by Kris Bryant
“Do I have time to change?” I ask. The smile on her face weakens. “Never mind. I’ll just roll up my pants. Let’s get out there before it gets too late.” I grab her hand and we leave the sanctity of the cottage. She encourages me to head to the lobby and grab a few snacks. They have cheese and crackers, fruit and cookies. We quickly fix a plate and head back to the car to pick up the wine and a blanket. When Amber runs inside to get a wine opener, I quickly pull out my phone to text Stacy.
Mission aborted. Water line broke at winery. NOT engaged.
Thankfully, she responds before Amber returns.
OMG. That’s awful!!! You doing okay?
Yeah, I’ll just try again next week. Signing off again. Bye.
I turn off my phone and put it in my pocket. Amber returns and we link arms and walk on the sand toward the water. She kicks off her sandals, but since I’m in a suit, it’s not as easy for me. I bend over and roll my slacks up to my knees. Not sexy, but effective. I spread out the blanket and drop our shoes on the blanket next to the wine. Amber is several steps ahead of me, anxious to feel the water. I catch up to her and we both squeal as the cold water races over our feet, chilling our skin.
“How come I never remember how cold the ocean is this time of year? The sun feels warm, but the water is deceptive.” Amber scampers back, laughing at my expression. I grab her and threaten to pull her back into the water, but instead of running away, she surprises me by crashing against me, stomping the water up on us.
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” she says. She runs her fingertips down the side of my cheek and kisses me softly. My pants are soaked and hang down closer to my ankles instead of my knees, but I don’t care.
“You should tell me one hundred times a day. I promise to never get sick of hearing it,” I say.
“I’ll do that,” she says. We kiss standing at the spot on the beach where the water and sand meet. I can feel the ocean gently pull at my legs and the sand tugging me back. I feel Amber sway against me, her body trusting me to hold her safely. I reluctantly break the kiss after realizing the sun is close to setting.
“Let’s get a fire started before it gets dark.” I slip out of her embrace and head back to our blanket. Small fires are allowed on this beach and I’m an expert. I’ve camped every year since I was eight. My father made sure we all could start a fire from virtually nothing before we were teenagers. Thankfully, I don’t have to scrounge for stuff to burn or spend an hour trying to get heat applied to dry tinder. I have matches and a bundle of firewood and kindling from the fireplace at the cottage. The fire jumps to life almost immediately and is small enough to enjoy and ward off any chill. I snap off small sticks and strategically place them around the outskirts of the fire, ready to toss them in if the fire gets low. Satisfied with my work, I lean back and look around, finally enjoying the beach. The sand is warm on my feet, yet cool just an inch down as I bury my toes in it. Amber splashes in the water and picks up tiny shells, holding them up for me to see if she finds one bigger than a quarter. I nod at her as if I can see them, when in reality I can’t take my eyes off of her face. She is so carefree and I wonder why we don’t spend more time at the beach. It’s such a healing place. Amber is stressed at work and the ocean calms both of us down. It puts life into perspective. Our problems aren’t bad. We have our health, our trust, and each other’s love. A botched proposal isn’t the end of the world. Besides, it isn’t technically ruined, just put on hold.
“Ooh, the sun is setting. I thought I would sit right there, between your legs, your arms around me, and we can watch it together.” Amber is back and pointing to her spot all picked out on the blanket. I smile and reach out to her. She crawls closer, kisses me soundly, and turns around to nestle in my arms.
“I was just thinking that we need to come here more than we do,” I say. She nods, her head bobbing softly against my chest. She smells like cinnamon and oranges. I lace my fingers with hers and we sit quietly and watch the sunset.
“We have to make a wish when the sun hits the water,” she says. I smile against her. “I’m serious. I’ve been doing it since I was a child.”
“Have all of your wishes come true then?” I ask.
“All but one, but I’m working on that one,” she says.
“Whatever you want, it’s yours. I will slay baby dragons for you if it helps make your dream come true. I will walk barefoot across a field of Legos. I would even kiss Charley,” I say.
She squeezes my arms. “I knew it. You do love him.”
I laugh. “Sometimes.”
“Get ready,” she says. We wait in silence as the sun skims the top of the ocean. “Okay, make a wish.” I close my eyes and think for a long time. What do I want? I have everything. A true love, a good career, a supportive family, my health, and so much more.
