Page 54 of (La)Crosse My Heart

He rolls his eyes. “She said yes,” and then he leans forward and gives me another kiss on the lips. “How about we head back so you can change? Maybe we should go do something to celebrate.”

“You’re injured and I’m already as stiff as the Tin Man. Maybe takeout and a movie night?”

“What my fiancé wants, my fiancé gets,” he says with a little wink.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. We walk out of the finish line area and I turn to him, lifting the medal so he can see it.

“How long have you been planning this?” I ask.

He gives me a half-smile, looking almost shy. “I knew I’d marry you the moment you stood up for me in that press conference last year. I was hoping to run the marathon with you and do a whole elaborate thing, but I had to make do with what I could physically do for you.”

I pause a moment. “You knew clear back then?”

His look is sheepish, and I lean over and kiss him again, this time making sure it’s filled with all the promise of my love now and the future.

“I love you, Jessa,” he whispers, taking my hand in his.

“I love you too, Clark.”

Who knew a leap of faith would lead me to one of the best outcomes in the future? From irritation to love, I’d do it all again.