“Not yet,” she says cryptically. “But one day soon. The right woman will finally show up and you’ll be smitten. Trust me. It works just like that.”
I know a good portion of the women in Budgie Bay and have dated a handful. There’s no one here I want to spend my life with. I’ve made peace with that.
She makes it sound so simple. It’snotthat simple.
It was for your parents…
“Goldie,” I say a little more firmly. “I won’t accept your wedding ring. It should go to your daughter.”
“She doesn’t want it.” Her wrinkled mouth pulls into a frown. “I don’t think she believes in her parents’ love story. It would be adding insult to injury. I won’t give it to Sandy.”
I let loose a groan. “What about your granddaughter? Give it to her.”
“I’m giving it to you, Elias.” She smiles down at the ring in her hand. “When you fall madly in love with the woman who shows up, you give it to her.”
This woman is stubborn. But I’m more stubborn.
“I’ll just give it to your granddaughter,” I say with a shrug. “Next time she shows up, it’s hers.”
Goldie’s lips curl into a wicked grin. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”
What the Helsinki?
“Nora Everhart,” I say as the memory fades and my voice chokes up. “Your grandma knew about this moment long before I did. She wanted me to have it. I wanted to give it to you. Looks like we both got our wish.”
I reach up and swipe the tears from Nora’s cheeks. I hope they’re good tears.
“I know it’s soon, but a wise old lady once told me that a woman would show up, I’d be smitten, and I’d fall in love just like that.” I grin at Nora. “She was right. Will you marry me? If the answer is no, I’ll wait. I’ll drop it into sloth-mode. You’re worth it?—”
She interrupts me with a, “Yes, I’ll marry you,” and crashes her lips to mine.
We kiss until it’s probably awkward for her mother and grandfather to be watching and then pull away. Nora beams as I slide on the ring. It’s old and simple, but it has history and meaning.
It’s important.
It was to Goldie and it is to me.
After another kiss, we make our way over to the back porch next door. Sandy hugs her daughter and then me next. Then, Nora awkwardly shows Amos. He takes her smooth, youthful hand into his weathered, wrinkly one, pulling it up so he can inspect it. A fond, wistful smile tugs at his lips.
“Beautiful ring for a beautiful girl,” Amos says, eyes filling with tears.
Nora hugs her grandpa and they both cry. My throat is tight as I watch them. Sandy can barely hold herself together, excusing herself to go inside.
“I’m going to tell your love story,” Nora says when she composes herself. “I’m going to put it all in a book. Then you can read the parts you forgot. All the parts you didn’t know about.”
Amos’s bottom lip wobbles. “The parts I didn’t know about must’ve been sad. Can you end it where we’re together?”
Nora nods. “Of course, Grandpa. You don’t want a ‘goodbye.’ You want a ‘see you later.’”
“See you later.” He smiles. “I like that.”
“You know what I think you’ll also like?” Nora asks, voice turning chipper in an effort to lift his spirits. “Strawberry and chocolate waffles. Elias makes the best breakfast.”
His face clouds over and confusion sets in. “Goldie?”
My heart breaks for the old man. He keeps losing her over and over again.
“The strawberries are ripe for picking, Amos,” Nora whispers and then walks off the porch to get more for breakfast. “I’ll see you later.”
