36. Epilogue
Epilogue
Three months later
“Where are we going?” I asked, tripping over a root in Grey’s determination to drag me up the mountain.
I’d been late meeting him at the trailhead, distracted by my yoga research. I’d started classes to get my teaching certification and was constantly getting sucked down research rabbit holes as I learned about different poses and their benefits.
“We’re going to miss it,” Grey muttered, continuing to pull me forward.
“Miss the mountain? I don’t think it’s going anywhere. Though we probably should have brought flashlights. It’s getting dark,” I said, noting how dusk was settling in. While I was doing better at handling my fears of driving at night, hiking in the dark did not appeal for a whole slew of different reasons.
Grey growled and pulled me along faster, making me laugh and gasp a little as we continued up the trail. While I had hiked more this summer than in years past, my lungs and calves were still getting used to the steep inclines and elevation changes that came with hiking in Utah.
“Maybe we could slow down,” I panted after a particularly steep stretch. My lungs burned, and a stitch in my side begged to be massaged.
“Just a little further.”
I did my best to keep up but fell behind, my muscles screaming for a slower pace.
Grey suddenly stopped, waiting for me to join him before gesturing to a rock outcropping that overlooked the valley.
“We’re here!”
I glanced around, taking in my surroundings. At this spot, the trail hugged the bend of the mountain, providing a wide-open view of Utah Valley below.
“It’s the valley.” I nodded, unsure what I was looking at and confused why we weren’t continuing to follow the trail. The trees below were just starting to change colors, hinting that summer was ending. I knew from past hiking experience that another mile up the trail, we’d find a waterfall. Why Grey felt this view of houses outranked a waterfall tonight, I had no idea.
Grey grabbed my hand and led me to the rock outcropping.
“Exactly. And that,” he pointed to a field a few miles away dotted with construction equipment, “is what I wanted to show you.”
“Okay…” I trailed off.
“I’m working that job site right now.”
“That’s good.” I nodded, trying to understand what the big deal was. Grey had worked on several sites since we’d started dating. He loved talking me through what he was doing and the results of his work, and I loved knowing these jobs kept him close and gave him purpose.
“That’s where I’m going to build a house.”
I nodded again, still not following. Grey primarily worked home construction jobs. I had no idea what made this one special.
“I’d love your thoughts on the design. I’m thinking three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms at least. An open concept with a large kitchen, plenty of space for baking cookies. An office that could be turned into a yoga studio.”
“All of that sounds amazing. The future homeowner has excellent taste.”
Grey paused, a crooked grin stealing across his face before he reached for my hand. “I might be biased, but I think so.”
He turned me to face him, tipping my chin up to look at him.
“Audrey, that house isn’t just for anyone. It’s going to be mine. I finalized purchase of the plot today.”
My breath caught in my throat as his words registered. “Seriously?”
At Grey’s nod, I threw my arms around his neck in excitement, pulling him down for a quick, celebratory kiss.
“That’s amazing! You’re going to own a house.” I turned to look at the field once more, just barely able to make out the plot in the fading light.
Grey pulled me back into his chest, resting his chin on my shoulder. “If all goes according to plan, I hope I can share it with you someday.”
“I could be persuaded to make that happen, when the time is right.”
Someday, probably a few more months down the road, once Grey and I had a little more dating under our belts, he’d ask me a question that I already knew the answer to. A question I could picture him asking right here on one knee. It was a question we’d talked about, but Grey was smart enough to know I needed a little more time. So much had changed so quickly, and while I was doing better at being flexible and brave, I still had my moments of overwhelm. Thankfully, with Grey and his gentle coaxing, I found myself more able to meet life’s unexpected turns head on.
My cheeks ached from smiling as I settled back against Grey and enjoyed the moment, the last specks of light fading and the stars coming out to wink at us. Life would bring more adventures and wandering. I’d probably even get lost from time to time, my anxiety leading me astray. But I knew no matter where life took us, for me Grey would always be home.
The End