Chapter 27
William
It had been a month since the mess with Angus.
Nairie was still recovering mentally from the ordeal, and she had to push back her project with Limitless Co.
until she felt strong enough. Luckily, their team was gracious in giving her enough leave.
They’d wait until whenever she was ready.
In the meantime, she’d been focusing her artistic efforts on her aunt’s painting.
It was therapeutic for her, and Lilit was coming by later today to visit the inn and pick it up.
What Nairie didn’t know was Elspeth was also stopping by for a surprise visit.
I was recovering from the ordeal as well.
I knew what I did was self-defense, but no matter how shitty Angus had been to me over the years, I still grappled with the guilt.
I started seeing the same therapist I had when I got out of the special forces, and it helped.
The hard days only made my love for Nairie grow.
She’s been by my side through it all now.
Today, I wanted to focus on the future. I’d taken time off from the inn and was packing a picnic for Nairie’s first visit to the Highlands. It was a special place with towering mountains and ocean views.
I leaned against the doorway of our second bedroom and watched as she added the finishing touches to Lilit’s painting. It was a beautiful depiction of Rebecca’s portrait in varying shades of periwinkle, the same shade as the dress she wore when Lilit had first met her.
I loved watching Nairie in her element. She had paint splattered across her hands and clothes, looking totally free and at ease.
She sensed me staring and turned her face toward me. Her long, raven hair was twisted at the back of her head, and her brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight streaming from the window.
She took my breath away, and my heart felt like it swelled at the sight of her smile. “Come on, love. We gotta get going.”
“Alright, I’ll get changed. I hope Aunt Lilit likes it.”
She made her way toward me, and I brought her close, kissing the top of her head. “Of course she will. Now, hurry up.”
We made our way onto the ferry to the Isle of Skye. The small box in my jacket pocket felt like it was burning a hole through the fabric, but I kept a cool head as Nairie chatted about her parents’ latest updates.
I’d made sure to fly back to California, unbeknownst to Nairie, to ask her father’s permission in person. Her parents were, of course, hesitant, but I made a pretty strong case and eventually got their blessing.
We hiked around the massive hillsides, taking in the views and breathing in the crisp air.
The smell promised that winter was around the corner.
It was nearing sunset, and we’d stopped to gaze at a waterfall cascading over a mountainside into the ocean beyond.
We sat on a rock, and Nairie got out a little sketchpad and started illustrating the landscape.
When she was almost done with it, I reached into my pocket and got on my knee.
Nairie was too busy sketching to have noticed, and I had to speak to get her attention. “Nairie?”
She hummed without looking up from her pad and continued gazing at the sunset to capture where the light touched the cliffs. When I didn’t respond, she looked back at me and realized what was happening. Her eyes widened.
“I know this may seem fast. We’ve only been officially dating for a few months now, but we’ve known each other for nearly our whole lives.
I don’t want to waste any more time. We belong to each other, and I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to realize what you figured out when you were seven, but I’m done waiting.
I want you to be my wife. I want a family with you.
I want it all. Will you marry me, love?”
Nairie got down to her knees to level her gaze with mine.
She grasped my hands, tears glittering in her eyes. “Yes. Of course.” She clutched my neck and wrapped me in a bone-crunching hug.
My heart soared, and I laughed at how strong she was for such a little thing.
She wouldn’t let go of me, and I had to gently pry her grip off me while I laughed. “Here, put this on and give me a kiss.”
She leaned back and silently watched as I put my ring on her finger. We stared at it wordlessly, and I rubbed the edge of the band. Everything inside me felt like it had fallen into place.
Placing her hands on my chest, she gave me a dazzling smile that beat the view. She was my sunset, and her glow would be one I would never forget.