Chapter 35 Logan
Thirty Five
Logan
One Year Later
Clunker sails down the highway toward Sagebrush. Her bulky body careens around the close cliff edges and rocky walls like the fearless, clunky whale of a vehicle she is.
I’m lounging in the passenger seat, watching Sierra languidly as she muses about her favorite climbs. My body feels sore in the best way. Hiking the entire Grand Canyon rim to rim is no joke.
“Okay, don’t get me wrong, baby,” Sierra says as she stretches out her neck. “That was an awesome trip. But next time, let’s keep it under two weeks, okay? I’ve gotten so spoiled now with a large bed, a real bathroom, and a kitchen we can actually move around in.”
“We can upgrade to a trailer,” I say. “Or one of those fancy RVs with a king-sized bed and a luxury kitchen.”
“Shh, don’t say such things.” She cups the steering wheel as if covering Clunker’s ears, protecting her from my blasphemy.
“You’re perfect the way you are,” she croons to Clunker.
“God, I hope we can sleep in,” she continues.
“I still haven’t heard back from Liam about whether he has a climbing tour for me tomorrow. ”
I know for a fact that the climbing tour guide company that Sierra works for is not going to put her on the schedule. But to say anything might ruin the surprise.
“We’ll head back and get some sleep,” I say. “I imagine if he hasn’t told you, then you probably aren’t going to do a tour tomorrow.”
“But still, it’d be nice to know for sure.”
I smile. She’s still my spontaneous girl, but not when it comes to the job she loves.
She has blossomed since becoming a certified climbing guide, and it’s been amazing to see her become so confident and self-assured.
She’s also been working hard with a therapist in a nearby town to learn healthier, less risky coping strategies, as well as processing her past and learning to share it with me.
I’m so proud of how much she’s grown. My heart nearly bursts with love every time I see her try a new coping exercise or let herself reflect on a painful memory.
“Pull over,” I say softly. “Let me drive for a while.”
When we step around each other in the headlights, something shifts.
The warm yellow light gilds her hair and face like an aura.
Her smile is radiant with love as she looks at me.
My own golden girl. It throws me straight back to the moment we reconnected—only this time her van isn’t on fire, it’s me burning for her.
I lean in for a kiss as we pass—I can’t help it. I’ve always burned for her. The other half of my flame.
“We’re like fifteen minutes from home,” Sierra whispers against my mouth, her smile brushing my lips. “Down, boy.”
“But I want you to myself,” I confess.
She blinks, confused. “What?”
I rest my forehead against hers and wrap my arms tightly around her. “I didn’t think this through, but…I planned a surprise party for when we get back. I was going to propose in front of all our friends and family.”
I can feel her gasp, followed by trembling. “You were?”
“I don’t want you to feel like you belong just to me, but to my family and all the people of Sagebrush who love you.
” My throat tightens. “But you already do. You know that. They love you as much as I do. I just…want to make it official.” I let go of her and kneel in front of her. “Will you marry me?”
“Oh, Logan.” Her laugh sounds watery. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Then she’s climbing into my arms the way she climbs everything else—like she trusts the hold completely.