“I don’t really want anything. I’m perfectly happy with my life. Why don’t you take my wish?” I whisper in her ear.
She turns around to face me. “I only have one wish. Do you remember when we met downtown?”
I cringe as I relive the tackle-like introduction. “Ugh. I wish I could forget it.” She raises her eyebrows at me and I quickly explain. “I mean, yes, I remember. I just wish I hadn’t knocked you down. Me and my klutzy self.”
She reaches out and rubs my forearms. “It’s fine. I wasn’t paying attention. I was probably checking my email on my phone or something. Who runs into a reporter doing a story surrounded by a camera crew? In broad daylight? Anyway, the minute I saw you, I knew that we were destined to be together. I can’t explain it. I just knew. My heart started beating faster, my palms were sweaty and I felt warm all over.”
“Probably because I knocked you senseless.”
She nudges me. “I’m serious. I just knew, Finn. That day changed me. You changed me. I can’t imagine my life without you. We’ve had fantastic times, and even through rough spots, we’ve stuck together. We are able to work through everything. Very few people can say that anymore. Most couples give up or, worse, stay together because change is too hard. I love you with all of my heart and I can’t imagine not having you here right beside me every day.” I can feel tears well up. I desperately want to interrupt her, but she’s determined to get something off of her chest so I keep quiet and listen. “You are my strength, my heart, and everything good in this world. I love you, Tessa Finnegan McCoy and it would give me great joy if you would marry me and make me the happiest woman in the world.” She pulls out a beautiful diamond ring and reaches for my hand, waiting for my answer. I’m crying so hard, I can’t even respond. It’s the ugly cry because this is so unexpected and perfect. My heart can’t contain my absolute joy. I crush her to me, holding her tightly. I hear her whimper and loosen my grip. “I know you aren’t overly fond of diamonds, but I think this ring is beautiful, like you, and I thought it was perfect for you.” She waits for me to say something, but I can’t because I’m crying too hard. “Babe, don’t leave me hanging,” she says.
I finally stop sobbing long enough to answer her. “You don’t understand. Today was all about you.” I sniffle and lean back to look into her eyes. She leans over and wipes away my tears, prompting more to spring up. I reach inside my suit coat and pull out her ring. She covers her mouth and starts crying when she sees it. “I had this elaborate plan today to propose to you at the winery. Carol and I have been working on this for a few weeks. Carmen and Stacy have been helping me, too. I found the perfect place, ordered your favorite flowers, picked the perfect ring. I planned for everything except for that disaster. I thought for sure the day was ruined.” This time she hugs me tightly. We are both crying and holding one another. She pulls away from me slowly and smiles at me. “I don’t know what to say, love. I’m stunned.”
“Just say yes,” she says.
“Yes!” I say. We both laugh. She slips the ring on my shaky finger and gives me her hand so that I can do the same.
“I love you, Amber, with all of my heart. You have ma
de me a better person and have taught me how to love unconditionally. What we have is incredible and I can’t imagine my life without you either. I want to have a family with you, I want to grow old with you. I want our fairytale marriage. I want happily ever after. Will you please make me the happiest woman in the world by marrying me?”
“Yes.” Her voice is still trembling. I slide the ring onto her finger. Stacy was right. This is the perfect ring for her.
“Oh, Finn. It’s gorgeous. I love it already. I love you so very much.”
“And I love you.” I bring her closer for a kiss that is so very different than the kisses we’ve had before this moment. It’s full of promise and commitment and I know I’m holding forever in my arms.
About the Author
Kris Bryant grew up a military brat living in several different countries before her family settled down in the Midwest when she was twelve. Books were her only form of entertainment overseas, and she read anything and everything within her reach. Reading eventually turned into writing when she decided she didn't like the way some of the novels ended and wanted to give the characters she fell in love with the ending she thought they so deserved.
Earning a BA in English from the University of Missouri, Kris focused more on poetry, and after some encouragement from her girlfriend, decided to tackle her own book.
Her debut novel, Jolt, was a Lambda Literary Award Finalist and Rainbow Book Awards Honorable Mention.
Website: www.krisbryant.net
Other Kris Bryant Titles Available Via Amazon
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