Once she’s ready, I hand her the coffee I made her and open the door. The sound of the waves greets us, along with the cold morning air. Our breath fogs up in front of us.
“Next trip, let’s go to Hawaii.”
I laugh, hugging her closer. “Deal. You’ve seen Forks now, and that’s what matters.” But I hate the cold, and I’d much prefer a warmer beach.
She smiles up at me, cheeks pink from the cold. I reach down and check to make sure the ring box is in my coat pocket. My chest tightens with nerves. The old, familiar feelings of self-doubt are ever present, even though I’ve mostly been able to move on and convince myself that I’m not ruining her life and future by being with her. I’m nothing like my sperm donor was.
Once we get to the spot I planned for the photographer to meet us at, there’s a large rock formation rising in the middle of sand. The waves are crashing against it, sending the ocean spray into the air, just as the sun starts rising up on the other side of it, casting a pink glow around the entire sky. Dolly pauses to watch the beauty of it.
I know now is the time, but my legs won’t move. I need to drop down to one knee and tell her all the reasons I’m in love with her and that I’ll spend the rest of time making sure she never forgets it, with my words and my actions.
But my tongue is tied. My knees feel wobbly. My hands are trembling. I reach into my pocket and slowly remove the ring box.
A movement to the right startles me, but when I turn to look, it’s the photographer I picked out online, crouching behind a pine tree.
She gives me a nod that says,Now, buddy. Do it now!
I know she’s right. The light is perfect. I manage to force myself down to one knee right behind Dolly, who is still admiring the sunrise and sipping on her coffee.
“I wish I’d brought my phone so I could get a picture of this,” she muses.
Moisture is seeping through my jeans from the wet, cold sand. With shaking hands, I manage to pop open the ring box.It’s sparkling beautifully against the velvet. I can’t wait to see her reaction.
“Dolly,” I start.
She turns around, eyes searching for me above her for a moment before dropping down to where I am. Her gaze flutters from me to the ring. A gasp escapes her lips before her hand claps over her mouth. Her stormy eyes widen, blinking rapidly, like she’s afraid this isn’t real.
“I need you to know that I am so nervous here, and even though I had to face all your brothers to ask for permission because I thought it would hurt some feelings if I picked just one, I’m much more nervous right now than I was then.”
She drops her hand a little, just enough that I can see the way the corner of her lips tilts up. It’s all the encouragement I need to keep going.
“I still think you deserve better, by the way, but I doubt you’ll find a better man who’s just as violently protective as I am. So, in that case, if you let me be your violently protective guard dog for the rest of our lives, I’d really like to beg you to make me the happiest man in the world and do me the honor of becoming my wife.” I pause to lick my lips and let the words settle over us. I lift the ring higher, hoping the sparkle will convince her to say yes if my promises aren’t. “Will you marry me, Dolly Mae?”
A tear slips down her cheek, but she slowly nods, holding out her left hand. I pull the ring out and slip it over her finger, feeling a satisfied exhale escape my lips when it fits her perfectly.
As soon as the ring is on, she jumps on me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I pull her down to my knee, hugging and kissing her fiercely.
“I love you so much, Sam. Wow, it’s so pretty!” She holds her hand up, laughing at how perfectly sparkly it is in the light.
I nuzzle her neck, inhaling her scent. “I love you so much more.”
“Did you really ask for all my brothers’ permission?”
I nod. “My hand still hurts from the handshakes. That was months ago.”
She laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Let’s just elope. We don’t need them at the wedding.”
“You can have whatever you want, Baby Red.”
THE LETTER
SOMETIME LATER THAT YEAR
Dear Sam and Dolly,
I’m writing this to you now, even though I know it’s been a long time and you probably don’t want to hear from me ever again. I’m not sure if you will even read this letter.
At Triple T Ranch, we’re encouraged to make amends with those we have hurt. Every Sunday morning, we have different preachers come to the ranch to teach us that even if we have hurt others, God can forgive us.
