But so far, the kid had shown nothing but resilience. At least at school. In the evenings, he sometimes melted down, tired from holding it together all day long.
Who didn’t? Most adults just hid it better. Or theydrank too much. “If he’s anything like Robbie,” she said, “he’s going to be a walking grocery bill.”
“We should buy stock in Wegman’s now.”
Evan ran over, careful to avoid the fire, and took Tara by the hand, dragging her toward her abandoned chair. “You, sit here.”
“Okay.” She plopped into her seat with a smile. “Now what?”
Evan loved to play games, especially those where he got to orderthe adults around. No shocker there. “Wait here.” Face filled with glee, he grabbed his dad’s hand and dragged him toward the camper. “Come on.”
Jeff laughed and shrugged. “Be right back.”
Loud whispers and giggles came from inside while Tara watched the clouds morph and shift overhead. If she remembered correctly, Jeff had said they were cumulus, their puffy shapes limned with gold as thesun dropped low over the Shenandoah Mountains.
“Don’t look!” Evan yelled from behind her as the door rattled open.
Tara covered her eyes. “Okay.” Early on, she’d worried that she and Evan might not get along long-term. That he’d be mad at ending up with her instead of his mother. That she might not be able to love him as much as she loved Jeff.
Her concern had been unwarranted. Evan wasn’talways easy to handle, but nothing could have stopped him from stealing her heart.
More giggles and shuffling feet came closer as they rounded her chair. Her legs cooled as the two Pataravas moved between her and the fire.
“Can I look now?” she asked with a slight shiver.
“Yes!”
Tara opened her eyes. Evan stood in front of Jeff, a blush chasing up his neck into this cheeks, and unfoldeda large piece of poster board.
WILL YOU MARRY US?had been pasted across the poster with colorful letters. Stickers and artwork decorated every inch of white space, including a drawing of a man, woman, and child holding hands inside the outline of a house.
She gasped, her heart leaping so high into her throat she couldn’t speak.Yes!Tears flooded her eyes and she laughed. What a mess.
Jeff dropped to his knee, right there in the dirt and produced a red velveteen box from his jacket pocket. No longer smiling, his cheeks and ears bright red, he cleared his throat and opened the box to reveal a large ruby surrounded by diamonds in a vintage gold setting.
“Six months ago, I asked you to marry me in probably the least romantic proposal imaginable. In fact, I’m pretty sure I orderedyou to do it and then told you to ignore me.”
She gave a watery laugh, wiping her eyes.
He held her gaze, his eyes warm and full of love as Evan bounced on his toes next to him, the dog barking and running in circles around them all. “I’ve been basically tongue-tied around you since day one. You amaze me with your strength and intelligence, your loyalty and compassion. If someone made a pro/conchecklist, they might think we were incompatible, but that’s because things like whether you prefer the city lights or the forest moon don’t really matter. I’d go anywhere to be with you. You’re my perfect match, the missing piece to make my life complete.”
She sobbed and covered her face. She was making such a hash of this incredible moment.
“Was it something I said?” Jeff deadpanned.
Tara laughed, shaking her head at him.
“Please say yes!” Evan dropped the sign in the dirt and flung himself at her, wrapping his arms around her neck. “I want us to be a family.”
She took a shuddery breath and hugged him back. How’d she get so lucky? “Yes. Yes, of course.”
“Yay!” Evan released her to jump up and down and hug Jeff. Then he hugged Lulu. “Dad, do the ring.”
“Oh, right.” Stillwatching her, Jeff gently lifted her left hand and slid the ring onto her third finger.
The stones glittered in the firelight, the ring a perfect fit. Just like the three of them. And the dog.
Jeff rose and kissed her. “Thank God.”
