Yanking it off with one swift tug, I blink against the burst of sunlight.
And then my breath catches.
We’re at the river.
The place where we had our first non-date, and where we came to say goodbye to the old bridge.
It’s the exact same place.
Only now, the bridge is gone.
It’s all blue sky above us, green spring grass and water around us.
A giant void looms where the bridge once stood.
My chest tightens unexpectedly as sudden sadness mingles with nostalgia. I didn’t think it would feel like this to have this place altered so much. Swallowing, I cut my gaze back to him as he slips his hand around my waist and draws me closer to his side.
“I hate that they tore it down. You already know that. But despite how beautiful it was, the bridge was crumbling and unsafe.” His voice works over the rasp. “But you know, something happened over the winter, and nature took over. Thegrass is greener than it ever was. It’s like it’s preparing for a new, stronger bridge to be built. It looks like the future is bright.” His gaze is on the water, but then he turns to me, and the emotion in his expression steals my breath.
“It’s just like my heart,” he says, voice breaking. “In the past, I held on to a lot of hurt that prevented me from enjoying life. But this last year, you helped renew everything.” He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a small box, and drops to one knee. The sunlight catches the diamond with an impossible sparkle, and I gasp.
My hand flies to my mouth. “Oh—”
“Ruth, it’s no secret I love you, and I don’t want to ever stop. Can we make this officially forever? Will you marry me?” His voice is full of hope.
Tears spill down my cheeks as I nod furiously. “Yes!”
He slips the ring on my finger, and the moment his hands brush mine, my heart feels like it could burst. He rises, and I throw myself against him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
Our lips meet, and the kiss is deep and sweet. He holds me tight, as if he never wants to let go, and I kiss him back with everything in me.
I feel like the luckiest woman alive.
As he kisses me again with the river sparkling behind us, I know we’ve built our own little bridge from my heart to his. It’s not steel, but it’s made of love, affection, honesty, fidelity, humor—and maybe a little bit of hockey—and it’s the perfect life for two.
thirty-five
Bill
The night air has cooled down quite a bit in the last hour, and we eagerly slide back into my SUV. Engaged for only an hour, I’m unable to stop grinning. I start the car, but my gaze immediatelygoes to Ruth. Neither of us has had a whole lot to say tonight. We seem to both be reflecting a lot and enjoying the time together, even if it does feel surreal. “I obviously want you to have the wedding you want to have. I will go along with whatever you decide, but if we do anything in public, you need to be prepared for the press to be there, and it’s going to make headlines.”
“Oh really?” She chuckles, like she doesn’t have a care in the world. “I’m not worried. Maybe you’re newsworthy, but I’m boring. They will figure it out quickly and move on to something that sells.”
Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I ponder if I should press the issue. I don’t want her to be nervous, but I also don’t want her to be ambushed by the possibility of being approached in public, or worse, having her photo taken secretly and finding out after the fact when it’s viral. “Well, I’m glad you’re not stressing about it.”
Her eyes twinkle. “Well, put it this way, if I have to have a few people take my photo to make a few bucks in order to marry you, it’s worth it, because I’m the lucky one.”
I keep my smile easy, the kind that hides just enough. “Oh, let’s get one thing straight, I’m the lucky one.” I focus on the road and pull out, heading back into town. Unable to resist, I catch the river in my rearview mirror. The void where the bridge had been is still a little jarring, but I’m slowly getting used to it.
I stop at the old, tilted stop sign at the end of the dirt road. I look both ways. No one is coming. Just as I’m about to press my foot on the gas pedal, my phone buzzes. I glance down, expecting a team update, but it’s a number I don’t recognize. I read on.
Hey Bill, it’s been a long time. Some things from the past aren’t done yet. We need to talk - Blake.
His name seems to pulse on my screen, taunting me.
“Who is it?” Ruth asks, her voice light as she tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture is so casual it mightlook innocent to anyone else, but I know her better. Her new engagement ring catches the light, deliberately flashing at me like a spark she knows I can’t ignore.
I can’t look at it without my chest pulling tight. That ring isn’t just a gift, it’s my promise. To her and to God, and I love her more than anything.
