“Hmm, that wasn’t the something I was expecting you to say. That sounds good, though. Just let me throw some clothes on and let’s go.”
TheTravazza home looked even more like an enchanted castle in the gray weather. The rocks and windows glistened. Despite the mist, the day was perfectly clear. We had walked around the house and were now in the backyard, standing near the cliff that looked over the ocean. Behind us, the Christmas tree’s lights twinkled from the living room window.
In the dense growth of trees, I felt more than ever that I was in a magical forest. I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck as a light spray wet my face from the waves crashing below. I sandwiched one of Jed’s hands in both of mine, the fingers interlocking, and leaned my head on his shoulder. “What is that in the distance out there?”
“Mount Rainier. I can’t believe we can actually see it today.”
“Everything is so beautiful, Jed. It’s kind of a sad, forlorn beauty, though. Somehow, it makes it even more stunning.”
“I thought you’d like it here.” He ran his hand through my hair as we stared out to sea. “Thank you again for coming. I know that this has been a stretch.”
“True, but I’ve loved it. I never knew life could be like this.”
“Like what?”
“Easy.”
Jed paused for a second. “Brooke, I will never make the kind of money my father does. I doubt I’ll ever be able to build a house even close to this.”
I leaned back and looked at him. “Don’t be insulting. I don’t care about that stuff, and you know that. I just meant, everyone seems to get along so easily. Life can be happy.”
“Are you happy being with me, Brooke?”
“You shouldn’t have to ask that.”
“Are you?”
“Jedediah, of course I am. I don’t ever remember being happier in my life.” It was true. I had never felt this way before. It scared me. Only a few months ago, I was prepared to spend my life alone, and now here I was getting to know an entirely new family. How could I expect things to last? It was all too new, too good.
Jed turned to face me. “I told you I wanted to wait until today to give you your present. Is it okay if I do it now?”
“Jed, I didn’t know you wanted to do it out here. I didn’tbring yours.”
“It’s okay. You can give it to me later.” He fumbled around in his jacket, searching. “Brooklyn Morrison, I love you. I’ve dreamed of finding someone I love as much as you my entire life, but I never really believed it would happen.”
“Jed, I love you too. I never thought it would be possible either.”
“Sweetie, just wait. Let me say what I want to say before I lose my nerve. Okay?”
“Okay.” I took a step back. I knew it had been too good. “You’re scaring me a bit, Jed.”
“Wait, babe, you don’t understand.” He took my face into his hands and kissed me. The kiss continued until my body sunk into his. Slowly, Jed pulled back and stared into my eyes for several seconds.
“I love you, Brooke. You’re the man I’ve longed for and prayed for.” He smiled softly. “I want to spend my life with you. I want to plan my life around you. I want to build a life with you.”
My eyes grew huge, and my face paled.
Jed opened his hand and revealed the silver ring lying on his palm.
I gasped.
“Brooke, will you marry me?”
I looked from Jed to the ring and then back at Jed again. We’d talked about what it would be like to marry and where we’d want to live, how we’d raise kids, but now? Like this? “Jed, we haven’t even been dating—”
“I know,” Jed interjected, “I know. I don’t care. I know I want to spend my entire life with you. I know there will never be anyone I love as much as I love you. Will you spend your life with me, Brooke?”
“What will people say? It’s so fast. We’re both men!”
