Tory shook her head and walked a ways up the trail to stand by Liam. It was obvious by her body language that she was whispering to him all about who Zane had brought. Liam’s face soon held the same expression as his wife’s.
Could no one—not a single person—mind their own business?
Her heart breaking, Mabel forced herself not to look across the way anymore. Her only objective right now? Avoid looking over at Zane and Carolina at all costs.
This is about Ruby. One of my oldest and dearest friends. We’ve worked our tails off for this moment. Whatever Zane has going on over there cannot ruin this for her or me or anyone.
She tried to quietly busy herself by talking with Ruby’s parents and Weston’s grandfather and his girlfriend and next-door neighbor, Cynthia Hughes. The group whispered excitedly until a happy cry came from across the trail.
“Maybe! Hi, Maybe!” It was Styles, waving his toy truck in the air. He took a couple of steps forward before Zane tightened his grip on his hand. He smiled and crouched low to whisper in Style’s ear, pointing down the trail, no doubt telling him to be quiet so as to not ruin the surprise.
So much for not paying them any attention. Although, it was sweet how Styles wanted to come see her.
She waved at Styles with a big smile and then put her finger to her lips. He tried to dart across the trail again, and this time Zane hauled him up and over his head and got him settled sitting on his shoulders. Styles pealed with laughter—which made Mabel’s heart sink even further. She adored Styles in every way.
Carolina looked on with something of a maternal affection. Like,Oh, aren’t my new boyfriend and his nephew just darling?
Again, Mabel told herself to stop with the stupid stories. Taking things at face value was usually a dumb idea. But still. Whywasshe here?
And why did Mabel’s every nerve ending burn with fear, doubt, and confusion at seeing the three of them standing together?
She caught a glimpse of Zane’s gaze trying to catch her own.
No. She couldn’t do that right now.
She resumed her stance of ignoring the crazy show across the trail right before they got the signal that the soon-to-be-engaged pair was coming. Everyone stilled, waiting for the surprise.
In a moment, Ruby and Weston appeared around the bend, Ruby carrying a water bottle and Weston with a pack on his back.
As she noticed the crowd, Ruby took in a sharp breath and slapped her hand over her mouth. Her eyes grew wide as she began pointing to people, making muffled noises under her hand of recognition and excitement.
“Weston?” Her eyes were still saucers as he chuckled and pulled the bag off his back.
All of those in attendance turned on the battery-powered candles in their hands. Even though it was still about an hour from sunset, there was enough of a cover from the canopy of trees overhead that the candles offered the perfect ambiance.
Weston didn’t say anything. He gazed at her, his Adam’s apple moving up and down as he fought for composure. Waiting until he got it, he snuck a quick kiss on Ruby’s cheek before turning to Parker, who slipped him a small box.
Weston held the box behind his back as he tugged her close into a hug with the other hand. His whisper in her ear couldn’t be heard by anyone, and Mabel was sure it was better that way. A little bit ofprivacy for them was probably a good thing. Mabel wasn’t sure she’d want all these people around when she was proposed to someday.
There she went again. Thinking about a proposal from Zane, even while he stood nearby with another woman.
Soon, Weston went down on one knee, and Ruby flicked tears off her cheeks.
“There’s a fire down in the valley!” A man Mabel recognized as Ruby’s brother, Joey, stalked around the corner. He’d been the one hiding on a ridge above them, on the lookout for the couple. Apparently, he’d also spied something else.
Noticing that Weston was literally down on one knee at that moment, Joey let out an embarrassed laugh. “Sorry to interrupt, but seriously, guys, the valley’s on fire.”
Mabel’s gaze automatically went to Zane, who was already sliding Styles off his shoulders. Carolina tried to take him and help him down, but Styles shook his head and pointed to Mabel.
“Maybe, come here!”
Zane was already right behind Joey, hurrying up the ridge with other members of the fire crew.
Mabel pushed her way past some people and crossed to the other side of the trail, reaching Styles to give him a fist bump.
“Did you hear there’s a fire down there?” Styles asked. The way he crossed his arms against his chest and the deepness of his little voice made Mabel bark out a laugh.
“I heard something about that. You remind me of a big grownup man; you know that? Uncle Zane’s going to check it out.”
