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“Only if you design and run it. I scouted out a plot of land. Perfect building site. You’re already a pied piper with kids following you to the gym and the park. But if I’ve messed this up, if the name upsets you, if I read you wrong…”
She held the paper to her chest, sure her heart was about to burst. “Gabe. Gabe. Oh, Gabe.”
“Do you approve?”
“To honor my baby sister with a living legacy is the perfect closure. The Lucy Clayton Recreational Facility is exactly what this town—and I—need.” Paper crinkled against his shoulders as she threw her arms around him. Tears of happiness thickened her throat.
He held her, stroked her back, kissed her cheek and murmured sweet things. As far as Brooke was concerned she could stand here all night in Gabe’s arms. This incredible man instinctively knew what she needed even when she hadn’t known herself.
“Are you two going to lollygag all night or can we get this party started?” They pulled apart to see rotund Gerald Hicks eyeing them with amusement. “Folks are getting hungry. A hungry crowd is a dangerous thing.”
“First a little announcement.” Gabe and Brooke exchanged grins. He took her hand and drew her to the center of the room where he raised his voice. “Excuse me, everyone.”
When no one heard amid the noise and chatter, Brooke raised two fingers to her lips and whistled.
At Gabe’s stunned expression, she laughed. “I’ve been practicing.”
The crowd quieted, probably as shocked as Gabe.
“We have an announcement to make.”
“Figured something was up,” one of his miners called. “No man springs for a spread like this without a real good reason.”
A titter of laughter circled the room.
Brooke’s heart danced with excitement. She knew what was coming but couldn’t help bouncing a little anyway.
Taking both her hands, Gabe stood before her, strong and confident with love shining through his dark-brown eyes.
“Brooke,” he said. “God has blessed my life a thousand ways. In business, with A.J., with this great little town and now with you. I don’t know why He chose to bless me of all people, but He did, and I’m forever thankful. I’ve made my share of mistakes. I’m not perfect, not even close, but I love you. If you’ll agree to be my wife, I’ll do my best to be the man you need, a man you can love and be proud of. Will you marry me?”
Brooke heard Arabella’s squeak and a collective gasp as air was sucked from the room. Total silence buzzed around them. If she hadn’t been so moved, she’d have giggled.
Swallowing past the lump of nerves and emotion, she said, “I spent my entire adult life controlled by the past. You’ve helped me grow. You and A.J. and your dear, wonderful love. I can’t change what happened or the heartache or the loss for either of us, but I can embrace the future and be the woman God intended me to be. I would be honored beyond words to be your wife.”
As Gabe slipped the diamond solitaire engagement ring on her finger and then kissed her until her ears rang and the world faded, applause and laughter filled the fellowship hall.
The issues of the inheritance and the problems of Clayton, Colorado, still lingered on the wind unresolved, but for tonight, inside this small-town church stuffed with good friends, food and family, the issues of the heart were all that mattered.
