The moment feels charged with possibility, with unspoken promises. I wonder if Matt can feel it too—this sense that we're standing on the edge of something big, something life-changing.
We settle on the blanket we brought along, having pulled it from the snowmobile's storage. The sun is warm on our faces as we sit close, surrounded by the peaceful stillness of the cove.
Matt looks into my eyes. “Eliza,” he says, his tone soft but steady, “there's something I want to ask you.”
My pulse quickens as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small wooden box. He opens it to reveal a beautifully carved wooden ring.
With unwavering calm and an intensity that takes my breath away, Matt begins, “Eliza, I know this might seem soon, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that time isn't always our friend.”
He pauses, then rises onto one knee, still holding my hands. His touch is warm, grounding me even as my pulse quickens. As he speaks, his words wrap around me like a blanket, and emotions flood through me—gratitude, love, and something even deeper, a belonging I didn’t realize I’d been searching for.
“What we have—this connection, this love—it's rare and precious. I don't want to waste a single moment. You make me want to be a better man, to face my fears, and to build a future.”
My breath hitches. He's baring his soul.
Matt’s voice catches, and I see the sheen of tears in his eyes. “Eliza Hollister, I love you more than I ever thought possible. Let’s face whatever life throws at us together, as a team, as a family. Will you marry me?”
Tears spring to my eyes as I look at the ring, then back at Matt. “Oh, Matt,” I breathe. “It's beautiful. Did you make this?”
“With some help from Finn. I'm told it's wood from the old birch tree by the creek—the one you used to climb as a kid. I know you deserve more than a wooden ring, and I swear I'll get you something more fitting when I return.”
The lump in my throat swells, my chest tightening as the emotion rushes in. His thoughtfulness—the fact that he put so much care into this—overwhelms me. But as much as I'm touched, a small voice in the back of my mind asks,why now?Is he doing this because of my mom? Is he rushing because time is slipping through our fingers?
I lift my eyes to his face, searching for the answer I’m too afraid to ask. His gaze meets mine, steady and unflinching, filled with so much love it takes my breath away. There’s no hesitation there, no trace of pity or obligation—only the kind of raw, unshakable certainty that melts away my doubt.
The small voice fades, silenced by the undeniable truth in his expression. He’s not rushing because ofher. He’s here because ofus.
“Matt Ryder,” I say, my voice wobbling despite my best efforts to steady it. “This is the best ring ever. It didn't come from a store; it came from the land, your hands, and your heart. I don't want another ring.”
“So ... is that a yes?” Matt asks, his eyes shining with hope.
I laugh through my tears. “Yes! Of course, it's a yes!”
Matt slips the ring onto my finger, then pulls me in for a kiss that leaves me breathless. When we part, he says, “Let’s get married in the spring.”
“Are you doing this because of my mom?” I ask.
Matt shakes his head, his gaze intense. “No, Eliza. I'm not rushing because of your mom; I'm rushing because I can’t wait to call you my wife. Because I’m ready to start our life together, to build our home and our family.”
His words wash over me, chasing away any doubts. “Spring sounds perfect,” I say, smiling through my tears. “I love you, Matt.”
As the sun sets, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, our kisses deepen with passion. Surrounded by the beauty of Serenity Cove and our potential future together, we make love under the open sky, our bodies and souls intertwining, as our lives will soon be joined forever.
As we lay together afterward, wrapped in each other's arms and the golden glow of the setting sun, a sense of peace washes over me. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I know we can face them together. Because that’s what love does—it fills you with strength, courage, and unwavering hope.
