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Walking along the red brick sidewalk, their footsteps echoed into the crisp, fall air. The scent of fresh cut grass and the wildflowers planted at the back of the shelter hung heavy in the air. He opened the white gate and ushered her into the backyard.
Sweat coated his palms, and nerves danced in the pit of his stomach. Marie deserved perfection. She’d swept into his life like a hurricane and changed it for the better. Gave him a family he’d craved for so many years. Being a father to Nora was sweeter than he could have ever imagined, and he’d be grateful every day of his life he’d been given the privilege of watching her grow.
Rage still burned his veins at the thought of Bill and the pain Marie endured at his hands. But it’d brought her and Nora to him, and he’d do what he could every day to make them feel loved and cherished.
If Marie let him.
Owen halted in front of the two-story carriage house that matched the green and buttercream siding of the shelter. He captured both of Marie’s hands in his and turned her toward him. “I still can’t believe how much my life has changed since I met you.”
Marie laughed. “Tell me about it.”
His smile deepened. “You’ve not only shown me what true love is, but you’ve opened your heart to my family and my town. You’ve created this amazing space where people feel safe.”
A light blush stained her cheeks, and she tilted up one corner of her mouth. “I just helped. I couldn’t have done any of this without you and a whole team of professionals. Not to mention Mrs. Collins, Laura, and Sadie for keeping me sane and helping me take care of Nora.”
Owen shook his head, and his chest tightened. “Don’t sell yourself short. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to express how proud I am of what you’ve accomplished.”
Marie wrinkled her nose and the blush deepened to crimson.
He chuckled. He loved how his praise embarrassed her. After all she’d accomplished, she was still modest. “But that’s not all you’ve done. You’ve also opened my eyes to what I’d been missing in my life. I always thought I needed to keep my walls up, keep people at a distance. I didn’t want my job, or the situations I encountered, to hurt someone I loved. You broke through those walls and showed me how empty my life was. You let me play a part in raising your beautiful daughter. I love you so damn much, Marie.” His throat thickened around all the emotion swirling inside him.
Marie tilted her head to the side, tears misting in her eyes. “I love you, too. It’s crazy how something so horrible can bring so much good to your life if you let it.”
“Absolutely, and you and Nora are the best things that’s ever happened to me. I want to spend the rest of my life giving you both as much love and happiness as you give me every day. I want to be Nora’s father. I want to be your husband.” Owen released one hand, pulled a ring box from his pocket, and dropped to one knee. “Marie Robinson, will you marry me?”
Marie gasped. “Are you serious?”
Owen grinned and shook the ring box. “One hundred percent.”
A little yelp escaped Marie’s wide-open mouth, and she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, I absolutely will marry you.”
Happiness so intense swept over him, he almost fell to the ground. He wrapped his arms around Marie and held her close, before pulling her to her feet. “Do you want to see the ring?”
She held out her left hand, and he slipped the princess-cut diamond on her finger. “It’s beautiful!”
The doors to the carriage house flung open, and Pappy cleared his throat. “Are you two going to take all night? Get on in here.”
Marie pressed her hand to her mouth. “What did you do?”
People from the town filled the space. Marie had come to mean just as much to them, and Owen wanted them to celebrate their engagement. Streamers and balloons whipped around, children tugging them and weaving between the adults as everyone laughed.
Damon Silas and Mrs. Jones—Eddy’s mother—stood together, their smiles actually reaching their eyes.
A well of joy and gratitude sprang from his toes. Marie had not only given a place of hope for so many people in sad situations, but also provided a place for the grieving to transform their sorrows into guidance.
Turning toward all the familiar faces, Owen raised Marie’s left hand in the air. “She said yes!”
Marie giggled and cheers erupted. Marie flashed her ring.
Pappy clamped a hand on Marie’s shoulder and grinned. “Welcome to the family, girl. Now you’ll never get rid of us.”
Marie wrapped him in a hug. “I think I can handle that.”
Katherine rushed forward, Mike and Tommy behind her.
Renee ran through the crowd, tugging her mom along with her, and bounced on her toes in front of Marie. Nora wiggled and giggled in Wanda’s arms, her dark hair curling around her chubby face. Renee grabbed her hand and studied the ring. “I’m so excited! I get to be the maid of honor, right?”
Marie glanced up at Owen, tears running down her face. “You thought of everything.”
Owen secured his arm around her shoulder and nuzzled his mouth against her ear. “You deserve the world. Thank you for everything you do. I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
Marie rested her head on his shoulder. “I can’t believe all these people are here for us. I never thought I’d belong anywhere, never felt like I was truly home.”
“You and Nora belong with me, Marie. Always and forever.”
