Sophie hated to admit that she needed his help, anyone’s help. That without his interference, she might never have learned what became of Blake. She’d accepted that the checks would no longer show up. She thought that was enough. But the report would bring her closure.
Mile 11:I feel really good. I got this, no problem. Time to empty my head again. Just run. Enjoy the run, Sophie.
Denver only wants what’s best for me.
A crowd lined the next stretch, cheering as the runners passed by. Sophie was amped up from their support. Tessa and Cadence called out her name, cheering her on as she passed them. Her sisters were really the best. They could be counted on to show up for her.
He’s right. I should be honest with Tessa and Cadence about the check. About it all. Tonight.
Her sisters disappeared within minutes, their cheering voices fading as Sophie approached another mile marker. Then another.
Mile 18:Wow, this isn’t so fun anymore. I think I’m bored. Where’s the end again? Denver wants to marry me. But he took it back. No, he still wants to marry me. He’s just not forcing me to give him an answer. But what if I did anyway? I’d really like to slow down about now.
Mile 22:My hips ache. My legs hurt. If I could just slow down a little bit, that would be awesome. Everything hurts.
Sophie glanced at her watch, discovering she was already running behind the pace she’d hoped. Denver told her not to worry about her race time. Only her pacing.Focus on your pacing, Sophie.The outskirts of Sunset Ridge came into view, promising this race was almost over. She just had to make her feet move a little while longer.What if I did marry Denver? What if I said yes?
Mile 24:I can do this. I’m almost there. I’ve trained for this. Crank up the music, Sophie. Run. Just run!
Hundreds of people lined the last two miles, all of them cheering and shouting encouragements. Sophie was exhausted, her legs ached, but their cheers kept her going.Almost there. Pick it up. Bring it home. Everyone’s waiting at the finish line.
Sophie gave it everything she had in the final stretch.
Through the giant balloon arch, Sophie spotted everyone: Tillie, Tessa and Liam, Cadence and Ford, Caroline, and Denver. Even Sherlock made it out, tail wagging. He let out a few enthusiastic barks as Sophie sprinted the final dozen yards to the people she most loved in this world. Her support system. Her family.
She embraced them all, falling into hugs from loved ones who didn’t care that she was sweaty. They were proud.
She saved Denver for last.
“Great job, Sophie.” He walked in short steps alongside her as she cooled down. “You had a really good time. I’m proud of you.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be down on one knee or something?”
“Wha—? I don’t understand.”
Sophie pushed aside the nerves and fought against legs that were plenty wobbly, even without Denver factored in. With her guard lowered completely, the butterflies in her stomach went wild. She’d been fighting her feelings for much longer than she realized. There in his eyes, Sophie saw her future.Theirfuture. “This is the part in the story where you ask me to marry you, and I say yes.”
Denver stopped and stood wide-eyed and slack-jawed for several seconds before he leapt into action. He caught up, wrapped her in his embrace, holding her up because her legs could no longer do that. Hooking his neck, she pulled his lips down to hers. His beard tickled her chin as they kissed, there in front of their family and friends. Electricity pulsed through every nerve in her body.
“You really mean it?” Denver asked when their lips broke apart.
She flashed him a smile. “I’d still kinda like you to get down on one knee.”
Denver obliged, going slow so Sophie could steady herself with her hands on his shoulders. Very soon, she wanted to sit.
“Mommy, what’s happening?”
She reached out one hand to her daughter, making a circle of the three of them. “Caroline,” Denver said to her. “I love you and your mommy very much. I want the three of us to be a family, so I’m asking her to marry me. Is that okay with you? Because I need your blessing.”
Caroline seemed to ponder the information, swinging one foot from side to side as Sherlock muscled his way into the circle. He licked Caroline right on the cheek and let out a bark. With a giggle, she asked, “Does that mean we’ll come live with you? In your house?”
“Yes, it does.”
“Afterthe wedding,” Sophie added, lest her daughter go home today and start packing.
“What do you say, Caroline? Can I marry your mommy? Can we all be a family?”
“Yeah!”
Denver dipped his fingers into his shirt pocket, pulling out the beautiful diamond ring that stunned her into silence last night. It was simple and elegant all in one. It washer. “Sophie Whitmore, I love you with all my heart. I vow to always take care of you and Caroline.” Sherlock let out a bark. “Yes, Sherlock. You’re part of the deal.”
Sophie let out a laugh, scratching the dog behind his ears but never looking away from Denver.
“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“You will?”
“Of course I will. How could I possibly say no after such a novel-worthy line?”
