Page 82 of Deadly Revenge
“You know what I mean. You’re anxious about something.”
“No, I’m not,” Josh said.
“You’re like me, you’re a terrible liar. But I also know that you’ll talk to me when you’re ready. You are tense about something, though.”
Josh laughed and shook his head. “How about I talk to you when we get out to the cabin?”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” Maya said.
“I hope you do.”
They drove the rest of the way in silence. The air still had some haze from the fire, but it was much improved. The latest report was that the fire was about sixty percent contained and thanks to some rain coming later that week along with low winds and slightly lower temperatures, the firefighters would probably have it contained soon and move into the mop-up stage.
Maya was glad that the firefighters had been able to hold the line and save Pinecone Junction. That risk was part of living in the mountains and she knew it. But that didn’t necessarily make it easier to handle when the threat became real. She slowed down as a mule deer and her fawn crossed the road in front of them. Juniper was staring at the deer intently and was ready to bark when Maya said, “Quiet.”
Juniper, much to Maya’s amazement, listened but then Finn realized what Juniper was looking at and started rapidly barking.
“That’s your dog,” she said to Josh.
He laughed. “Juniper only listened because she’s tired. Finn didn’t get to work at all. Poor guy needs to blow off some steam.”
Maya chuckled and once the pair crossed the road, she accelerated again, but carefully. The fire had displaced a lot of wildlife and driven them down to lower elevations. Normally they would stay at higher altitudes during the summer. Earlier that morning, Maya had even seen a bull moose walking through town like he owned the place.
The farther out of town they went, the thicker the trees became and Maya relaxed. She loved living with Josh in town, but she was excited to move back to her slice of heaven with him. At one point she’d been worried he might not want to go, but Josh was excited too and that made her happy.
She turned onto the road that led to her cabin and parked, shutting off the car. Everything was so quiet. Including Josh. What was up with him? He said he would tell her, but now she was starting to feel nervous.
They each stepped out of the car. Maya let Juniper and Finn out her side of the Jeep. The two dogs took off and started running big circles, chasing each other and at times getting down in the play position and then running zoomies again. Maya loved watching them.
She and Josh went to the front of the Jeep and leaned back against it, taking in the surroundings. Birds chirped off in the distance and the air seemed less smoky here. Maya took a deep breath and then let it out.
“It’s good to be here and the cabin is starting to look like a home,” she said.
“It is. I love it out here,” Josh said.
“I’m glad you do. I honestly can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“Same here.”
“You going to tell me what’s going on?” Maya asked. She’d thought about the possibilities and was wondering if Josh no longer wanted to run for sheriff. She felt better hearing him say he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. The thought had crossed her mind that maybe he didn’t want to live out in the middle of the woods year-round.
Josh nodded and reached for her hand. “Yes, but come this way with me.”
She placed her hand in his. “What’s up?”
“Come with me and I’ll explain why I’ve been so nervous,” he said, with a smile.
Maya followed and they went up a small hill. It was one of her favorite spots. From the top, she could see the creek that ran behind her cabin. It was low and barely running right now, but as the seasons changed so would it. Come spring the stream would have mini whitewater rapids. She and Josh had come up here many times to have a picnic or just sit and talk. He knew it was one of her favorite spots. Now she was uneasy as her mind went down a different road. Was he going to ask her what she thought he might?Stay in the moment,she told herself. She would wait and see what Josh wanted.
They stood together watching the dogs, who had tired slightly, trot around, sniffing in different areas and exploring. From this angle, Maya thought the cabin really seemed complete. She could finally picture it as a home. Their home.
Josh turned and faced her, then he got down on one knee and, hand shaking, pulled out a small black box.
“Josh?” Maya said. Now she knew for sure why he was nervous. She was excited. There was a time when she never thought she’d find someone who loved her for her. She’d figured she’d grow old alone and hadcome to terms with that. When she met Josh she hadn’t been looking for a relationship, but now as her heart pounded, Maya knew he was the one.
“I planned to do this when we went away for our trip, but then things changed. Maya Thompson, you are the love of my life. I can’t imagine being with anyone else. You make me a better person. You make me so happy. I’ve only been nervous because I want to be with you forever and I hope you want to be with me. Will you marry me?” Josh opened the box and inside was an antique ring with several small diamonds surrounding a larger one.
Maya was speechless. She didn’t know what to say. No wonder he’d been so anxious. She had no idea he was planning this.
