“Not that I recall.”
“I do.” She lifted her head in a definitive nod. “I want to be an author one day. It’s this big, lofty dream of mine, one I’ve had since the very first time I ever read a chapter book.”
“Whatever you write, I will happily read.”
She grinned. “I’m not a writer yet but working at the library—surrounded by so many books penned by so many different authors—it’s inspiring to me.”
“I know it is.” Her joy was written all over her face.
“And while I might not have the time to sit down and write my own novel now, that doesn’t diminish the significance of what I’m currently doing. The library is such a vital space, and they need people like me who can serve as resources for our patrons. People who can help guide readers to their next favorite book. People who can inspire.”
He had an idea where she was going with this.
“Your shop still needs you, Lance. Even if you’re not the one taking them down the hill on the back of a snowmobile or teaching someone the difference between goofy foot and regular on a snowboard. They need someone to do the behind-the-scenes stuff. Someone to curate their perfect adventure.”
This woman and her huge heart. He loved that she was doing her best to comfort him, even if he hadn’t quite reached that point of acceptance in his own head yet.
“What you provide is valuable becauseyouare the one providing it, Lance.”
“Are you always able to do that?” he asked.
“Do what?” She blinked at him.
“Come up with the right words to say at exactly the right time? You’re a wordsmith, Sarah Hart.”
“Hardly but hoping to become one someday.”
In his mind, she was already there.
They finished their evening at The Peak with a raspberry compote cheesecake dessert, along with decaf espressos that they sipped while the lights in the restaurant dimmed. Everything set the scene for romance, especially when the man at the table closest to them slid out from his chair and dropped to one knee to pop the question to his date.
“Is he…?” Sarah’s eyes grew wide.
“I think he is,” Lance whispered back.
He wasn’t one to eavesdrop, but it was hard not to when the woman sprang to her feet and shouted, “Yes! Of course, Cameron. Yes, I will marry you!”
Lance kept his gaze on Sarah, watching her immerse herself in the moment like she was the one living it. Her eyes welled with tears, her chest expanded in a big breath, and the most beautiful smile spread across her face. She immediately erupted in applause, clapping so loudly everyone else in the dining establishment joined in, even those out of earshot and view of the surprise engagement.
When things quieted down and the couple returned to their seats, Sarah finally peeled her eyes from the spectacle.
“Did you see that?” She clasped her hands right over her heart.
“I did.” Lance couldn’t help but grin. “Kind of cool. I’ve never been present for an engagement before.”
“Me neither,” Sarah said, then let out a single punctuated laugh. “Oh, except for my own, of course.”
Lance didn’t mind talking about Sarah’s past relationship with Darren. He knew some men might be insecure about things like that, but if anything, Lance appreciated the openness. It was good to get a clear understanding regarding what worked and what obviously didn’t when it came to her previous marriage.
“How did Darren pop the question?” There was a drop left in Lance’s coffee cup, so he brought it to his lips to sip the remaining liquid, now room temperature.
“It was extravagant.” Sarah moved her napkin across her mouth. She folded it into a square before placing it on the table. “Showy. He took me on a night cruise on the Sacramento River. Bought out the entire boat for the evening. Had a string quartet and even fireworks. It was a big affair.” She snorted another laugh. “The first of his affairs,” she said, making a play on words.
“It does sound amazing, though.”
She lifted her shoulders to her ears. “If you like that sort of thing. I don’t know. I would have been just as happy if he would have asked me while we were driving in the car or washing dishes. I didn’t need all of that pomp and circumstance. That’s just not me.”
It wasn’t Lance, either. Sure, he appreciated grand gestures and liked making his feelings known in big ways, but when it came down to asking for someone’s hand in marriage, he’d always envisioned it being a more personal, intimate thing.
