“Of course this is the part that interests you, not the inside with all the bells and whistles.”
“You shouldn’t be surprised at this point. Can we pop the hood?”
“Later. Let’s go inside.” Sweat dots my brow as I try to wrangle her up the stairs.
“Why are you so bossy? I’m trying—oooh.”
She stops dead in her tracks, eyeing the modern interior with white cabinets and the black tile floor. It’s spacious inside with two slides across from each other. A combination dining table and desk sit off to the side. The kitchen is double the size of the other one, with residential appliances.
“Okay. I get it now. It’s beautiful inside. Look at all these glossy cabinets and counter space. Is this a pantry?” She pulls a hidden full-length door out and whistles.
“It has a washer and dryer too. I know you get your clothes dirty when you’re working.”
“I thought you hated glamping.”
“That was before I camped with you. Now it’s my favorite.” I reach up and caress her cheek. “I love you.”
Her whole face lights up. “I love you more.”
She spots a figurine on the dinette, an orange cat roasting a s’more over the campfire. Squealing, she picks it up and hugs it to her cheek.
“I know how important cat decor is to you.”
She chuckles as she sets the figure down. “You know me so well. If there aren’t any cat sheets in here, is it really a camper?”
I place my arm around her shoulder and kiss her temple. “What do you think?”
“It’s amazing. You’ll be the talk of the town. When is her maiden voyage?”
“Whenever you want. We need to celebrate your two years of sobriety still. Pick a place on the map, and we’ll take off.”
A custom cork board of a US map hangs by the door. She makes a soft sound in the back of her throat, eyeing the three push pins, one for each place we’ve camped so far. The board is captioned with a single word—Home.
For the first time, my hands vibrate as I work up the nerve to speak.
“I want to ask you something.”
My heart thunders in my ears as I drop to one knee just as Reese turns around.
She stumbles back, her lips trembling as she slaps a hand over her heart. Her silvery eyes mist as she’s unable to fight against her overwhelming emotions.
“Please don’t let this one be a prank,” she whispers.
Reaching into my shirt, I pull a metal chain from around my neck. Dangling at the end is an engagement ring, the circular diamond glittering in the light.
“It isn’t.”
Gasping, she throws her hands over her mouth, still as a statue.
“Maybe home isn’t a location on a map but a person. Someone who loves you despite all your imperfections. Who learns all your quirks and doesn’t force you to change. Your best friend who laughs along with you not at you. The comfort in the hard times, and the first person you call with good news. A partner I want to embark on new adventures with, creating memories we can treasure for years to come.”
Tears stream down her cheeks as she smiles with pure joy.
“You are that person, Reese. You are my home. Whether we are here in Rocosa or traveling in our RV, I’d be honored to have you by my side. Will you be on my team for life? Will you marry me?”
“Tristen . . . I swear, if this is an April Fools’ prank . . .”
“Our love is nothing to joke about. I only picked today because I knew you wouldn’t expect it.”
