Camila grinned. “Yes. And Betzy, the only thing missing from your plates is the garnish. See?”
“Iknewthere was something.” Betzy snatched a few sprigs of rosemary from the bunch and tucked each beside the crusted bread on the meals she’d plated. “There. I love this job. I think I wouldloveyour job, Camila. At least, I like making things look pretty. And I like eating too.”
“Who doesn’t?” Gypsy asked, stepping back into the kitchen.
“Where’d you run off to?” Camila asked.
“Oh, nowhere. Actually, I was out front, and I saw a couple of deer out there. Do you guys want to see?”
Camila ran her hands under the sink. “They’re out front?”
“Yeah,” Gypsy said with a nod. “Come on.”
“Okay,” Camila agreed. She’d been charmed by the wildlife they’d seen at the cabin since the first time she’d come. Squirrels, chipmunks, moose, and deer.
“I think I’ll get started on the wine,” Claudia said as she strode over to the counter.
“Actually, Mom…” Duke said, coming up behind her. He exchanged a look with Gypsy. “I want you to try out the new rocking chair I had delivered.”
The group shuffled toward the front door, Gypsy skipping as she led the way. And while that was a very Gypsy thing to do, Camila got the impression that something was up. Which reminded her…
“Hey, where’s James?” Earlier, James and Duke had gone out to chop firewood. Camila loved that with all the money they had, and all the help they could hire, the Benton brothers still did manly things like chop wood on their own. At least out here at the family cabin.
But if Duke was back, then James should be too.
The sudden still that came over the crowd changed the tone in a blink. Camila heard at least two other gasps before one pulled from her own throat. The area surrounding the cabin had been transformed. As it was, towering redwoods, spruces, and firs surrounded the massive cabin in Boulder Creek. A river flowed nearby, bringing a scattering of wildlife through the area.
But now there was a new addition. Camellia flowers—everywhere. Pots, plant holders, and vases lined the walkway. Some in copper, others in glass. Some even bloomed from wood-slatted buckets. The gorgeous blossoms were clustered by color. The ivory blooms stood taller along the back, the pale pink flowers dotted each corner. From there, as the clusters and rows led right up to the front porch, the hues shifted to shades of subtle pink to a deep, beautiful rouge.
Hundreds of petals dotted the clearing as well, creating a giant heart shape. Camila felt like her limbs were turning into goo. Was this the moment she thought it was?
“Would you take a look at that,” Grandma Lo bellowed. She stood next to Zander, a hand tucked at the nook of his arm as she gazed at the clearing.
And that’s when James appeared. He’d been hiding out beneath the foliage, she realized, as he strode onto the paved path, hands behind his back.
Betzy and Claudia huddled together, whispering as Camila made her way to the steps. Gypsy and Duke mumbled something as well.
James met her at the stairs and extended an arm, steadying her as she took the few, short steps down to him. He brought her to the center of the heart, dropped to one knee, and looked up in her eyes.
“Camila,” James started, securing her other hand in his.
Goosebumps rushed over her skin as she locked eyes with him. Those blue depths she’d come to know and love so much.
“The last few months of my life have been the best I’ve ever had. I’ve loved discovering the beautiful woman you are. I fell in love with you, your passion, and your contagious zest for life.”
The excitement stirring within her made her breaths come short and fast. But as James squeezed her hand and gave her a playful wink, she pulled in a deeper, longer breath. Her shoulders loosened too.
“We’ve talked about building a life together. Having a family together. And being there for each other through all the good and the bad.”
She nodded as tears pierced her eyes.Yes, they had.And she could hardly believe this moment had finally come. Making it all the sweeter was the fact that James knew the dark, once-secret pieces of her past. He was proposing marriage to the true her, dark past and all.
He tucked a hand into his pocket, produced a small, velvet box, and flicked it open, revealing a gorgeous diamond ring. “Camila Lopez, would you do me the tremendous honor of being my wife?”
She was floating, Camila was sure of it. The deep burst of hope lifted her feet right off the ground. She wiped back tears as she nodded. “Yes,” she said, sniffing. “Of course!”
An explosion of cheers erupted from the small crowd as James wrapped his arms solidly around her. She basked in the peaceful warmth of his embrace, the heavenly scent of his favorite aftershave, and comfort of his strength as he swept her off her feet and spun in place. He kissed her then, while a round of oohs and ahs echoed into the trees.
It turned out she wasn’t the only one nervous. James’ hand was trembling along with hers as he slid the ring onto her finger. “Can’t wait to do that on our wedding day,” he said under his breath before kissing her once more.
