Chapter Eighteen
Three weeks had passed. And Matt had taken dating to a new level.
They went to restaurants, a couple of dances; she helped him with the planning of the tree-lighting ceremony on the square.
They watched movies with popcorn on the couch along with Jillie…
and sometimes without her. She helped shop for gifts for his family and for Jillie.
And then as she watched the tall tree lit with its hundreds of lights, returned greetings with so many more people she had met in Destiny, and found the many places Matt had found to place mistletoe, that a thought hit her.
I love Christmas!
How much difference a year had made in her feelings about the holidays. And it had come because Annie had told her stories of a place called Destiny’s River. And she had sent her on her last request to come back to that town. The day had come.
The small group gathered on top of the hill on the Lockwood Ranch.
The day was cold, but the sun shone. They had decided on the hour before sunset because that was Annie’s favorite part of the day.
She had said that was when Joseph had proposed.
There was a prayer by the Parkers’ pastor.
‘Amazing Grace’—her favorite hymn—was sung.
And Cade reiterated the love story between his grandfather and the love of his life.
That was when the small box was opened, and the breeze seemed to cooperate.
Annie’s ashes floated free over the side of the hill and then higher across the valley toward the setting sun.
Cade had shared with her earlier that his grandfather had a headstone in the family cemetery, but his ashes had been set free right before sunset in the same spot years before.
Ally liked to think he was there waiting to soar with his love at last. Her tears were joyful at that moment.
She had grieved tears of sadness when Annie left her.
Now, all she could feel was grateful and happy for the woman who gave her the map to find her own true love.
The others moved back down the hill to meet at the house. But she and Matt remained.
He had her hand safe and warm in his. His strength had been beside her the whole time.
She watched the sun blazing just above the horizon. Then Matt moved to capture her other hand and bring her gaze to his.
“I’ve tried to think of what the perfect moment would be to say this to you.
And I couldn’t seem to find the perfect way.
Until now. I believe that things are set in motion long before they happen.
I think Annie sending you here was an example of that.
Because of her great love, she sent you here to be mine.
I love you, Ally Jones. From the first moment I laid eyes on you in the hospital.
I can’t explain it. It was like I had been waiting.
And you finally came. Being a man, it took me a little while to understand that fact.
But when I did, I knew I would move heaven and earth to keep you in Destiny’s River.
It was destiny that brought you here to a town of the same name.
I’m hoping you’ll understand why this is the perfect time and place. ”
And still holding her hands, he sank to one knee. Ally was frozen in total surprise. “Ally Jones, please stay with me in Destiny’s River for the rest of our lives and write our own great love story each and every day we have together. Will you marry me?”
Ally felt incredible peace fill her and circle them both. It was as light as a gentle hug, but she knew from where it came. She looked into the eyes of her one and only love and knew destiny had indeed brought her home.
The End