Page 69 of A Fall to Remember

Is it?

She blinked hard twice as happiness coursed through her veins, already moving forward as if she were being propelled by an imaginary force.

Shelby beamed at Miranda and made a heart with her thumbs and index fingers. Then she nudged Jim forward.

Miranda wanted to pinch herself. She wasn’t dreaming.

This is really happening.

He’s really here.

Jim took a timid step toward Miranda, holding a single red rose. Affection glowed in his eyes.

Miranda’s entire neck erupted with bright red splotches.

What was happening?

Jim offered her the rose, refusing to tear his eyes away from hers. “Miranda, I see you’ve been officially introduced to Addie and Mark. We may have accidentally bumped into them the other day.”

Miranda’s breath stalled. Her knees wobbled.

“That’s why we were so thrilled when Jim tracked us down.” Addie clapped twice. “It’s like something right out of a movie.”

“Jim tracked you down?” Miranda looked at him for clarification. He gave her a shy nod that made her insides flop.

“Yeah, he went out of his way to find us. The internet worked its magic. Have you seen this morning’s post?” Addie asked, handing Miranda her phone.

Miranda glanced toward Pete and Elise. They gave her sheepish grins, encouraging her. She scanned the post before handing Addie her phone back. “I don’t understand.”

“The proposal is an internet sensation. We want you to be the first official invite to our wedding,” Addie said, beaming at Mark. “We’ve already decided the wedding will be here in Half Moon Bay next October for the Fall Harvest Fest, and we want you to be our most honored guest.”

Miranda fumbled, trying to find the right words. “Yes, of course. I would love to attend the wedding, but I promise it wasn’t a stunt. I wasn’t trying to turn your proposal into an internet sensation.”

“Jim, show her,” Shelby said, pushing Jim forward.

He stepped so close that their shoulders touched. Miranda could barely resist the rich smell of his cologne or how, just by being in his proximity, the air felt supercharged. She watched the video. It was the final proof she needed.

“So you didn’t… It wasn’t a…”

“A setup?” He finished her thought. “No. I’m as guilty as you, though. I never saw it coming because I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” His voice was rough, thick with emotion.

Nothing felt real. Was she floating?

“Kiss her,” Shelby said.

Pete and Elise applauded. “Yeah, kiss her!”

Miranda’s cheeks flamed with heat, but she didn’t care. Jim cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly. They might have stayed there forever if it weren’t for their audience. When they finally pulled apart, everyone whooped and hollered. Miranda looked at Jim and whispered, “What now? What about the promotion?”

“Promotion? What promotion? That’s all Shelby. I have no interest in management, but I was thinking we could give long distance a try?” he said, under his breath, his eyes holding all the hope in the world. “I have a lot of airline miles, but I should warn you that I have been known to show up on airplanes in coffee-stained shirts. I don’t know how you feel about guys wearing their lattes.”

Her heart felt like it might pound out of her chest. “Oh, I’m a big fan of a latte-stained shirts.” She leaned in and kissed him again. “The biggest fan.”

53

PETE

Pete loved seeing Mom this happy. Elise opened a celebratory bottle of champagne and poured everyone a glass. There were toasts and photos and phone numbers exchanged. Addie and Mark promised to be in touch about wedding plans. Mom and Jim couldn’t keep their hands off each other.