Say You’ll Stay by Susan Mallery
EPILOGUE
THE OCTOBERDAYwas cool and crisp. The blue sky provided the perfect backdrop to the reds, yellows and oranges of the changing leaves. Shaye breathed in the scents of fall as she walked the trail with Lawson. They were on what she feared was their last hike of the season. She would miss their weekly treks but knew they would start up again in the spring.
They were on one of their favorite trails. The steep path ended at a flat outcropping that offered a stunning view of the town and the mountains beyond. They came up here often and thought of it as their special place.
After realizing she would be a fool to leave Wishing Tree and reconciling with Lawson, Shaye had settled into life in the town. She’d accepted the job at Judy’s Hand Pies and had signed a lease with Kathy. She would be applying to college in the spring, with the idea of starting the following fall, once she’d established her residency.
Paisley and Dena had forgiven her for almost-leaving, and now the three of them were good friends who spent many a girls’ night together. Shaye was hoping one or both of them would find a great guy so they could double date.
Lawson’s family had welcomed her as one of their own. She and Norma were close and getting closer, something Lawson teased her about, but she didn’t care. She loved being part of a big, loud family.
The last few yards of the climb were steep, forcing her to pay attention to her feet and her breathing rather than her thoughts. She rallied for the last bit and emerged on the big, flat area, out of breath and laughing.
“I always worry I won’t make it,” she admitted, leaning against Lawson. “Why doesn’t it get easier?”
“Because without the effort, the view wouldn’t be as good.”
She kissed him, then led the way to their favorite boulder. They climbed up on top and took their familiar seats to look out at the valley below.
From here they could see the town. The Wreath was a real circle, with the businesses around it. The colors of the trees blended with roofs, and beyond the buildings were the mountains.
“It’s going to look so different in the spring,” she said, helping Lawson shrug off his backpack. They usually brought a picnic lunch with them. It was a little chilly for dining alfresco, so today they were just going to have a snack and then head back down.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the view with you then,” Lawson said, pulling out plastic champagne glasses.
“Those are very fancy,” she said, then laughed when he drew out a bottle of champagne. “So not water?”
He looked at her. “No. It’s our last hike for a while. I thought we should celebrate.”
“I’m all for that.”
He expertly popped the cork, then poured. “I had an interesting talk with Kathy this week,” he said, smiling at her. “About her house.”
“What about it?” Shaye felt her stomach drop. “Oh, no. She’s going to buy one of those retirement condos, isn’t she? I want her to be happy, of course, but I’ll hate leaving that house. I love it.”
“I know you do. I was thinking we could buy it. For the two of us now and for our family later.”
Before she could figure out what he was saying, he drew a ring box out of his backpack.
“I love you, Shaye. You’re the one I’ve been waiting for. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me and making you happy. Will you marry me?”
The diamond solitaire sparkled in the afternoon light. Her heart thudded in her chest, and there was a muffled ringing in her ears. Love, happiness and most of all hope filled her until she knew it was very possible she would float away.
“Yes,” she said, hugging Lawson. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you so much. For always. You’re where I find home.”
“We’ll find home with each other, Shaye. For the rest of our lives. That’s my promise to you. For always.”
“For always,” she echoed, knowing she was right where she belonged. In a quirky little town called Wishing Tree.