51. Chapter 51
51
“ W here are we going?” I’m sitting blindfolded in Colt’s truck while he drives us to our date night destination. The last week has consisted of him having early mornings and late nights at work, and me spending my days with his mom. But tonight, she all but shoved us out the door, telling us we needed to start acting like a normal young couple. I can’t help but wonder if she’s secretly tired of us.
“We’re here. Stay there and I’ll come around to get you.” I do as I’m told and soon Colt is helping me out of the truck and grabbing my hand to guide me. “Just over here and then I’ll take it off.” We walk a few more steps on the uneven ground. “Ready?” Colt’s voice whispers into my ear, sending heatwaves down my spine.
“Yes.”
He drops the blindfold, and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust. Blinking a few times, everything comes into focus, leaving me thoroughly confused. “What are we doing here?” The job site I showed up at last week is in front of me, only this time it looks to be completely finished. “You didn’t bring me here to break into someone else’s house, did you?”
Colt’s low chuckle vibrates against my back. “If I remember correctly, we already broke in the house.” My cheeks burn and he holds his arm out for me to use as we make our way to the porch. The massive wraparound already has two rocking chairs in place.
We make our way inside and my jaw hits the floor. The open concept lets you see the whole main floor at once. Everything from the oak floors to the huge granite kitchen island. But the floor to ceiling windows are what draw my attention. The sunset invades the house, begging to be appreciated. Standing in front of them, my breath is taken away. The Mississippi River runs along the backside of the property. The rushing water roars in my ears as I open the sliding back door and I’m taken back to a night not too long ago, when Colt was showing me just how peaceful this same majestic river could be.
“You guys did so good.” I turn back to Colt. “This place is so beautiful.” I’m in complete awe of this place having been built from nothing. And Colt having a hand in it makes it that much more special.
“I’m glad you think so.” Colt saunters towards me and places two sets of keys on the counter. “I’ve built a lot of houses in my life, but this one is by far my favorite.” I search his eyes, trying to understand what he’s saying. But then he takes a knee and my heart stops.
“Libs, since the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew there was no going back for me. I had no idea what was in store for us, but there was never a doubt in my mind that we were meant to find each other.” I blink away the tears that threaten to blur my vision. “Life hasn’t been good to you. You’ve seen a lot the bad it has to offer. But all I want is to show you how beautiful it can be.”
Warm streams roll down my face, but I don't try to wipe them away.
“I want to wake up every morning and go to sleep every night with the promise that I get to have another day with you. And I swear to never take it for granted. To never take you for granted. I promise to always listen instead of talk and to ask instead of take. I’ll be your steady when you need to lean, and the current to keep you going. I’ll be whatever you need me to be, baby. There’s nothing I won’t do to earn your forever.” He pulls a ring from his pocket. “I have poured my heart and soul into this house, and would love to have the honor of pouring my heart and soul into you as we grow old in it.”
Colt tilts his head, as he has so many times before, so that I look directly into his whiskey eyes when he speaks. “Will you marry me?”
“This soon?” We’ve only known each other for three months and we still have so much to learn, but people have done crazier things.
Colt looks at me incredulously. “What better time is there?”
The words resonate deep in my soul. The story Leann told me about her and John. All the times before now when Colt has said those same words to me. We’ve been here all along. Our spirits were just waiting for us to catch up.
“What do you say, Libs?”
I kneel down in front of him and cup his face in my hands. “I say yes.”