“When can you come home, Angie?” Sawyer’s voice cracked.
She shrugged and flashed a sheepish grin. But this time the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Someday, I hope. I miss you all like crazy. But I’m good. I have a nice job, a cute place to live, friends. Really, it’s all good.” She stopped to catch her breath. “Mom, Dad, don’t cry. Think of it as I’m away on a long vacation.”
“Can we come see you?” Sawyer knew it was against WITSEC rules, but so was FaceTiming. Cash had obviously pulled strings. Maybe the feds would make an exception for a visit too.
“Nah.” Angie tried to smile again. “Let’s see what happens, okay? Enough about me, I’m dying to hear about you.” She searched the dining room for the kids and the moment she spotted them, waved. “Hi, Ellie, I haven’t met you yet. You’re so pretty. You look just like your daddy. And Grady, the last time I saw you, you were just four years old. My goodness, you’ve grown. You too, Travis. You’re almost as tall as Jace.” Angie surveyed the room again. “Where’s Gina?”
Gina moved closer to the camera. “I’m here. It’s lovely to finally meet you, Angela.”
“I love your show. Cash says you’re opening a restaurant at the ranch and that my brother is crazy about you.”
“I’m crazy about him too,” Gina said in a soft voice and swiped at her eyes. “I’m glad you’re safe, Angie. Sawyer has missed you so. Well, I don’t want to take away time from everyone else.” She rose and joined Charlie and Aubrey in the living room. Sawyer knew it was to give them privacy.
Wendy and Dan spent the remaining time telling Angie how much they loved and missed her, how her disappearance had left them brokenhearted. How relieved they were that she was alive and well.
Seeing her like this—so close up—but knowing she was likely thousands of miles away was maddening. The big family milestones—the births of the new Dalton babies, Travis’s high school graduation, their parents’ fortieth anniversary—she would miss them all.
“As soon as you can, come home, Angie. I want you at my wedding.”
Everyone around the table gaped at him. There hadn’t been a marriage proposal yet, let alone an announcement.
Hell with it. If Angela couldn’t come home, she could at least be part of the most important day of his life.
“Gina, come back in here for a sec,” he called to the other room.
She rushed in, Aubrey and Charlie on her heels. Sawyer positioned the computer screen so Angie could see better, then tugged Gina closer.
“Let’s do this, baby, let’s get hitched.” He got down on one knee. “Gina DeRose, will you make me the happiest man alive by marrying me and being my wife?”
There was a collective round of “ahs.”
Normally, he wouldn’t have turned something so momentous as a proposal into a public spectacle. He’d really intended to pop the question in private. Just Gina and him, somewhere on the ranch. Maybe down by the creek where he’d taught her how to skip stones.
But as long as Angie couldn’t see him walk down the aisle and celebrate his wedding day, they would at least have this. Even if it was only on FaceTime. Even if he had to propose in front of a large audience.
He grabbed the foil left over from the Dom Pérignon bottle and wrapped it around Gina’s finger. “Don’t say no.” He squeezed her hand. “You’ll break my sister’s heart.”
Gina laughed as she swiped tears from her eyes. “Yes, I will marry you. And what the heck took you so long?”
The room erupted in laughter.
“Been a little busy. But I promise it was worth the wait. You won’t ever be sorry, Gina DeRose,” he said and got a little choked up. “Because I won’t ever stop loving you.”
“Me neither.” Gina peered up at him through long lashes and for a long time they stared into each other’s eyes. “I’ve waited for you my whole life and I’m never letting you go, Sawyer Dalton.”
“I’m so happy for you both,” Angie called from the screen, her eyes watery. “They’re telling me I have to go now. Take good care of my big brother, Gina.” And just like that she was gone.
A hush fell over the room. No one seemed to know whether to mourn or celebrate. The silence seemed to go on forever, filling the room with melancholia.
Suddenly, Wendy rose and gathered Sawyer and Gina in her arms. “We have a wedding to plan.”
Everyone began talking at once, wishing the couple congratulations, slapping Sawyer on the back, and hugging Gina.
“I presume you’ll want it on the ranch,” Wendy continued. Both he and Gina nodded, because where else would they have it?
“Charlie’s barn,” Gina blurted. “I mean, if that’s okay.”
“Are you kidding? We’d love nothing more,” Charlie said. “We’ll move all the furniture to the back offices and anywhere else we can find space.”
