I chuckle, but it’s tight, the knot in my stomach pulling tighter with every passing second. I’ve always liked Betty’s banter, but tonight, it’s hitting too close to home. Clearing my throat, I glance at the dessert she’s setting down in front of us—a fancy chocolate thing I couldn’t care less about right now. I need to get this over with before I lose my nerve.
“Betty,” I say, my voice coming out a little rough, “maybe give us a minute here?”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly sensing that something’s brewing. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone, but don’t think I won’t be back to check on you. And when I do, I better hear all the details, Barron.” She winks again before bustling off, leaving us in a bubble of tense silence.
Tamlyn, blissfully unaware of what’s coming, picks up her fork and takes a bite of the dessert, her eyes closing as she savors it. I take a deep breath, glancing around the café. It’s now or never. My brothers are still watching, their curiosity piqued, and Betty’s hovering near the counter like she’s ready to pounce on the news.
I look back at Tamlyn. Her smile is soft, content, and suddenly I feel the weight of this moment. I reach into my pocket, fingers brushing the small velvet box that’s been burning a hole in my jeans all day.
“Tamlyn,” I say, my voice rougher than I intended.
She looks up, her fork paused mid-air, her eyes questioning. I stand, pushing back from the table and pulling the box from my pocket. The second I drop to one knee, the whole room goes silent. The clinking of forks, the low hum of conversation—all of it stops.
Tamlyn’s eyes widen, her breath catching as she realizes what’s happening. My heart pounds so hard I’m sure she can hear it, but I push through the nerves. I have to do this. I want to do this.
“Tamlyn,” I start, my voice finally finding its rhythm. “You came here, to Copper Mountain, and turned my whole world upside down. I didn’t think I needed anyone—thought I’d just spend my days chopping wood and living out my life here on my own.”
I pause, my hand trembling slightly as I open the ring box, revealing the simple, pear-shaped diamond ring inside. Her eyes dart to it, then back to me, wide with emotion. “But you… you made me see things differently. You’ve become my home. And I don’t want to imagine my life without you in it. Will you marry me?”
The air feels thick, heavy with anticipation, and for a moment, it’s like the whole café is holding its breath. I feel like I’m suspended in time, waiting, my heart lodged firmly in my throat.
Tamlyn’s hands fly to her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears as she looks down at me. She’s silent for a beat, overwhelmed, and I can see the love, the surprise, the sheer emotion swirling in her eyes. Then, she lowers her hands, hervoice barely more than a whisper. “Yes. Yes, Barron, I already said yes once in the woods, but I’ll say it again: I’ll marry you.”
Relief crashes over me like a wave, and I stand, sliding the ring onto her finger before pulling her into my arms. The café erupts into cheers, the sound of clapping and shouts filling the room. I kiss her, long and slow, right there in front of everyone, not caring about the applause or the looks from my brothers. This is for us. I needed to do this the right way–we had our moment alone in the woods, and now we have this one–a real proposal with a ring in front of everyone and God to see.
The first voice I hear, of course, is Creed’s, his deep voice booming from across the café. “Well, damn, Barron! Didn’t think you had it in you to do it in front of a crowd.”
I pull away from Tamlyn, grinning, still holding her close. Judge raises his glass, a smirk on his face. “Guess the bachelor streak is finally over.”
Archer shakes his head, laughing. “Who would’ve thought you’d be the first one of us to go down? Always figured you’d be the last.”
I throw my arm around Tamlyn, who’s laughing too, her eyes bright with joy. “Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time for you lot to join me,” I shoot back. “I don’t expect I’ll be the only one getting hitched around here.”
Betty, who’s been standing near the counter, comes rushing over, her hands clasped in front of her chest, tears in her eyes. “Oh, I knew it!” she exclaims, practically bouncing with excitement. “I knew you two were meant to be. And don’t you worry, I’ll help plan that wedding. We’ll make it the talk of Copper Mountain!”
I raise an eyebrow at Tamlyn, who laughs softly, her cheeks flushed with emotion. “What do you think?” I ask her, my voice warm, teasing. “Do we let Betty take over?”
Tamlyn chuckles, leaning into my side, her voice filled with happiness. “I think we’d be crazy to say no.”
As we make our way toward the door, Betty calls out after us, her voice full of playful command. “And don’t you forget to start working on those mountain babies! This town’s been waiting long enough for the next generation of Steele men.”
I chuckle, throwing my arm around Tamlyn’s shoulders as we step outside. The cool mountain air hits us, but the warmth of the moment lingers between us. I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“What do you say?” I murmur, my voice low and playful. “Think we can handle a few of those mountain babies?”
Tamlyn smiles up at me, her heart full, her eyes soft. “I think we’ll manage just fine.”
Epilogue
Tamlyn - six weeks later
The air at the top of Copper Mountain is crisp, clean, and filled with the scent of pine and wild earth. It feels like home. I stand at the edge of the clearing, my white dress catching in the soft breeze, the fabric swaying against my legs. The view is endless—rolling hills and valleys stretch out beneath me, a sea of green and blue that goes on forever, much like the life I’m about to step into.
I can feel the weight of the moment, but instead of fear, I feel something else—something steady and warm, like the mountains themselves.This is it, I think. The culmination of every twist, every turn, every choice that led me here, to this place, to this man. My heart swells in my chest, not with nervousness, but with a quiet certainty that this is where I’m supposed to be. I’ve found my place, my home, in Barron.
The sound of Barron’s brothers’ familiar banter drifts through the air, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance over my shoulder to where they’re gathered near the makeshift altar, all dressed in their Sunday best, which is a sight to see. Creed’s tie is slightly crooked, and King keeps fiddling with his collar like it’s choking him. The image of these rugged, mountain men informalwear is almost enough to make me laugh, but it only fills me with warmth.
They’ve become my family, just as much a part of my life as the mountain I now call home. Their presence makes this moment feel even more real, more grounded. No big, fancy weddings for us—just the people who matter most, the land that’s shaped us, and a view that stretches out forever.
