Page 91 of Crossed Lines

I’m happy I came home.

I’m happy I fell in love with Beck.

I’m happy Sawyer is always on my team.

I’m happy in Blue Haven. Something I never thought would happen, but here we are.

Beck squeezes my hand as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, and I squeeze his hand back.

Coming home last summer was the best decision I ever made because it led me right here, where I was always supposed to be.

Epilogue

Beck

MAY

ONE YEAR LATER

My heart is racing, and my hands are sweaty. Why am I so damn nervous? Oh yeah. Right. The diamond ring burning a hole in my pocket.

We’re celebrating Willow being done with her first year as a teacher. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. We’ve learned it’ll take a few years for her to really get in a groove, but she’s done so well. She’s spent almost every evening telling me about what this kid said or a funny thing this other kid did. She loves it, and I’m so happy about that.

I’m also glad that she’s teaching at the same school Jade attends. Jade loves seeing Willow in the halls and will sometimes ride home with her when it’s our day.

This year has really made me realize that I want a family. Right now my family is Willow and Jade, but I know eventually, we’ll be expanding on it. I try to do everything I can to show Willow just how much she means to me, but I figure what better way to show it than asking her to be my wife.

It makes me laugh when I think that just a few years ago, I thought I’d never get married. But I’ve learned that meeting the right person is really what drives that decision. I can’t see my life without her now. She’s made my house a home. And I love her for that.

But now I’m nervous as hell. Truthfully, we haven’t discussed marriage. We’ve mentioned it in passing, of course, so I know she’s open to it. But we never talked timelines, ring styles, anything like that. Jade and I picked out the ring on a teacher work day a few months ago. Willow wasn’t with us, so we spent the entire day jumping from jewelry store to jewelry store. We picked out an oval solitaire diamond that sits on two thin, twisted diamond bands. When I saw it, I knew it was the ring. But now that my nerves are kicking in, I’m second-guessing myself.

Jade is the only one who knows I’m proposing today. I told her because she’s only asked me every single day since we brought the ring home. Now she’s looking at me with narrowed eyes as if she’s betting I won’t do it.

I can’t believe my own daughter is intimidating me.

There’s a knock on the front door before it opens. Sawyer is back to walking inside without waiting. Things have been way better for us this year. It’s definitely not what it used to be, as we don’t really hang out just the two of us anymore. We’ve talked a few times, just the two of us, and we text back and forth quite a bit, but usually our hangouts are centered around Willow. Which is fine. I understand that I put my relationship with her above my friendship, and now I have to deal with the consequences. In the grand scheme of things, I think it worked out pretty well for all of us.

“Hey, hey!” Sawyer calls out, walking in with his girlfriend. He started dating Maggie about four months ago. Honestly, I’m surprised he finally decided to make it official. They were “just having fun” for a few months. Not sure what changed his mind, but I’m glad he has someone. Willow is glad too. She loves Maggie.

“Hi! Thanks for coming.” Willow walks over and gives them each a hug.

Maggie hands Willow a bottle of wine. “Congrats on finishing the first year.”

“Oh, thank you! Just wanted to kick off summer the right way.”

She planned a whole dinner party today just for the occasion. She and Jade spent most of the morning making cupcakes. They even decorated the house a bit and bought home fresh flowers from the farmers market.

Next Harper arrives with a giant bowl of pasta salad.

She’s followed closely by Brooks, Aspen, and Noah. Jade loves running after Noah. She acts like she’s his big sister, and it’s so adorable. Gemma is pregnant now, so Jade says she’s practicing for her new brother or sister.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Willow says again as she sets out the last tray of food. “I just thought it would be fun for us to all get together before summer on the ranch kicks off.”

“It’s gonna be a busy one,” Brooks says. Our schedules are already packed until July. I don’t mind though. It’s nice to be busy.

“Congratulations on your first year of teaching, Miss Banks,” I tell her, placing a kiss on her cheek.

“Thank you. Ok, let’s eat!”