37. Jace
Jace
One year! Somehow it has been a full year since I met Harper.
We are back where it all began—the annual Berry Festival is in full swing.
The wood splitting contest starts in five minutes.
Blake is back for a rematch, and my brother is on leave, so he popped down to join in the festivities and spend a few days with me before he returns to his new assignment.
Really, he’s just jonesing to dethrone me as the reigning champ.
Sorry, little bro, I have no intentions of letting that happen, especially today.
The spa is offering a free massage again, and like hell am I letting Harper bestow that on another man. “You ready, gramps?” my brother ribs, taking up the spot next to me.
“Neither of you have a chance.” Blake smiles before reaching behind his head and pulling his shirt off. His tanned chest and abs on full display. I swear, I hear women swoon from the sidelines. He turns to the crowd, offering a small bow before running his hands through his blonde hair.
“There is no way I’m losing to Ken Barbie or my baby brother,” I declare while laughing.
The banter helps steady my nerves. Win or lose, today is going to be special.
What no one except Wren and Bree know is that I plan to propose to Harper from the platform after the event.
Winning and doing it during the award presentation is ideal, but we have a backup plan, on the off chance that I lose.
“Contestants to your marks,” Paul calls into a new megaphone, and everyone grimaces at his booming voice.
That man does not need assistance to amplify his voice; it carries through any space already.
“Get set, CHOP!” Just like last year, it’s utter chaos.
The sound of axes hitting wood, bits of bark and wood shavings shooting all over the place, the smell of fresh hewn wood in the air.
It’s electrifying. For a minute, all the stress and worry of a proposal is forgotten.
I zero in on the task and let my muscles do the job they have done countless times before.
A piercing moooooonnkk of a foghorn blasts, signaling the end of the competition.
High schoolers in football shirts run out and start the task of tallying the wood.
I eye my pile, comparing it to the contestants around me.
It’s going to be a close call. Blake’s pile looks ominously large.
I glare at it, willing mine to be more, and suddenly, plan B doesn’t sound nearly as good. I want to win.
Harper and Wren take the stage to present the award and massage.
Harper shoots me a wink, and I blow a kiss to her, loving how her cheeks still go pink for me.
Wren jabs her, saying something that makes her face turn even redder.
Paul steps back up with a piece of paper in hand, waving it at the crowd.
“Quiet down, everyone,” he starts, loving the way he commands the crowd, “we had quite the competition today, and the results are a first, we have a tie!” The crowd erupts into cheers as everyone shouts at once.
Some demanding a recount, some speculating who it is, others just yelling to yell.
Lizzie is jumping and spinning in circles, loving the noise of the crowd.
Bree gives me a nod and smiles—she’s ready.
Deep breath, please call my name, I think.
Maybe I should have bribed someone to make sure I get the win.
“Blake Turner and Jace McConnell, please come to the stage!” Harper jumps up and down on the stage, cheering for me with Wren right alongside her. “This is a first, so we might need to do a tie breaker or maybe rock paper scissors for the win?” He laughs into the megaphone.
This is it, I step forward and shout to the crowd, “Since I won last year, I’ll let Blake take the free massage from Wren,” I say Wren’s name with extra emphasis, making everyone laugh, knowing I wouldn’t go for Harper touching my friend.
“I have something else in mind for a prize.” My heart hammers in my chest as I walk toward Harper.
Lizzie runs to me, handing me the ring box as I drop onto one knee.
Tears pool in Harper’s eyes that are glued to me.
Everything else falls away, the sounds of the people, the eyes watching us—it’s just me and her.
“Harper Grace Murphy, the last year has felt like a dream. From the moment I saw you at this event, I have been inexplicably drawn to you, and those feelings have only grown with time. Every single moment with you has made that pull stronger. I love you so much, and I don’t want to spend a single day without you and Lizzie at my side. Will you marry me?”
She’s already nodding, dropping to her knees in front of me.
My mouth finds hers and the crowd goes wild, the cheers deafening.
“Yes, Jace, of course, I’ll marry you!” She kisses me again, tears streaming down her face.
I slide the ring onto her finger and she gasps.
Wren and Bree helped me design it. A jeweler in Portland created the custom ring for me.
