Jack raised a brow at her. “It really does mean a lot to you, doesn’t it?”
“You have no idea,” she cried. “This was one of the main reasons I chose to stay.” She sighed heavily. “But I guess it doesn’t matter now, does it?”
After a long pause, Jack said, “Years ago, someone wise once told me that the key to a woman’s heart was an unexpected gift at an unexpected time.” He took a key from his pocket and slipped it into her hand.
“What’s this?”
Jack smiled tenderly. “The key to your heart, I hope.”
Ellie tilted her head quizzically.
He nodded toward the door. “Go on, give it a try.”
Ellie stood, slid the key into the lock, and turned the knob. The key fit. “I don’t understand,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at him.
He joined her at the door. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
It took a moment, but Ellie finally put the pieces together. “Wait. You’re the guy from out of town?”
He beamed a smile at her. “Guilty as charged.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “Oh, Jack.” She threw herself into his arms. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She kissed him over and over. “How can I ever repay you?”
“Funny you should ask.” From his other pocket, Jack took out the little black box he’d been holding on to for twelve years and dropped to one knee. “Elizabeth Grace Spencer,” he said, looking up at her, “will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
For a moment, Ellie was light as a feather, her senses upended. Her eyes switched from Jack to the ring, and back again. “Yes,” she said as tears of joy blurred her vision. “A million times, yes.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
Writtenin the Stars
“Are you nervous?”
“A little,” Ellie answered, her foot tapping nonstop against the hardwood floor. “But not about getting married,” she clarified. “I’m just afraid I’ll forget my lines.”
Amelia smiled amusedly. “You’ll do fine. Just don’t forget to breathe. Besides, once you see Jack, everything will click into place. Trust me. There.” She put the finishing touch on Ellie’s updo. “Now you look perfect.” Amelia reached for a mirror and held it up for Ellie to see. “Jack’s going to have a fit when he sees you.”
Ellie beamed. “As he should.”
When Amelia had finished getting ready, she turned to Ellie. “I want to thank you again for choosing me to be your maid of honor. I don’t know if you realize how much this means to me.”
“You’re welcome,” said Ellie thoughtfully. “And just so you know, it was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.”
They embraced in a long hug that had them both on the verge of tears. And it was then that Ellie was most thankful to have Amelia in her life. She was more than just a sister; she was Ellie’s best friend. Unlike the many friends and acquaintances that had slid in and out of Ellie’s life over the years, Amelia, through all the ups and downs, had never left her side.
As they parted, a knock fell upon the door. Marie’s voice followed. “It’s time.”
“One minute,” said Amelia. “You have something new, borrowed, and blue, but what about something old?”
Ellie reached into the drawer and pulled out the arrowhead that Jack had given her the first time they visited the island. “This,” she said, holding it up for Amelia to see.
“All right then,” said Amelia. “In that case, I think you’re ready.”
When they got to the dock, a half dozen boats were waiting to ferry the wedding party to the island. The guests were already there, including Jack, who at that very moment stood on the beach, watching the sunset.
“I wish your daddy were here to see this,” said Helen as she scanned the horizon. “He’d have been so proud.”
Jack lifted his gaze to the heavens. “I’m sure he’s watching. Mama,” he said, looking at her, “are you happy with the way things turned out? I know how much you adored Sara, and…”
