Page 18 of Changed By Firefighter Daddy

The next morning, I woke up early and ran an errand, then we met Jordan at the fire station and trekked our way into the woods. Clary was more than capable of hiking, and she didn’t complain about the cold weather. As we got further up the mountain, snow flurries began to fall and I realized I hadn’t checked the weather for the day because I’d been so busy.

“What’s the weather supposed to do today?”

“Just some flurries and wind, nothing too bad,” Jordan reassured me.

I hoped not, or it could ruin my plan.

“What are we looking for in the woods?” Clary asked at one point.

“Just anything that may be out of place. Most townspeople don’t come out here, and when we have hikers, we usually keep pretty good track of them. Same with hunters or explorers. So if someone’s out here, I don’t know who. And I want to know.”

We spread out and walked in a line through the forest and underbrush.

“Hey!” Jordan called us over. “Look at this!”

It turned out to be a campfire. Relatively recent from the look of it.

Looking around, we started following the tracks from the campfire, but lost them quickly as the snow started to pick up suddenly.

I felt Clary shiver against me and realized we needed to head back soon.

“Hey Jordan. I think we’re going to head back soon. You coming?”

He looked longingly toward where the tracks disappeared and I knew he wanted to keep tracking them, but his common sense won out and we started back.

At one point, we came upon an overlook of one of the rivers. It was beautiful with the fresh winter snow and frost sparkling on top of everything. Jordan continued walking while Clary and I paused to admire the scene.

“Wow!” Clary murmured in awe. “I’d always heard Alaska is beautiful, but I had no idea. It’s like it’s untouched...pure.”

I realized with the daydreamy look in her eye that now was the perfect opportunity.

Dropping down to my knee behind her, I cleared my throat and pulled the small box I’d purchased this morning out of my pocket.

“It’s like you,” I professed. She whirled around and gasped when she saw me.

“Beautiful, mysterious, and strong. Clary, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I can’t imagine life anywhere without you, but especially not here. I promise to take you on as many tropical vacations and cruises as you want. But will you marry me?”

She laughed at that line and threw her arms around my neck as I stood up.

“Yes! Are you serious? Yes!” she screamed.

I threw my arms around her and brought my lips to hers. Just then Jordan came charging back through the woods.

“What’s going on? Why are you screaming? Oh hell!” he exclaimed when he realized we were just kissing.

“Jeremy proposed and I said yes!” Clary shouted at him.

“Congratulations,” he said, hugging both of us. “Now let’s get home so I don’t feel like such a third wheel.”

Later that evening, as we headed up the sidewalk to the house, I surprised her by scooping her up in my arms and carrying her across the threshold of the house.

“I know we’re not married yet,” I admitted, “but I can’t wait.”

I carried her into the bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. I began slowly removing her clothes as I moved around the bed.

She reached for me, but I pulled away and went on undressing her. Her body was amazing and before long I shed my clothes, too.

Then I pulled out a silk tie I had been waiting to use on her.