16. Chapter 16 Daisy
Chapter 16: Daisy
S omething's up with my mountain man.
Marcus has been oddly distracted lately, spending extra time in his workshop and having whispered conversations with the others that stop when I enter the room. Even the dogs seem to be in on whatever it is. Scout keeps stealing my shoes and leading me to weird places.
Like now.
"Really?" I put my hands on my hips as Scout drops my work boot by Marcus's newest carving. "That's the third time today."
The dog just wags his tail, looking mighty pleased with himself.
I examine the piece while retrieving my boot. It's different from his usual work, smaller, more intricate. A pair of wolves running through a storm, finding shelter together.
"It's beautiful," I tell Scout. "But you're still a shoe thief."
He woofs softly, then trots off to wherever Luna's hiding. Those two are definitely plotting something.
The Trading Post is quiet this morning, just Old Joe in his usual spot by the stove. He's been smirking into his coffee all week.
"You could just tell me what everyone's up to," I suggest.
"Could." He takes another sip. "Won't."
"Traitor."
His chuckle follows me to the back room where I'm cataloging Marcus's latest pieces. His work has evolved since we got together – wilder but softer somehow. Like he's finally letting his soul show through the wood.
My phone buzzes. Jake asking if Marcus is here. Workshop. Plotting something. You know what it is? I answer.
His response makes me suspicious: Can you check on him??
Should I be worried?
Nah. Just brotherhood stuff. He replies.
Right. Because that's not suspicious at all.
I head up to Marcus's workshop, planning to investigate, but the sight of him working stops me in the doorway.
He's shirtless despite the autumn chill, sawdust clinging to sweat-dampened skin as he carves. The scars I've memorized with my fingers catch morning light. He's muttering to himself, completely lost in creation.
God, I love him.
"You're staring." His voice is gravel-rough.
"You're worth staring at."
He looks up, grey eyes softening the way they only do for me. "C'mere."
His hands are gentle despite their calluses as he pulls me close.
"Hi." I kiss his chest, right over his heart.
"Hi yourself." He buries his face in my hair. "Missed you."
"Saw me an hour ago."
"Too long."
I melt a little. He's not normally this openly affectionate during work hours.
"Everything okay?" I trace his scars. "You've been... different lately."
His heart speeds up under my fingers. "Different how?"
"Distracted.”
He laughs roughly. "Noticed that, huh?"
"Hard to miss." I pull back to study his face. "Want to tell me what's going on?"
Something flashes in his eyes – nervousness? Before he can answer, his phone buzzes.
It's Jake again. Marcus reads the message and relaxes slightly.
"Come up the mountain with me?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Now?"
"Now." He kisses me softly. "Please?"
"Okay."
He helps me into his truck like I'm something precious. The dogs appear from wherever they've been hiding, jumping in the back like they've been waiting for this.
We drive up to his cabin, our cabin now, really. I practically live here already, my clothes mixed with his, my coffee mug next to his workbench.
But he doesn't stop at the cabin. Keeps going up the old logging road to the overlook. He leads me to the edge where the whole valley spreads below us. The Trading Post is visible, and beyond it the town we've made our home.
Scout drops something at my feet.
"Really?" I laugh. "This is what all the shoe theft was about?"
But there's something in the boot. Something small and wrapped in soft cloth.
My heart stops.
"Daisy." Marcus's voice is rough as he takes the package from my shaking hands. "Look at me."
I do. He's holding a ring in a small box. Wild things dance in the wood grain, protecting the diamonds.
"What?"
He takes my hand. "I saved it from the fire. It was my grandmothers ring."
Tears blur my vision. "Marcus."
"I'm not good with words." His fingers tremble slightly. "But I'm good with wood. With stories. And our story, well, Daisy, you make me want impossible things. Make them possible."
"Yes."
His laugh is shaky. "Didn't ask yet."
"Don't care." I pull him close. "Yes. Always yes."
He kisses me hard, pouring everything into it. When we break apart, he's smiling like dawn.
"Let me do this right." He sinks to one knee, still holding my hand. "Daisy. My impossible woman. Will you marry me?"
"Yes." I'm crying and laughing as he slides the ring on. "God, yes."
He stands, pulling me into his arms. The dogs bark excitedly, breaking the moment.
And from the trees comes applause.
The mountain men emerge, grinning. Jake's filming with his phone while Cole and Finn pop champagne bottles.
"Told you she'd say yes," Jake calls.
I bury my face in Marcus's chest, laughing. "How long have you all been plotting this?"
"Weeks." Marcus kisses my temple. "Especially figuring out how to get you here today."
"We had to get you up here somehow," Cole said.
"The dogs were very committed to their mission," Finn adds.
I look around at these men – my family now. At the dogs prancing proudly. At the ring that combines my past with his craft.
At my mountain man, smiling like I've never seen.
"Happy?" he murmurs.
I rise on tiptoes, bringing our foreheads together. "Perfect."
And it is.