Page 68 of Broken: Taylor

Leah rolled her neck. “Luke’s right, I can’t. It could be good news or things will stay the same. Nothing drastic. Kinda...”

“I’m going to kill you if you don’t tell me.” Allison wanted to eat, but nerves made her stomach tight. She peered down at her salad. It looked good.

Her cell phone dinged. It was a text from Taylor.

I have good news.

Coming to get you. I’ll be there in an hour.

Allison narrowed her eyes at Leah. “Can you at least give me a hint?”

“Nope. Taylor will kill me and I’m more scared of him than of you.”

The aroma of seasoned chicken that was sliced over the bed of artfully tossed spinach reminded her she’d not had breakfast. “Fine. But next time I have a secret, I’m not telling you.” Allison forked food into her mouth.

Leah leaned forward. “You better tell me sister. I mean it. If you ever have a secret and don’t tell me, I’ll call your sister and tell her to come visit.”

“That’s low.”

Luke stood and stretched. “Gotta run and do something. See you in a bit.”

Leah smiled and studied Allison. “Let’s talk about what’s been going on with you and Taylor.”

Warmth filled her and it was hard to keep from grinning. “I love him. It’s so great. I’m always giddy.”

The conversation went on longer than she expected, Leah didn’t seem to run out of things to discuss and although she hated not returning to the shop, she loved spending time with her best friend. Then again, she’d be leaving with Taylor once he got there to “pick her up”.

It was turning out to be the strangest of days.

Was it going to be their ‘thing’, Taylor driving without telling her where?

Allison sighed. “I can’t be gone too long. I’ve already closed the shop for three days for our getaway.”

“We’re almost there.” The truck swayed over the uneven terrain of the dirt trail leading up to the local lookout point.

Allison turned to Taylor. “Seriously? You’re taking me to a make-out place? Taylor, although I do think it would be fun, I have too much to do to be coming out here....” She stopped talking at seeing what was usually an open deserted place where teenagers usually parked.

In the clearing stood four men dressed in jeans and matching green shirts. Eric, Tobias, Luke and Ernest also wore identical wide smiles. Each one had a square piece of cardboard in their hands.

“What’s going on?” Allison stared at the guys, who didn’t move. At the sound of tires she turned to find Leah along with Luke’s parents had pulled up next to the truck.

Taylor took her hand. “The guys have something to ask you.”

“They do?” Allison frowned at the four men. “What is it?

Eric turned his cardboard to show the word ‘Will’.

Tobias’ had the word ‘You’.

Luke’s said ‘Marry’.

And Ernest’s word was ‘Him?’.

Allison giggled, but then gasped when Taylor lowered to one knee. The other women gasped as well. And then it was silent. The only sound was her heart thundering.

Taylor took her hand. “Allison Brennan, I invited the important people in my life to be here today as a reminder that not everyone has been taken from me. Will you marry me?” Taylor’s voice was gruff with emotion. “I love you with all my heart.”

Allison gulped back a sob and nodded. “Yes, I will. Of course I will.”

There were high-fives, squeals and clapping as Taylor slipped a gorgeous diamond ring onto her left index finger.

Everyone laughed when Luke and Tobias rushed to help Taylor stand up although he didn’t need it.

With only eyes for each other they kissed ignoring the catcalls and clapping.

“I love you so much,” Allison said hiding her face in his chest.