“Go ahead, Matt. Ask me…anything.”
His lips curled up. “Anything?”
“Anything at all. I give you my word, I will answer you honestly.”
He took a very deep breath and one more glance behind her, a twinkle in his eyes. “Okay, then.” A nervous laugh escaped him as he slid his hands over the fur wrap, down her arms, taking her bare, cold hands in his.
“MJ, you are the most hopeful person I’ve ever met.”
She didn’t respond, but looked at him, completely uncertain where he was going.
“I’ve never seen anyone face life the way you do,” he continued. “Always believing in something good in the next breath. You’ve made my whole world lighter. Brighter. Honestly…” His voice thickened. “I know people think of me as alottery winner, but you’re the grand prize, MJ. I really won life’s lottery when I met you.”
Her throat tightened. The air grew impossibly still. And suddenly, MJ was aware of…sounds behind her. Soft breathing, footsteps, some whispers, and the stretched silence of a whole bunch of people holding one collective breath.
What was?—
He let go of one hand, reaching into his pocket as he very slowly lowered to one knee, looking up at her with nothing but love in his eyes.
Wait!Thiswas happening?
Behind her, a wave of whimpers and gasps slipped through the night, and suddenly a semicircle of family and friends surrounded the outside of the gazebo.
Matt opened a small black box to display an antique diamond ring that glittered with every light in the gazebo.
“Mary Jane McBride,” he said, voice steady and full, “you are everything I ever dreamed of and more than I could imagine. I would like to make your life happy, content, peaceful, and full. Will you marry me and spend the rest of your life as my wife?”
Her hand pressed to her lips. Tears burned her eyes. Her knees wobbled and her heart stopped.
The world blurred except for him—this man, this miracle, kneeling in the snow and asking her to be his home. Did it matter where they lived?
No. Nothing mattered but saying the only thing she could say.
“Yes,” she whispered, breathless before she cleared her throat to make sure everyone he’d secretly gathered as witnesses really heard her. “Yes, of course I will!”
Matt surged to his feet, pulling her into his arms as the group that surrounded them erupted with a cheer. He kissed her andthen slipped the ring on her finger, both of them laughing and crying at the same time.
When he finally loosened his hold, she pressed her forehead to his, laughing through tears.
“You said you knew where you wanted to live,” she reminded him, breath hitching as she braced for his answer. “Where?”
He pointed toward the lodge, up to the third-floor window glowing with warm light. “Home,” he said simply. “Where you are. That’s where I want to live.”
She melted all over again.
Family poured into the gazebo—led by Benny and Olivia, who offered up the champagne glasses from the table, their eyes sparkling with the role they’d played in the surprise.
“Mom! Congratulations!” Gracie hugged MJ so hard she nearly lifted her off the gazebo floor.
Cindy was crying openly when she came in for her hug.
“Can you believe this?” MJ whispered to her sister.
“I believe you deserve the greatest love story imaginable and I’m so happy for you.”
“Oh, Cin. Thank you. I love you.”
They hugged again while Jack clapped Matt’s shoulder. Nicole squealed and danced around, so beautifully willing to share her big day with her old aunt.
