Page 80 of Michael
“The one to switch careers. I’m going to retire my boat.”
“Michael, I don’t want you to do that because you think everyone in your life wants you to do it,” I say.
“I’m doing this first and foremost for myself,” he saysfirmly. “I haven’t been happy for a long time. I didn’t want to admit that until I met you.”
He sweeps his arm in an arc around the pier as he tells me how he and Ayden stood here as little boys and waited for news of their father’s boat.
Tears fill my eyes as he recounts the story.
“I didn’t think I could ever let go of that moment where you’re just holding your breath,” he says. “I was certain I’d never be able to exhale. And while, of course, I’ll always miss my dad, I found someone I love so much that she’s helped me heal.” He turns to face me. “Being with you makes me happy, Emery. We could be riding a Ferris wheel, going horseback riding, or sitting by the ocean, and I’m happy.”
I cup his cheek in my hand. “Me too.”
He reaches into the chest pocket of his flannel shirt and pulls something out.
And then, he shifts until he’s before me on one knee.
Holy shit.
“Will you marry me, Emery Walker?” He opens his palm and an old-fashioned engagement ring is staring up at me.
Inside, I’m screaming with joy, but it’s like my mouth and brain have stopped working. I stare in silence at the gorgeous pink tourmaline and opal ring. Then, I raise my gaze to meet Michael’s vulnerable one.
“You want to get married?” I ask him shakily.
“Yes.”
I break into a wide smile. “Me too. Yes, I’ll marry you. And I don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised in my life. Michael Wild, you really know how to do a romantic moment.”
He kisses me and slides the ring on my finger. “Only with you, Emery.”
EPILOGUE
Michael
Emery and I marry in the same nondescript chapel in Montana where her parents tied the knot.
We try to keep the guest list small, but when you add in all the Wilds and their families, the place is rocking. We hold the reception on Wild Ranch, and, as Luke, Declan, and I hang out at a table, I say to Luke, “You’re next.”
He raises one eyebrow. “Dec told me the same thing after he and Mia married for real. I told him I’d be the last Wild standing. And look who fell next. You, dude. Not me.”
“So who do you predict will be next?” Declan asks him.
“That’s a tough one.” Luke glances over at his twin brothers. “My money’s on Cooper. I wonder if he’s hiding someone.”
I try to imagine outgoing Cooper keeping a secret girlfriend. The concept is almost laughable. Neither twin seems like they’d be very good at deception.
Luke finishes his piece of cake and stands up. “See you boys later.”
Declan goes to find Mia as Emery sashays over to me.
Her off-white wedding dress suits her perfectly with its casual off-the-shoulder sleeves and short train that Alyssa and Bella helped her pin up for the reception.
I pull Emery onto my lap and kiss her. “I love you,” I say quietly.
“Love you more.” She kisses my cheek.
Not possible. I love her more than words. She brought joy back into my life. She brought hope. And she taught me that it really is possible to heal a broken heart.
“Best blind date ever,” she whispers into my ear. “Now let’s go sneak off somewhere. I need to get you out of those fancy clothes so I can be with you naked.”
My sentiments exactly.
