My jaw drops. “You… bought the fire tower?”
He nods, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “Figured it could use a little TLC. Thought we could turn it into something—maybe fix it up as a rental or a place to escape to when the cabin gets too crowded.”
My chest tightens as I process his words. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious.” His gaze locks on mine, and the intensity there makes my knees weak. “This place means something, Juniper. It’s where everything changed for us. I wanted it to be ours.”
I swallow hard, emotion welling up in my throat. “Flint…”
He pushes off the railing and takes a step toward me, pulling something from his pocket as he goes. Before I can fully comprehend what’s happening, he drops to one knee, his big hand holding out a small velvet box.
Time stops.
My breath catches as he flips the lid open, revealing a simple but beautiful ring—a delicate band with a small emerald set in the center, the color of the forest. It’s perfect.
“Juniper Hayes,” he begins, his voice steady and sure. “You crashed into my life like a wildfire—loud, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. You’ve made me laugh, made me crazy, and made me realize that I don’t want to face another day without you. You’re it for me, Juniper. You’re my home.”
I press my hand to my mouth, tears streaming down my face as he takes a breath, his gaze never wavering.
“Will you marry me?”
I can barely speak past the lump in my throat, but I manage to choke out, “Yes. Yes, of course, I will.”
He grins—a rare, genuine grin that lights up his entire face—and stands, slipping the ring onto my finger with surprising gentleness for a man so rough around the edges. As soon as it’s in place, I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a kiss that’s equal parts passion and promise.
His hands grip my waist, anchoring me as the wind swirls around us, and for a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
When we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against his, my heart full to bursting. “You’re full of surprises, Flint Warner.”
“Stick around, Juniper. I’ve got plenty more where that came from.” His tone is teasing, but his eyes are soft, filled with a love that takes my breath away.
I glance down at the ring, turning my hand to watch the emerald catch the light. “It’s perfect.”
“So are you,” he says, his voice low and gravelly, and the way he looks at me makes me believe it.
Second Epilogue
Flint–five years later
The porch creaks under the weight of my boots as I stretch my legs out in front of me, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the yard. The forest beyond our cabin is alive, vibrant, its rebirth after the wildfire a daily reminder of how life can grow stronger after it’s been tested by fire.
Juniper sits beside me, her head tilted back against the chair, watching our toddlers, Ava and Theo, play tag in the patch of grass near the front steps, their fiery red hair glinting in the evening light. Ava’s giggles ring out, high-pitched and pure, while Theo chases her with all the determination his tiny legs can muster.
“Your boy’s got a competitive streak,” Juniper teases, nudging me with her bare foot. She’s wearing a loose sundress, her red hair tumbling in waves around her shoulders, and the sight of her is enough to make my chest ache.
“He gets it from you,” I counter, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees. “You’re the one who couldn’t back down from a fight. Remember how you argued with me about firebreaks for a week straight?”
She laughs, soft and full of warmth. “I remember you grumbling like a bear about my ‘city girl nonsense.’”
“Still stand by it,” I say, smirking. “But you’re lucky I’m into feisty women.”
Juniper rolls her eyes, but there’s a blush creeping up her neck that tells me she likes the compliment. She always does, even if she pretends otherwise.
The kids tumble to the ground, Theo letting out a triumphant cheer as he tackles Ava. I stand, hands on my hips, and call out, “Hey! Gentle, bud. You’re not a linebacker yet.”
Theo looks up, his face flushed and grinning.
“That’s because she’s got my genes,” Juniper calls back, winking at me. “You’re welcome.”
