“Well, naturally,” Connor agreed. “He’ll get swimming lessons starting at six months, right, Lex?”
“Oh, absolutely. It’s important that Grayson learn how to handle himself in the water. Especially with all the time we spend here at the resort.”
“Do babies really learn to swim that early?” Evie asked.
“They do! It’s all about survival techniques and getting them used to the water.”
“Wait, I want to hear about this too,” Maisie said as she sat down with them. “We’ve still got a while to go, but I love learning about this stuff so we can be prepared.” She smiled. “I think this is going to be so much fun having our kids growing up here at the resort and following in all their dads’ footsteps.
Lexi smiled in agreement. “And some of their moms. Don’t forget, Kelsey and I grew up coming here too.”
Kelsey nodded. “Yeah, I kind of like the idea of seeing the next generation growing up here.” Then she glanced around before whispering, “And we’re adding to that next generation too! Baby Nash is due in March!”
“Oh, my goodness! Congratulations!” Maisie cried, and suddenly everyone gathered around to share in the news.
It took several minutes before everyone was seated with plates piled high with food in front of them. But before anyone could take that first bite, Walker stood—as he often did—to make a toast.
“Some of you may remember that early on in the renovation process, my grandmother came to check on the progress,” he began. “I was so nervous about her being here, not only because she and Harlow didn’t exactly have the best beginning, but because this place was so personal for her. She created it along with my grandfather, and I know how hard it was for her to let it go.”
Everyone nodded.
“If I’m remembering it correctly, she’d said, ‘You boys have done an incredible job with the resort. I know you’re essentially just getting started, but I can see how much has been done already and it just makes me even more excited to see what comes next. In my heart, I always wanted to see the next generation take over, and nothing could have pleased me more than seeing this group be the ones to do it.’ And even though she hasn’t been here in a while, I keep her up to date on everything happening here, and she is over the moon that not only did the next generation do it, but that our kids are going to be a part of it too.”
Pausing, Slater saw him swallow hard.
“We not only kept their dream alive, but we’ve got plans to keep it going for a good long time. And as our group grows, everything here gets better. I look at all these faces and I can’t imagine us being where we are if it weren’t for all of you. And it’s not just me, Axel, Connor, Milo, Slater, Jayce, and Kelsey. We may have started this, but we’re here at the best version of the Lakeview Harbor Resort because of everyone else at this table. From Harlow challenging me into keeping my grandparents’ version of the resort, to Maisie doing the absolute best job at designing and decorating every inch of it, to Lexi keeping us all in line and ensuring our guests have an amazing time, and to Nora, taking our guests on memorable adventures.”
Evie squeezed his hand, and he felt bad that she wasn’t part of this toast. She might not have had a hand in building what was here, but she was an integral part of making him the man he was today.
Something he’d be sure to tell her later when they were alone.
Raising his glass, Walker smiled. “This place didn’t just give us some great childhood memories; it gave us our future.” He paused. “So, here’s to all of you and to the Lakeview Harbor Resort! And here’s to all the wonderful years of guests to come!”
The afternoon sun was high in the sky. It had been great catching up with everyone all weekend, but right now, Slater wanted some time alone with Evie.
Even though they were kind of in the middle of a crowded amphitheater while everyone was singing along to “Be Our Guest.” Beside him, Evie was also singing, and it was the cutest thing. She had a terrible singing voice, but she was so passionate about it that he couldn’t help but smile.
The production was much better than he had imagined, and as much as he was enjoying it, he was eagerly awaiting the ending. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and checked for the tenth time that the ring was there.
He had known about the Beauty and the Beast production. Nora had mentioned it to him a bunch of times, and he took it as a sign that it would make the perfect setting for him to ask Evie to be his wife.
Life had been so good for them since settling in Snoqualmie. The area was exactly the kind of place he’d been hoping for, and Evie had been enamored by it since the first time they visited. He’d started his own air tour company after buying a plane. It wasn’t quite the adrenaline rush he’d been chasing for years, but it was beyond satisfying. Especially since he got to go home to Evie every night.
For several long minutes, he focused fully on the play. And as the finale was playing out and the Beast turned back into a prince, he knew it was time.
Gently, he squeezed Evie’s hand to get her attention. Turning her head, she smiled at him, her eyes bright and happy.
“It only seems right that I do this now,” he said, leaning in close so she could hear him over the music. “Even though our story started long before we sat down to this movie, I feel like that was the night that everything changed. That was the night that I knew you were the woman I wanted to be with.”
Carefully, he dropped to one knee, grimacing at how tight the space was. Then he held up the ring to her.
“Evie, I once told you that you were my biggest rush and I meant it. I’ve enjoyed every adventure we’ve had, but I’m ready for the next one. Will you marry me?”
The music’s volume rose as the ending scene played out, and he couldn’t hear her words, but Evie nodded excitedly before reaching out and kissing him senseless.
And kept on kissing him even as people stood and applauded the performance.
Eventually they broke apart, and Slater slid the ring onto her finger before they stepped out of their row to let people exit the amphitheater. He wasn’t ready for them to leave yet, though. Instead, he walked them up toward the top row, where they watched everyone leave. And when it was practically down to the two of them, a member of Connor’s kitchen staff showed up with a picnic basket.
