He chuckled. “Don’t worry. We are fine. Everything is great, I promise.”
“Okay.”
“Just think. In less than twelve hours, I’ll be kissing you.”
The thrill that ran through my body stole my breath away. But my voice gained confidence. “Okay.”
“You good?”
“Yes, I’m good.”
“I’ll see you in the morning then.”
As soon as he hung up, I ran to find Mom and Estelle.
My whole body trembled with tension and nerves as I pulled around the pick-up lane for the third time. Jesse’s flight was a little late getting in, so I was stuck circling the drive while I waited. For themillionth time, I checked my hair and face in the rearview mirror and smeared some chapstick on my lips. I’d woken up early and taken the time to manage my curls. They were long, springy coils sticking out from the bottom of my purple beanie. I had jeans, a coat, scarf, and furry boots because it was thirty-three degrees this morning with a brisk wind.
Even though I hadn’t slept a wink, my body hummed with energy. I was ninety-nine percent sure he would propose this morning, but I kept trying to discourage my excitement…just in case I was wrong. But, if he wasn’t going to ask me to marry him, what onearthwould he need to ask?
Mom and Estelle didn’t help my excitement. They immediately squealed with happiness and proclaimed I would get engaged. Mom started crying which made Estelle and I cry, too. Estelle also blasted the news in the group chat, which blew up for an entire hour last night as I was trying to fall asleep. Everyone wholeheartedly approved of him, which felt the way I imagined it would—euphoric, relieving, and so very special.
Jesse called my phone as I reentered the white, covered drive and scanned the mob of exiting travelers. I tapped speaker. “Hey!”
“I just came out. I’m down here by the?—”
“I see you!” I gave a softsquee. “Oh my gosh! I see you!”
He had his boots and jeans on, but a soft brown beanie squished down his hair, and he had on a black jacket—he was probably freezing to death. And thank goodness he hadn’t shaved.
When his gaze landed on the Volvo, he pocketed his phone and I whipped into an available parking spot parallel to the curb. Throwing open my door, I ran toward him. “Jesse!”
He jogged down the sidewalk, and the huge smile on his cheeks brought rest to my soul. All the tension I carried slipped away, left in the wake of our love. Even from a distance—his face said everything I needed to hear.
He loves me.
When his arms opened, I jumped into them, wrapping my legs around his waist and clinging to his neck. His hands gripped my thighs, holding me steady against him as he smothered his laughterin my scarf and tucked his head against me. He gave a soft groan. “Man, I missed you so much. Five months is too damn long, Hollie. ”
I pushed back to look at his face. My fingers scraped through his facial hair, letting it brush the inside of my palm. Before I could speak, his lips found mine. They were cold and eager. But he broke it off quickly though, lowering my feet to the ground.
He whispered. “I don’t have a lot of time.”
My breath felt trapped in my chest.
He grabbed my hands. “Hollie.” My name on his lips touched my heart like a caress. “On April 7th, I stood in the pick-up lane of the San Antonio airport and watched you save my son’s life.” He huffed, the sound heavy and emotional even through his smile.
My nose and eyes stung with heat. I bit down on my bottom lip.
“For a few terrible seconds, I thought I was about to lose the only person I had left. But somehow, I walked away from the airport with an entire family to love.” He gave a soft laugh. “And I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. So I have a crazy question to ask.”
Jesse reached into his pocket as he slowly dropped to one knee. Sounds came out of my throat—laughter, crying, screaming? I didn’t even know. My feet danced—tapping against the sidewalk in a flurry of excitement.
“Will you marry me this Christmas and”—his hands fumbled with the box because he was shaking—“stay forever, in my cabin, as my wife?”
My throat squeaked as joy bubbled up from my heart. I answered on a sob. “Yes!”
He stood, his rough palms capturing my cheeks as we kissed. His breath bathed my lips with a tender whisper. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’msohappy.” He lifted my hand and slipped a ring onto my finger. It was rose gold with a small square diamond in the middle.
