Wildfire and Roses
Page 25
He almost teared up himself, thinking about her generous gift. Beasley appeared confused when he suggested they leave so soon.
Ms. G hugged them both. “Take care of each other.”
When they drove off, Beasley asked, “Is something wrong?”
He stroked the box in his pocket. “Not a thing.” He switched on the radio to avoid further questions.
Holding Beasley close that night, he thought about Ms. G and what she’d said. He had decisions to make. Decisions that might alter the course of his life. And hers.
~ ~ ~
Beasley had only met Ms. G this week, but she felt a kinship with her. What she confided in her about her own and Victor’s long-distance relationship resonated. Until now, she was happy with her lifestyle and her career, dedicating her time and energy to the business like any true professional would. A few weeks ago, she would have said she didn’t want to compromise, to move to California. But things changed. Her long-ingrained ideas of what should be didn’t work for her anymore. All the reasons she convinced herself it wouldn’t work had been inadequate. The voice of self-doubt in her head kept asking, “Can I do this? Can I leave everything and everyone to move across the country to be with the man I love?” The answer: yes, she wanted to devote the rest of her life to Will.
This was a pivotal moment for her. Her obsessive need to rebuild, to own her own business, was no longer there. The urge to put in endless hours and plan everything ceased to exist. This was unfamiliar territory, but deep within her bones, she knew this was the right thing. She knew what was important.
As she lay in Will’s arms, his breathing slow and steady as he slept, she decided to tell him she was ready to move to be with him. What better place than Yosemite?
The sky was still dark when the alarm went off. She moaned. “Do we have to get up before dawn?”
“You’re the one who said you wanted to start early.”
“What was I thinking?” She snuggled closer to Will.
“I won’t object if we stay in bed a while longer, but not to sleep.” He kissed her forehead.
“You’re such a guy. Only one thing on your mind.”
“What can I say? I am a guy.” He pulled her into his arms.
~ ~ ~
Beasley smiled and hummed as she dressed in anticipation of their day together. Today, they were going to Yosemite, where she would tell Will she was receptive to moving to Tahoma. Will suggested a picnic at a section of the park near El Cap, an ideal time and place to tell him.
“I packed the food. Give me fifteen minutes, and we can leave.”
Holding the warm mug between her hands, she inhaled the rich aroma before taking a sip. Will whistled and smiled more than usual. He’s probably excited about going to Yosemite. I wonder what he’ll say when I tell him I’ll move.
~ ~ ~
“Will, I have something to tell you.”
“I want to tell you something, too, but you go first.”
“The last few months, I’ve examined my life and my future to determine what I really want. I convinced myself the only place I could be happy was in Azalea Valley and building my company was essential. Then, I met you. Now, I can’t conceive of a life without you. With the help of my friends and family, my mother’s story, and Ms. G, I now realize love is more crucial than any business or town. We are meant for each other, and I am willing to move here to be with you.”
Will held her for the longest time. He released the embrace and cupped her face between his hands. “Baby, I’m totally and completely in love with you. It was selfish of me to expect you to be the one to come here. I also figured I could live anywhere if you were with me. What I planned to tell you is that I can do my job in Azalea Valley.” He laughed. “I guess we both know wherever we end up, we need to be together.”
She overflowed with love as he kissed her. When the kiss ended, she gazed toward the mountain she had climbed months earlier. “Aw, look. The depression on the side of El Cap is in the shape of a heart.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, we are between Bridal Veil Falls and the Heart of El Capitan. What better place to ask the girl who stole my heart to spend the rest of her life with me? Beasley, if you’ll have me, I will devote my life to trying to make you happy. Can we build something together?”
“Will, I love you with everything in me. More than I ever believed possible.”
“Then marry me.”
“What? No ring? And you’re not down on one knee,” she teased.
He took a small box out of his pocket, opened it, and kneeled.
A thousand thoughts streaked through her brain, but no words came. Her eyes filled with tears at the sight of the engagement ring. She held out the third finger of her left hand.
“I take that as a ‘yes.’”
She smiled and flew into his arms. “That’s a yes!”
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoyed this story of love, loss, mystery, and triumph. Shortly after I wrote the scene about a fire in the foothills of the Smokies, the devastation from wildfires in the mountains of Gatlinburg occurred. The loss of lives, of homes and businesses, of jobs, of hope for many residents, and of thousands of acres in the most visited national park touched the hearts of people across the country. The outpouring of love and support in the aftermath reminds us that Tennessee truly is a volunteer state and that we live in an incredible country. I salute firefighters for putting their own lives on the line to keep the rest of us safe.
The timeline of the Gatlinburg fires in the book is a few weeks later than the actual disaster, but because this is fiction, I took the liberty to adjust the timing to fit the story. Thank you for reading about Beasley’s and Will’s adventures.
Hope Malory