Page 102 of Broken Boundaries

“Hot dog, please!”

“Coming right up.”

Brooks finishes grilling the meat, and I help him get it all set up before everyone digs in. The two of us stand by the back door, sipping spiked apple cider while everyone fills their plates. This year has been such a season of change for me, and I can’t help but be grateful for everything I have. My life feels like the perfect example of everything happens for a reason. If I’d had a good family life, I never would’ve moved to Atlanta. I never would’ve met Zach. Which means I never would’ve moved to Blue Haven and met the love of my life.

All the pain, all the heartbreak. It was all worth it to bring me to this moment with my new family. The family I chose for myself.

“Hey, lovebirds! Come eat!” Jazz yells at us.

Brooks and I smile at each other before we make a plate and situate ourselves between our friends.

I guess happily ever afters really do exist.

Epilogue

Aspen

One year later

“I hear congratulations are in order.” I look up from the table at Melvin’s to see Mayor Cunningham staring down at me with a huge smile on his face.

“Thank you so much!”

He grabs my left hand to inspect the ring on my finger. I can’t blame him. I’ve been admiring it for days. I don’t think I could’ve picked out a more perfect ring if I got it myself.

Brooks proposed to me this past weekend. He woke me up early to go on a ride, which is not unusual for him. He likes to get a ride in first thing in the morning and knows I like to go with him. It’s so relaxing to wake up surrounded by nature.

We went on one of our favorite trails that has the best view of the sunrise this time of year. He got down on one knee just as the sun was rising. It had been a complete surprise to me.

I later found out that Jazz, Harper, and Beck all knew it was going to happen, and all three of them managed to keep it a secret from me, which is pretty impressive.

“So, when is the big day?” Mayor Cunningham asks.

“Oh…” Brooks and I haven’t even talked about it. I’ve been on such a high from the proposal, wedding details have been the furthest from my mind.

“Why’re you askin’?” Brooks asks from across the table. “You trying to make it a town event?”

Mayor Cunningham rolls his eyes. “Of course not. I’m just curious. And I wanted to let you both know, I’m also an ordained minister if you happen to be looking for one.”

“Oh, really?” I ask with raised eyebrows, surprised to hear this little fact about him.

“Yes, ma’am. Did it for my cousin’s wedding a few years ago. I’ve done a few other weddings since then, too. And for you two? I’d do it at no cost. Just something to think about.”

Brooks chuckles, but I look at Eli and sincerely thank him. What a sweet thing to offer us. “I appreciate that. We’ll definitely keep that in mind once we start planning.”

“Good. Good. Well, if either of you ever needs anything, you know where to find me. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Thank you. You too!”

He tips his head and then walks away from our table.

Brooks leans forward and asks, “You are not seriously considering having Eli marry us, are you?”

I shrug. “Why not?” I’ve never once thought about who would marry us, but it doesn’t seem like a terrible idea to have someone who knows us do it. Over the last year, I’ve worked with Eli a lot through the ranch. Mostly because Brooks doesn’t want to, but also because I genuinely like him. He’s always been very nice to us, and I love that he always has the town’s best interest in mind. After all, this town is my home now. I want to make sure it’s in good hands.

“First of all, it’s Eli…” Brooks suggests, like that explains anything.

I roll my eyes. “He’s a nice guy. Plus, it’d be free, and he’d more than likely be willing to come out to the ranch to marry us.”