It’s a one-carat diamond, cradled in four prongs that look like vines weaving down to the band, with tiny sapphires dotting along the vines, acting as leaves.
Wren is a genius; her drawing captured exactly what I wanted.
Standing, I pull Harper off the ground with me and bring Lizzie into our hug.
Ready to be out of the limelight, I lead my family off the platform to the group huddled there waiting to congratulate us.
I don’t try to fight the smile on my face as I look at our friends.
Blake is holding a sobbing Wren. Maia and Bennett are off to the side with Shaina and Daniel who are beaming like proud parents.
Bree is standing at the front of the group, hands clasped at her chest, eyes brimming with tears, and my brother…
my brother is staring at Bree with way too intense of a stare.
I huff a small laugh, Harper eyes me, but I’m saved by Bree rushing over.
“I’m so happy for you, Harper!” She pulls Harper in for a hug, the two holding each other.
Two friends that have become more like sisters over the years.
I hope Bree knows she’s a part of our family too, and nothing will ever change that.
I’m forever grateful that the universe brought her into Harper’s life when she needed it the most. I watch each person we love congratulate us and fawn over the ring, so much joy and laughter.
After we make the rounds, Harper pulls me to the side.
The smile hasn’t left her face since she said yes.
“Let’s call your parents!” I’m so grateful for the way she has taken to my family, and I love that she’s so quick to make sure they’re included.
As I got on the platform, I had a small stab of regret not asking them to be here, too.
I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to hide their enthusiasm and give it away.
Now, I just wish they had been here to see.
They answer the video chat request on the first ring, Harper gasps, and I nearly drop my phone when I spot the Berry Festival sign in the background.
Whirling back toward the platform, I can’t believe my eyes.
They’re here. My folks and Maddy, grinning like dorks, and my heart might burst. Mom is laughing and clapping, Dad’s about as happy as Dad lets on outwardly, smiling slightly, and Maddy, welp, Maddy is giving me a one finger wave as she swipes away tears.
Harper goes to grab Lizzie while I meet my folks. “How the heck did you know? I didn’t even tell Caleb, because that boy can’t keep his mouth shut even if you used duct tape.”
“A little birdie called us yesterday morning.” Mom winks then waves to someone. I turn to find Bree returning that wave with a conspiratorial grin on her face. I mouth, thank you, to her. She nods then turns, giving us space.
“There they are! My soon to be daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Grammy, it has a nice ring, doesn’t it?” Mom asks no one in particular.
“Let’s see how my brother did picking a ring,” Maddy states, stepping closer to Harper, while Mom fusses over the rock Lizzie is showing her.
“He did so good, I can’t stop looking at it!” Harper laughs, wiggling her finger toward my sister.
“Not buying it, he had help,” Maddy jokes.
“It was my idea, but Wren lent me her artistic ability to create a drawing for the jeweler that Bree knows. So, technically, I had help, but I think I deserve some props for the concept.”
Maddy bats another tear, glaring at me. She hates crying and hates it even more if she’s in public. She says she will not contribute to the stereotype of weeping women and all that bullshit.
I hug my sister and pull my brother, who finally tore himself from Bree’s side, to join us. “Welcome to the family, Harper.” Caleb gives her a hug, then is waylaid by Mom who is scolding him for something.
“You did good, son, I’m proud of you.” My dad, quiet and stoic as always, envelops me in a big bear hug, and I swear there is a catch in his voice. Swallowing over the sudden lump, I return his hug. Can anyone see their dad cry and not choke up?
“I’m so happy you all were here. Can I treat you to a strawberry tart? They are divine and a must at the Berry Festival,” Harper gushes, and I can’t contain the laugh at her undying love for those things.
“Not necessary,” I say, laughing harder at the mutinous glare it receives.
I hold my hands up in surrender and take a giant step back.
“Easy, Harper, not necessary because of that.” I point to the picnic tables our friends are gathered around.
They part, revealing platters loaded with strawberry tarts and lemonade.
“Jace!” Harper cries, tears falling again. “You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”
“I just know my girl, well, girls, there’s a platter of brownies and purple candies for my other girl.” The love shining in her eyes takes my breath away, and I know I will spend every waking moment for the rest of my life trying to earn that look again and again.