Chapter 21
Four months later
B en put a hand up to shield his eyes from the sun and scanned the horizon. From this far up, the landscape stretched for miles in every direction, all rolling green hills and limestone rock faces in this part of the Flint Hills. They’d hiked up from the base of a hill two miles back, and when they returned, they’d have lunch at a bed and breakfast in the nearby town. The day trip was a perfect escape from their daily routine, and it was also perfect for what he had planned next.
When he’d sent out his employee policy changes to his staff a few months ago, he’d said the new rules would be strictly enforced for everyone, and that included himself. All employees had their paid time off doubled, and he required that the time be taken off each year. He’d also purchased a gym and spa membership for everyone, increased their half-hour lunch breaks to an hour, and instituted a half-day schedule on Fridays. No one had complained about the changes so far.
The staff of The Well Space could only function if they were well themselves, he’d told them in the staff memo. From now on, he expected everyone to prioritize their own health as much as their patients’.
A rustling behind him on the trail made him turn his head. Nell emerged around the corner of the path, cradling a tall, thin plant dotted with buds. She’d wrapped the ball of dirt and roots at the base of the plant in her windbreaker.
Her ponytail swung back and forth as she made her way over to him, and she flashed him a grin that made his chest hurt.
He turned the small velvet box in his pocket over and over between his fingers.
“It’s a larkspur,” she said, holding up the plant. “I wanted to add it to the garden at home. There’s a whole field over there, so hopefully it’s okay to take one. When they bloom, they’re all different shades of pink and purple. Wouldn’t they look nice out by the fountain?”
“That sounds perfect.” He slid an arm around her waist, pulling her close.
She turned her face up to his and planted a quick kiss on his mouth. “And you’re feeling all right?”
“Fine.” Since they’d moved in together two months ago, he’d had more good days than bad. Some days were harder, with more anxiety, but her support never wavered, and it never would. Some days, he worked from home, and he didn’t give himself a hard time about it. Most days, anxiety didn’t get the best of him, and he went to work to help other people who might be facing the same thing.
And some other days, days like today, were glorious and perfect. Today, he could have hiked another two miles, out here in the bright sun and wide-open fields.
“Should we head back down the hill?” she asked.
“Before we go, there’s one more plant I think you should have.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “What is it? I probably shouldn’t take too many— Oh.”
Ben had pulled the ring box out of his pocket, flipped it open, and held it out to her. She stared at it, then her eyes flew to his face. All his prepared words left his head, and he could only stand there and take in her expression of shocked happiness.
Her hand, the one not holding the plant, flew up to cover her mouth. “It’s beautiful.”
She stared at the ring, but didn’t take it out of his hand. The emeralds had been cut and arranged to Ben’s exact specifications by the jeweler.
“Is that a ficus leaf?” she asked, reaching her hand out.
“It is a ficus. I knew you’d recognize it. It reminds me of the first time I went out in the van with you.”
Her eyes sparkled up at him, gray and bright all at once. “I kidnapped you out of your house.”
“You knew what I needed. You’ve always known.” He swallowed. Tried to remember the speech he’d planned for this very important moment. “Nell, I’m sorry. I forgot everything I was supposed to say. I only know I love you. And if you would be my wife, I would be so completely—”
She threw her arms around him, smudging dirt all over his jacket from the uprooted larkspur plant. “Yes. I will. I’ll be your wife. I love it. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Forever.”
She let go of him long enough for him to slide the ring on her finger. He bent his head to kiss the woman he loved.
There would be many more days, good ones and bad ones. But today was his best day.
A moment later, she held out her hand, studying the ring.
“For a minute there, I wasn’t sure if you were going to ask me,” she said, her tone teasing.
“If you’d rather wait, I can take it back.” Ben reached for her hand, as if to take the ring.
She jerked her arm away. “Oh, no. It’s mine now. You’ll have to catch me if you want it back.”
She turned and took off down the path at a jog. Laughing, Ben ran after her.