Page 70 of Scent of Peril

Doug and Maya were standing close together, speaking in low tones. Jess zeroed in on them. “Care to share what’s going on?”

Doug and Maya exchanged a glance. At Maya’s nod, Doug stepped forward. The rest of her siblings instinctively gathered around them. “Jessica and Logan, we wanted you to be the first to know that the tail fin you found on the side of the mountain is a match to the make and model of Cessna your parents were in when it crashed. And the age tests that were done indicate the piece was exposed to the elements for at least five years.”

Jess caught her breath. Logan slipped his arm around her in support. “So that really is the likely site where their plane went down.”

“Within a fifty-mile radius, yes,” Maya agreed. “We plan to coordinate more searches of that area. But you have given us a new starting point. And for that, we’re grateful.”

“Cheers for Jessica,” Shane said loudly.

“And Logan,” Justin added.

“When can we start?” Trevor asked.

“Today?” Joel pressed.

“I say we go now,” Alexis said excitedly.

“We’ll create a search grid soon, but I think we have one more announcement,” Doug said. Expecting to hear an update on the case, she was surprised when Logan stepped forward. He turned, faced her, then went down on one knee.

“Jess, will you please do the honor of marrying me?” Logan pulled a small ring box from his pocket. “I love you, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “Yes, Logan.” She didn’t bother reaching for the ring. She tugged him up to his feet so she could hug him. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

“Congrats,” Alexis said, clapping her hands. “That’s so romantic.”

“Another Sullivan wedding,” Kendra said on a sigh.

Jess ignored her siblings, focusing on Logan. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He picked her up, swung her around, then set her back on her feet. “Chase made me promise to marry you soon, though. He’s worried about how much fuel I’m burning flying back and forth.”

“Hey, you’re the one who asked me for permission to marry her.” Chase scowled. “I’m not her father, or Maya’s either, but apparently that’s a thing these days.”

“It’s always been the proper way to propose,” Kendra pointed out. “And you’re the closest thing to a father we have.”

Jess turned to hug the youngest Sullivan. “We’re doing okay now, though, right? How would you like to help me plan the wedding?”

“I’d like that.” Kendra smiled, then hugged Logan too. “Congrats.”

Logan took the ring from the box and reached for Jessica’s hand. She let him slip the diamond on her finger, pleased at the shine. Then she hugged him.

“Breakfast is ready,” Anna said.

She wasn’t hungry, but the rest of her family immediately crossed over to the table. Jess hung back for a minute with Logan. “Are you sure you’re ready to join this crazy bunch?”

“Oh yeah.” He smiled and kissed her again. “I love you so much.”

“You fit right in with my family, Logan.” Her eyes misted with tears. “Thanks to you, we’re going to solve the mystery about what happened to our parents.”

“I hope so.” He searched her gaze. “But I also hope you don’t let that hold you back. Because I really would like to marry you sooner than later.”

“I’d like that too.” She smiled, knowing her parents wouldn’t want any of the Sullivans to forgo their happiness to search for answers.

Every day was a precious gift. She was humbled and grateful to see what the Lord’s future held for them.