Leaning back in my chair, I rub my stomach for an entirely different reason. “God, I’m stuffed. I can’t ever leave a morsel when I come here. It’s ridiculous. I mean, I can practically walk home my leftovers.”
“Ha. I know, right? I swear I think Ellie puts crack in her food. I’m so addicted.”
“Addy, I hope you won’t be too?—”
Her attention is suddenly stolen away from me as she retrieves her cell phone from her back pocket, her face scrunching in a pensive expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Trevor…” She continues to look down at her phone screen and my stomach starts doing somersaults. Sitting up taller in my chair, I try to calm my breathing. They’re okay. I’m sure everything is okay. “He says they’re on scene of a big one. He said it’s close enough we can probably see it lit up from here.”
My hand flies to my mouth. I know Jason would get called to come to a scene like that. He hadn’t been on duty today, just doing administrative work. But Trevor, Matt, and Alex were at the station. Heck, these boys are all so tight, if a large fire broke out, they’d likely respond from home to see how they could help each other out.
Ellie stops by our table holding her phone. “I see you must have gotten the same message.”
Addison shakes her head in response. Biting the inside of my cheek, I try to quell the worry that Jason doesn’t think I’d care to know such details. I’m sure he’s simply in Captain mode.
“I’m going to walk down the sidewalk and see if we really can see the glow from here,” Ellie says. “Jonathan, can you cover the place for a bit? I’m just going to go out for a bit of evening air.”
“Sure, Ellie. The dinner crowd has died down anyway.”
Glancing at my watch, I realize it’s later than I thought. This is confirmed once we reach the front doors and discover the sun has set. I follow along behind Ellie and Addison, a huge lump lodged in my throat. I’d been so relaxed just moments ago. Now I was both worried and a little concerned by the lack of attention from Jason. I need to stress how important it is that he share things like this with me so I don’t worry any more than I already do.
We’ve barely made it two blocks when the shiny red fire engine, ladder truck, ambulance, and the quick response vehicle Jason frequently drives come into view. I don’t see any flames per se, but then again, I don’t see any firefighters either.
As we approach, Ellie and Addison continue to move toward the scene without slowing down. Rotating my head left and right, I’m surprised when no one stops them. I mean, sure, it’s a small town. So the rules might not be quite as stringent here. But I wouldn’t think someone as fierce about fire safety as Jason is would want innocent bystanders walking up onto a fire scene.
The thought has barely left my mind before Addy and Ellie stop and turn to me, wearing the oddest expressions.What the?—
Then I see it. The uneven ground at the far side of the intersection is covered in flowers and luminaries. My mind instantly recognizes Tuesday’s handiwork here. But it takes untold moments for my brain to change gears and decipher what’s happening before me. Then gradually my eyes trail from one paper lantern to the next, the light flickering within each of them illuminating one letter.
W I L L Y O U M A R R Y M E
My hands fly to my face once I realize why my friends are staring at me in wonder. This is all for me.
A gentle hand to my back propels me forward and Jason comes in to view. He’s dressed, not in turn out gear, but his formal Captain’s dress uniform. Once his eyes connect with mine, he drops down on one knee prompting the waterworks.
“Quinn, thank you for coming into my life when you did. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be grateful for the way my life has unfolded. I thought those days long ago were dark, but they would’ve been darker still had I not waited for you. There’s no doubt, you were made for me.”
Dropping to my knees in front of him, I reach for his arms to ground me. This doesn’t feel real.
Jason opens his palm and reveals a beautiful solitaire. “It was my mother’s. We can get one you prefer if?—”
“What? No. Why on earth would I want a different ring?” Then it dawns on me. She probably didn’t want an heirloom. She wanted a big shiny rock. This poor man. My heart has swollen so large with love for him, I’m afraid my chest will burst. I can’t stand it any longer. I need to be closer. Flinging myself at him, I bury my face in his neck as uproarious applause surrounds us. I’d almost forgotten we were in the middle of downtown Sycamore.
That deep rumble of laughter I love tickles my ear. “So, is that a yes?”
Now that I remember we have an audience, I decide to go all in.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! A million times yes!”
Chapter 7
Addison
Rolling over I snuggle against Trevor enjoying the warmth of his body pressed against mine. That is until the sensation of sunlight hitting the back of my eyelids rouses me, and I instantly bolt out of bed.Shit. What time is it?
I never wake after the sun has risen. Any baker worth her weight in salt and flour is already hard at work at this hour. After the quickest shower in history, I grab my purse and sprint to the car. But before I’ve even unlocked the vehicle my heart sinks. The back tire is flatter than a fritter.Ugh! What on earth is going on today?
