Megs leaned close to Mitch. “Here we go.”
“We are all here tonight to welcome back a favorite son. Mitch Ahearn grew up in Scarlet and learned to climb and ski here. Though his family moved to California, he came back when he had the chance, and he brought the love of his life with him, our own Megs Hill. Together, they founded the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue Team, putting Scarlet Springs on the map.”
Cheers.
“That’s sweet.” Megs wasn’t kidding. Joe’s words truly did touch her.
“It’s been almost two months since a falling rock almost killed Mitch, leaving him in a coma in ICU for eight days.” Joe paused as if gathering his thoughts. “I’ve never seen this town come together the way it did to help him and Megs. You all raised more than a hundred fifty-thousand dollars to help pay for his medical expenses and rehab.”
“Scarlet flipping rocks!” Sasha shouted.
Laughter.
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Mitch home tonight.” Joe waited for the applause to die down. “We also want to welcome Jim Gridwall, Rick Accardo, and Ron Cook, who, along with Mitch and Megs, are climbing legends. Scarlet Springs is proud to welcome the legendary Lords of Stone—the original dirtbags of Yosemite.”
Cheers.
Mitch squeezed Megs’ hand, motioned her toward the stage with his head. She nodded, and the two of them stood. This was their chance to thank Joe and Rain and everyone else who’d been there for them over the past two months.
Joe went on. “In other business, Vicki would like me to remind you that there are a few copies of the Scarlet FD firefighter calendar left. You can buy them at the bar.”
Laughter and wolf whistles.
Then Joe saw them. “Please welcome Mitch and Megs. I think Mitch has a few things he’d like to say tonight.
Mitch walked with Megs across the dance floor to the stage.
Megs leaned close, whispered, “You don’t have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I can thank everyone for both of us.”
Mitch smiled down at her. “You go… first. Then I w-will talk.”
“You got it.”
They climbed the stairs to the stage, where Joe stepped aside, the Timberline Mudbugs waiting off to the side for their set, everyone cheering for Mitch.
Megs accepted Joe’s help adjusting the mic for her height. “Mitch and I want to thank everyone for your prayers and your incredible generosity. Without your help, this might have turned out very differently.”
Cheers.
“We’re especially grateful to Joe and Rain for their help immediately after the accident. Without the helicopter you sent, Mitch probably wouldn’t be here. We also want to thank Eric Hawke, Harrison Conrad, Austin Taylor, Chaska Belcourt, and Jesse Moretti. They climbed into that chopper and flew out to rescue us. You saved Mitch’s life. Thank you.”
Not very eloquent, but at least she’d gotten through it without getting emotional.
Then it was Mitch’s turn.
He adjusted the microphone, and Megs couldn’t help but be nervous for him. “Th-thank you all for your …help. I can’t imag… imagine …living in any… other town. I am so… grate…ful.”
Applause.
“I want to th-thank Megs. She never … left my side. Her …voice w-was my light… in the dark of … c-coma.”
Megs could see that Rain had tears in her eyes. Well, fine, butno waywas Megs going to cry in front of the whole damned town.
Then Mitch got down onto one knee, a little velvet box in his hand.
The crowd exploded—cheers, whistles, applause, people jumping to their feet.
It took Megs a moment. “What the hell are you doing?”
