I went straight for the corner cabinet. The box was where I’d left it: walnut, sanded and oiled until it gleamed like polished stone, the grain catching fire in the lamplight. The lid bore Levi’s name inlaid in maple, surrounded by a band of runes I’d spent weeks researching—ancient marks for luck, strength, protection. On the underside, I’d burned a tiny wolf, the way he drew it in the margins of his sketchbooks.
Inside, lined with navy velvet, rested a single folded document. The deed to McKenzie River Builders. Half of my half of the business. His, if he wanted it. Knox had the other half.
I held the box for a minute, thumb rubbing the edge of the lid. My hands shook, just a little. Not from nerves—never that—but from the weight of it. Levi had given me his trust, his name, his wild heart. The least I could do was give him something that would last.
I tucked the box under my arm, locked the shop, and made my way back. The light from the windows spilled out across the lawn, voices carrying clear and strong. I paused, listening.
“…and then Harlow fell in the river, and the catfish just started biting—”
“Ma, I never—”
“I saw the marks! On your ankles! I had to take you to the doctor for antibiotics!”
Everyone laughed. Even Harlow, who covered his face with his hands, but grinned through his fingers.
I went in, box cradled tight. Nobody noticed me at first. I took my place at the edge of the room, eyes on Levi.
He caught my gaze, and for a second, the world went soft-focus. He crossed the room, pausing to ruffle the baby’s hair, then slipped in beside me. “Miss me already?” he teased, eyes dancing.
“Always,” I said, and it came out gruffer than I intended.
He looked at the box, then at me, and his smile went wary. “What’s that?”
I held it out, both hands. “For you,” I said. “Open it.”
He took the box, weighed it in his hands, then lifted the lid. The hinges creaked, a sound I’d engineered on purpose, so it would always remind him of old houses and hidden things.
He ran his fingers over the carvings, tracing each letter, each rune. When he saw his name, he snorted. “That’s so extra,” he whispered, but his thumb wouldn’t leave the spot.
He reached in, pulled out the folded deed. It took him a second to process, but when he did, the color drained from his face. He looked at me, eyes wide and shining. “Is this…?”
I nodded. “Half the shop. Yours, if you want it. Well, half of my half anyway. The other half belongs to Knox.”
He laughed, but it was the kind of laugh that bordered on crying. “You’re insane. You know that, right?”
I shrugged. “Seemed right. You built this with me. You should own it.”
He shook his head, then pressed his face to my chest, muffling a sob in the flannel. He clutched the box to his body, like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
Around us, the room quieted. I didn’t notice at first, but then Ma was there, her hands gentle on Levi’s back, and Knox and Newt stood behind, both looking proud. Even Ransom, usually a master at ruining tender moments, said nothing—just watched with an expression I couldn’t read.
Levi took a shaky breath. “Thank you,” he said, voice thick. “I don’t… I didn’t know you’d do something like this for me.”
I brushed his hair out of his eyes, then thumbed the edge of his jaw. “You’re my family,” I said. “My future. My love.”
He grinned, lopsided and wet-eyed. “Forever?”
I slid my arm around him, and our wrists lined up: matching tattoos, silver bracelets, platnum rings, scars, and all.
“Forever mine,” I said.
He kissed me then, full and unapologetic, and the room erupted in hoots and wolf-whistles. Shadow barked, as if to say he’d seen enough sappiness for one night. I kissed Levi back, feeling the years of pain and doubt and loneliness burn away, replaced by the solid, undeniable fact of us.
The rest of the night blurred: more food, more stories, the warmth of a house packed to the rafters with people who’d bled for each other. I watched Levi move through it all, face alive, hands always finding mine when I needed an anchor.
We cleaned up after everyone left, stacking plates, tossing bottles, chasing Shadow out of the fridge twice.
When the house was quiet again, I found Levi in the dark, curled on the couch with the music box in his lap, reading the deed over and over.
