8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Pete
The air is cool but not cold, the kind of crisp mountain breeze that carries the scent of pine and fresh earth. Stella’s hand is warm in mine as we climb the final stretch of the trail, the packed dirt giving way to smooth rock beneath our boots. She doesn’t know what’s waiting for her at the top, doesn’t know that my heart has been hammering against my ribs all morning in anticipation. She thinks we’re just revisiting the spot of our first date, as we have so many times since then.
We step onto the overlook, and the world opens up in front of us. Rolling hills stretch into the horizon, the valley below painted in hues of green and gold, touched by the early evening light. I hear her intake of breath, that little gasp of wonder she always makes when she sees something beautiful.
“Pete,” she murmurs, squeezing my hand. “It’s always breathtaking, no matter how many times I see it.”
I let go just long enough to turn her toward me. The spot is perfect. A plaid blanket is spread out near the ledge, a lantern flickering softly beside it, a thermos of her favorite tea waiting. Simple. Quiet. Us.
Her gaze flickers to the setup, and a slow smile spreads across her lips. “Recreating our first date again?”
I nod, swallowing against the tightness in my throat. “Maybe.”
She moves closer, wrapping her arms around me. “It’s perfect.”
I take a steadying breath. It’s time.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the small, worn box I’ve been carrying for weeks now, waiting for the right moment. I bought it the day after we first made love, but I’ve waited to give it to her, not wanting to rush things. Still, most of the town gossips will say we’ve rushed into this, since we’ve only been together a couple of months. But they’re wrong. True love doesn’t have to develop slowly. Sometimes, a person can just know, with everything in him, in the blink of an eye.
Dropping to one knee feels natural, like this was always the plan. Stella gasps again, her hands flying to her mouth, eyes wide and shining.
“Stella Lawson,” I say, my voice rough but certain. “I never thought I’d want to come down from this mountain, or want more than the quiet life I built for myself. But then there was you.”
Her breath hitches, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
“I love you. And that means I’ll have to spend more time in town, with people, with noise.” I let out a short chuckle. “But I’m still a recluse at heart. So, I was thinking. . . maybe we get married right here. Just us, the mountains, and our closest friends. No crowds. No fuss. Just you and me. But I’m getting ahead of myself. . .” I take a deep breath to steady my nerves. “Stella, will you marry me?”
A tear slips down her cheek, but her smile is radiant. “Are you serious?”
I pop the box open, revealing the simple but elegant ring nestled inside. “Dead serious.”
She drops to her knees in front of me, laughter bubbling past her lips as she throws her arms around my neck. “Yes, my wonderful mountain man. A thousand times, yes.”
Relief crashes through me, and I wrap her up in my arms, holding on tight. And nothing has ever felt more right.