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Hope all three can. I fondled the brooch at my lapel.
Rosie hugged me before turning to Luke. “Thank you for letting me participate.”
After seeing off the minister, I stared at the fresh grave. “Does this funeral mean Mateo and Marianna’s spirits can finally be at peace?”
“Between their son’s funeral and their land being restored, I hope so.” Luke tugged my hand. “But you’re asking if they still have unfinished business.”
“I don’t know.” Distracted, I forced a smile. “I’m just trying to find a bright side to the baby’s burial.”
“Death is closure.” He shrugged. “And closure is good…as are new beginnings.”
“Maybe death is a new beginning…” The airy figures came to mind. Were they a hallucination or a manifestation? “Do you think Mateo and Marianna have moved on?”
“Not yet.” His eyes twinkling, he shook his head. “They still have one loose end.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re the one who brought up the idea of Marianna wanting to relive her love with Mateo, remember?”
Fidgeting, I recalled that conversation, along with its physical attraction: Is this love or lust? Or something less corporeal…
“Hey, I’ve started painting the patio.” His smile was quixotic. “Want to see?”
“Now?” I did a double take at his non sequitur, glancing from the fresh grave to his beaming face.
“A time to be born and a time to die…a time to tear down and a time to build…” Taking my hand, he led me toward the warehouse. “Come on. Maybe you’ll see the handwriting on the wall.”
As I rounded the corner, I stopped so fast, my shoes slid on the crushed gravel.
Two-foot-tall, hand-painted letters filled the entire side of the building.
This wall isn’t big enough to show my love.
Going down on one knee, Luke took a ring from its velvet box, and slipped it on my finger. “Be my partner…for life?”
****
The seconds ticked by like minutes. The longer he genuflected, the less confident he was.
“This is all so sudden, I…” She scratched her head, as if stalling until the answer came. “I wasn’t prepared…” Blinking, she stared at nothing, seeming to search inwardly.
He tweaked her fingers. “Hey, this is me, your partner for the last three months, and I’d like to make this relationship permanent. What do you say?”
Her mouth moved wordlessly. Then she swallowed. “I’m speechless.”
He wiped his brow with the back of his other hand. “One word will do…ye—” His voice cracked. “Yes or no?”
Chapter 16
A thousand thoughts converged as Cody’s echoes competed with Luke’s proposal, but I dismissed the memories, refusing to idealize. Instead, I recalled the day Luke and I met. I had no family, no home, no job, no prospects, and after the accident, no car. Then one by one, our shared trials and triumphs not only brought us closer but changed my life.
The sight of Luke on his knee banished any petty qualms. “Ye—”
“Because I can’t keep kneel—”
“Yes!” I threw my arms around him. “I said yes.”
“You did?” Scrambling to his feet, he kissed me, then paused, peering into my face. “You’re sure?”
