Epilogue
Smith
The Lookout is even more stunning than I imagined.
Fall slipped into winter and before we knew it, the warmth of spring and summer arrived.
Wildflowers bloom in all their glorious wonder, vibrant yellows, purples, blues, and pinks are sprinkled along the wide valley.
The stone ledge that overlooks the entire valley itself is picturesque, its overhang jutting out so far over the valley that it’s like you’re flying.
“This will be perfect.” If I breathe deeply, the sweet smell of the flowers below would engulf me.
Hank clasps me on the shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “I figured it would be,” he says softly. Hank and Darla quickly became some of my favorite people in Rose Prairie and their help has been instrumental in me being able to pull this off.
Being in a long-distance relationship has its hardships, sure, but the past seven months have been the best of my life. My weekends are spent traveling back and forth, but the drive is easy considering the woman who waits for me at the end of it.
Hank drives us back to the Rosebud and sends me off with a firm handshake.
The drive into town is now second nature, and I raise my hand in greeting as I pass pedestrians, something I never would’ve thought to do before. Cara has no idea I’m in town and the thought of her reaction seeing me here brings a smile to my face.
The bell dings as I step into the coffee shop, the smell of coffee surrounding me. I breathe in the rich aroma.
Eileen is working behind the counter, and she smiles in surprise. “Hey. I didn’t think you were going to be here this weekend.”
“That’s what Cara thinks,” I say with a wink. “Where is your beautiful boss, anyway?” I scan the storefront and don’t spot her hidden among the rows of bookshelves.
Eileen throws her thumb over her shoulder. “In her office.” I tap the counter and give her a quick thanks as I head down the hallway.
As usual, she’s tucked behind her desk, her nose to the screen as she types away on a calculator.
Her long hair is down today, a rare occasion, which is going to be perfect for pictures.
So engrossed in her task, Cara doesn’t notice me, so I take the time to admire her.
Her lips are parted slightly, and her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
How she manages to sit like that for hours on end, I’ll never know.
But it might explain why she’s always rolling her shoulders, something she still hasn’t managed to figure out she does.
We’ve gone through so much, and worked through so much, that our relationship today is leaps and bounds compared to what it was six years ago. No more running or hiding feelings. Well, I’m currently hiding something, but she’ll find out soon enough.
Something alerts her to my presence and she jumps in her seat, her hand flying over her heart as she gasps in shock.
“You asshole! You scared me.” Her words lack anger, a smile spreading across her mouth as she runs toward me and jumps into my arms. Her black skirt slips up her thighs as she hooks her legs around my waist. “I didn’t know you would be here today. ”
Her hair smells fruity from her shampoo and I breathe her in, planting a kiss on her neck. Cara pulls back, her hands running through my hair as she brings her mouth to mine. God, I hope I never get used to her kisses. Let every single one of them be as exciting as the first.
I gently set Cara back on her feet, my hands smoothing the hair from her face. “I missed you. Plus, I have a surprise.”
A dark eyebrow rises. “Should I be scared?”
“Maybe just a little,” I tease, my thumb and finger coming close together. “Can I pull you away from your work for the rest of the day?” Cara looks over to her desk, her tempting lips puckering in thought.
“Absolutely. My eyes are getting tired, anyway.” She steps out of my embrace, shutting down the computer and tidying her desk.
“I must have perfect timing.” My hand slips into my pocket and pulls out a blindfold. “Because I need you to wear this.”
She sighs and turns around so I can tie the blindfold. “You better not be doing anything stupid, big guy. I’ll have you know that I’m well prepared to kick your ass in whatever shenanigans you have planned.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” I laugh. “But I think you’ll like this.” Carefully I lead a blinded Cara down the hallway, out the door, and into the car.
The entire way to The Lookout, Cara guesses at what we’re doing, each one more ridiculous than the last.
“Nope,” I say again. “You’re not even close, Care.” The car comes to a stop in the empty dirt parking lot of The Lookout. “Plus, we’re here, so you might as well stop trying.” Cara throws her hands up, her mouth pouting adorably.
“Are you sure I didn’t get anything right?” She asks as I open her door.
“Give me a minute and you’ll see.” Grabbing her hands, I help her out of her seat and lead her to the edge of The Lookout. I spot the photographers I hired, one out in the field, the other ten feet away, her hand poised on the shutter.
Keeping her hand in mine, I gently lower myself onto one knee and suck in a steadying breath. “Okay. Take your blindfold off.”
“Finally,” she scoffs, tugging the blindfold roughly off her face.
Hair tangles in her face and she hurriedly swipes them away before she takes in the scene around her.
The rapid clicks of the camera catch every minute expression on her lovely face.
Her hand clasps over her open mouth, her honey eyes wide and brimming with tears.
“Cara,” I breathe. “From the day I met you, I knew you were the only woman for me. Even when we were apart, there’s been no doubt that you’re mine.
You fill the void in my heart. You’re the warmth in my chest, the brightest spot in my life.
Will you make me the luckiest man in the world and marry me? ”
Tears stream down both our faces as she nods her head. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”