested her head on his shoulder and blissfully sighed. “Then I have a feeling we’re going to be just fine.”
“I think so too.”