“I noticed.”
“And this is the worst proposal I’ve ever received,” she adds.
“Pretty sure it’s the best proposal you’ve ever received involving candy.”
I know I should be joking. I know this is crazy.
She’s been in Crescent Ridge less than a week. A few days ago, I didn’t even know she existed.
Now she’s sitting in my cabin, barefoot and smiling, with a gummy ring around her finger, and my favorite shirt hanging down to her knees.
It feels right.
The cabin that has always been a little too quiet doesn’t feel empty anymore. The river outside is still the same. The mountains haven’t moved. Tomorrow morning, I’ll still wake up early and head down to the docks.
But now I know what it feels like to hear her laugh echo through these rooms. I’ve held her in my arms while she sleeps, and I’ve woken up to her red hair trying to choke me.
I know what it feels like to have someone look at this place and see the beauty in it instead of just another tourist stop.
Paisley didn’t grow up here. She doesn’t know every trail or every bend in the river. She doesn’t have decades of memories tied to this mountain.
But she fits into my life like she was always supposed to be here.
“Temporary,” she says, tapping the gummy ring.
“Sure, Paddles.”
She narrows her eyes before she raises her hand to her mouth and licks her makeshift engagement ring.
“Just wait until I upgrade you to a fruit snack necklace.”
Her laugh fills the cabin, and I already know I’d do just about anything to hear it again.
She looks down at the gummy ring for another second.
Then, with a mischievous smile, her teeth close around the candy.
“You’re eating my ring,” I protest with a laugh. “The symbol of my love and commitment!”
She laughs, popping the rest of the gummy ring into her mouth.
“Your love is delicious. Ten out of ten.”
I shake my head, reaching back into the bag.
“You’re impossible.”
I pull out another gummy ring and take her hand before she can stop me.
“There. I’m going to have to start a tab at the grocery store at this rate.”
“I can’t help it,” she teases. “Peach is my favorite flavor.”
“Hm,” I purr against her neck. “I might not know much about jewelry, but I know my way around the candy aisle.”
“Do you have any real food in this cabin or is that pantry full of junk food?”
My grin borders on sheepish as I rub the back of my neck.
