Page 22 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
“May I?” Bjorn asked, offering me his hand to help me from the wagon.
I nodded then descended.
Primrose crossed the green and joined me.
“Prim,” I said, confused. “What is… What do I…”
“He’s waiting for you,” she told me, then gestured behind her.
From somewhere nearby, a harp began to play softly.
The others stepped aside, revealing Granik. He was nicely dressed in his “fancy going out to dinner” outfit, as we called it. He’d brushed his hair back and braided his long locks at the temples. I glanced down the slope to see my girls hustling up the walking path, all of them laughing and out of breath, trying to make it in time to see…
To see him.
To see us.
I walked slowly to Granik.
This was our favorite picnic spot in Moonshine Hollow. From the peak where Granik stood waiting, you could see Rainbow Falls. The beautiful waterfall on the far side of Moonshine Lake looked like silver satin, plumes of mist surrounding it like lace. A beautiful rainbow arched over the waterfall.
Granik held out his hand to me.
“Granik,” I whispered.
“The Pig and Piper was no place for a proposal,” he whispered.
“Yes, but we are just?—”
“Juniper,” Granik said, turning me to face him before getting down on one knee.
Behind us, the crowd gasped.
“Juniper Merrifrost, you are the person who knows me best in this world, the one who sees me clearest, and someone I can’t live without. You are my best friend.” Granik pulled a box from his pocket. He slowly opened it to reveal a stunningly beautiful ring. “Juniper, before these good people, I ask you…will you be my wife?”
I met his gaze. Granik’s eyes were glossy with unshed tears. But I wasn’t surprised. So were mine. My heart was pounding in my chest. I swallowed hard.
“It would be an honor.”
Granik took my hand and gently slipped the ring on my finger. It was clearly Tansy’s design, but the ring was unlike anything I had ever seen before. My favorite shade of purple sparkled in a raw-cut stone, sided by two green gemstone leaves.
“Oh, Granik,” I whispered.
“I wanted you to have something as special as you are,” he replied, then rose.
The crowd behind us clapped, cheered, then began to chant, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
Granik chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Well, I guess this is the start of the show,” I whispered, feeling dragon-sized butterflies flapping in my stomach.
“May I?” Granik asked, his voice gentle.
I moved to speak but found my voice blocked. I coughed lightly, clearing it, and softly whispered, “Yes.”
Granik set his large hand on my lower back and pulled me close. He gently set his other hand on my chin and looked me deep in the eyes. “You are the best friend anyone could ask for. I love you with all my heart.”
“I love you too,” I whispered, feeling tears slip down my cheeks.
