At the call of a nuthatch, I shivered with pleasure. I hoped not.
I wedged myself back against a wide cedar, where I had a clean view of the overlook, and quietly adjusted the settings on my DSLR one more time. I liked controlling my Kelvin temperature in camera, rather than in post, and with the rising sun, that meant little adjustments every few minutes to accommodate the change from cool tones to warm.
The others tucked themselves somewhere between the trees as I eyed the path. The pale violet sky was a stunning backdrop, but if they didn’t make it here soon, they’d miss the sunrise altogether. Not that Isobel would care, but I did. She’d put me in charge of this. I had to make it perfect for her.
As though summoned, her bright laughter filtered through the trees. I straightened, and when she and Dane came into view, I raised the lens and blew out an even breath. They were both casually dressed, though Isobel, I noted, wore a full face of makeup. Maybe she didn’t want the full party, but she was still her, always prepared, and it didn’t surprise me at all that she wanted to look her best, even if that best was slightly glazed in sweat from a steep morning hike.
“Let’s stop here. Take in the view,” Dane said, slinging an arm over her shoulders. Sweet but annoying. He was blocking her face. I’d spent far too many hours waiting for a bird to surface from itsnest only for the stubborn thing to come out facing away from me. No one was impressed by a catalog of nothing but tail feathers.
“Move,” I muttered.
They took a drink from their water bottles. “You’re right,” Dane said. “This was a good idea. It’s beautiful.”
“It is.” Isobel flashed a look to the trees. “Charming, I—”
A twig snapped under my foot.Damn it.
“What was that?” Dane turned.
“Nothing!” Isobel grabbed his face and pulled him back toward her just as Esther’s giggle sounded from the bush.
“I heard someone.” That wasn’t Dane; that was thesheriffspeaking now.
“I have something to say to you!” Isobel dug something small out of the pocket of her yoga pants and stuck it on her finger, then held it up for him to see.
I raised my camera again.There. Finally, the shot.
Dane stared at her, perplexed. “Your… ring?”
“Yes!”
“Why are—”
“I’m going to marry you!” Isobel shouted in his face.
Eva’s laugh slipped through the trees as I fired off a volley of accidental shots. Dane must not have heard it, however, because he was still looking at Isobel, stunned. “What did you say?”
“I want to marry you,” Isobel said more softly, taking his hands in her own. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long and I’m sorry I’ve been scared, but I…” Her voice shook. “I want you forever, Dane.”
He laughed in obvious relief. “Thank God.” Then he drew her close, searing a kiss to her lips. “This has been the longest year of my life, Isobel.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, wife.”
Isobel tipped her head back in a laugh. I snapped photograph after photograph.
But perfectionism was a funny thing. I knew going into this that portrait photography wasn’t my specialty, but still, it drove me mad that I could have gotten a better angle if only I’d planted myself a few feet to the left. In this spot, a tree slightly blocked my view.
I could do this. I just had to move slowly. Holding my breath, I leaned to the left—
SNAP
—and fell gracelessly into the bush.
Dane pushed Isobel behind him. “Who’s there?” he called out.
“Stop!” Isobel pulled his arm down. “It’s fine! I invited them!”
