“Yeah, I think so. She has a podcast or something. Who knows, she may have you on it.”
“I don’t think so. I never know what will come out of my mouth, so that’s not a good idea.”
He leans over and kisses me as I drive. “You’re right. I have better ideas for what to do with that mouth.”
I smack his thigh, and he grabs my hand. “Don’t tease me because after your last visit in town, you owe me a proper reunion.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We don’t stop talking the rest of the way back to Cedar Brook Falls, and I even mention my idea to him about the clinic.
“Wow, that's great. And you’re sure you don’t want to be in New York, or even L.A.?”
The question seems innocent, but I wonder if my answer will affect our future. If I say yes to L.A., would that mean we would see more of each other? Maybe. But I can’t imagine myself in L.A. any more than I can New York.
“I’m sure. I’m glad I went to New York because it reaffirmed where I want to be.”
“And that’s Cedar Brook Falls?”
“Yes.”
Casey is silent, not angry, but his brow creases as though he’s thinking about what to say but changes his mind.
“I know that makes things a bit difficult for us, but like we said, we’ll figure it out, right?”
“Yes.” He smiles and reaches for my hand. “I don’t want to be apart from you for long. We’ll figure it out.”
I squeeze his hand and feel good about telling him honestly what I want. I thought about sacrificing my career to travel with him, but I knew when I went to L.A. that I wasn’t good at staying at home while he went to work. Maybe I will someday, but not yet, and not when I have ideas I think will make a difference to this community and the surrounding towns.
There’s rarely any traffic in Cedar Brook Falls, but today’s streets are especially empty leading into town. There’s not even a car parked in the Mill when we drive by it. “Looks like your mom invited everyone to the homecoming.”
“I think you’re right.”
As we approach the downtown area, leading to the water fountain in the center, we hear the marching band. I giggle as soon as the trumpet blares. “Oh my gosh. This is going to be epic!”
He stares at me and grins. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this.”
I shake my head, laughing harder now. “Oh, I’m going to love every second of it. How about you?”
His eyes soften as he looks down at me and my unabashed pleasure at his expense. “I think I won’t ever forget this.”
He kisses the back of my hand right before I put the car into park. “Ready?” he asks.
“Oh, I know I am. Are you?”
He smiles and steps out of the car. I open my door and smile at the crowd of people cheering as soon as we walk out. People are waving flags at us and blowing plastic horns; it feels like we are royalty.
I spot Jane and Charlotte with their families and Frankie’s here, too. “Wow, I think they shut down the town for this.”
The marching band plays the Rocky anthem and I chuckle. This is all like something out of a movie. Charlotte’s eyes water as I walk closer to her. She lifts a sign that reads, “Congratulations.” Caleb has his arm around her and is holding Kitt by his side. Anthony, Cassandra, and Charlie unravel a banner they’ve hid between them. The words don’t make sense. I expected to see Casey’s name or jersey number, maybe even a World Series logo, but they’re not there.
Anthony holds the end of the banner and he’s having a difficult time loosening it up. Finally, he pulls it back and I read it.
Sage Summers, will you marry me?
I read my name and the words again in my head, then I whisper them aloud. I reach for Casey, but he’s no longer by my side.
When I turn around, he’s down on one knee, his baseball hat is gone, and his hair is perfectly combed. He’s holding up a black jewelry box and what looks like a two-karat diamond nestled between the velvet cushions.
