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A) The parking lot of a local Denny’s (Turn Left)
B) Dancing alone in the bar (Turn Right)
Whitney headed right and continued to follow the correct path through the maze, guided by the answers to Trent’s trivia questions about their relationship. With each one she was reminded of all the special moments they’d shared since the day they met, and her pulse raced as she drew near the last stop.
Cards in hand, she drew a deep breath as she rounded the last corner of the maze and found Trent standing there at the trivia stop. Dressed in jeans and collared shirt, he looked amazing and more than a little nervous as he smiled at her. Her mouth went dry and her heart pounded loudly in her chest. He was there. She’d suspected he would be, but it still felt slightly surreal as she approached him.
“Hi,” she said.
“You figured out my maze,” he said, his voice full of emotion as he moved toward her.
“It was the best one yet,” she said softly, gazing up at him.
He reached for her hands and drew her closer. “Sorry I said I couldn’t make it here tonight. I wanted to surprise you.”
“You’re forgiven. This was definitely a nice surprise.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him gently. Her body was shaking slightly as a feeling of anticipation overwhelmed her. He’d gone through a lot of trouble to do this for her… Was there more to come?
He stared into her eyes and took a deep breath. “Whitney, the last year with you has been the best year of my life.”
She nodded. For her too.
“My life has changed so much since moving back home and starting the business, but the biggest change is the one I feel inside. I love you and being with you has made everything else that much better. You’re everything to me,” he said, releasing her slowly and dropping to one knee.
Whitney’s hand covered her mouth and tears welled in her eyes.
Trent took her hand in his and retrieved a small ring box from his pocket. He opened it and held it out to her, revealing a beautiful solitaire engagement ring.
Whitney’s mouth gaped as the diamond sparkled in the evening setting sun.
“Marry me?” Trent asked.
Whitney nodded quickly, and the word “yes” escaped her lips on a strangled whisper.
Trent smiled and kissed her hand before sliding the ring onto her finger. He stood and took her into his arms, and Whitney’s heart felt like it might explode with happiness. “I love you,” she said, hugging him tight.
Trent pulled back and kissed her softly. “I love you more.”
There was no way that was possible, but Whitney wasn’t about to argue with her new fiancé.
Chapter Seventeen
Now…
How long would the clinic keep her on hold?
Whitney tapped her fingernails against her desk, the urge to hang up overwhelming. She couldn’t put off scheduling the tests any longer, but she was hoping the clinic in town was booking several weeks out. Now that she was actually a step closer to the appointment, she needed a little more time to summon the courage to go through with the tests.
Not knowing the severity of her condition had given her at least a false sense of security. But there was no denying that her sight was getting worse a lot faster in the last few weeks, and no amount of painkillers was helping with the migraines.
“Hello, Ms. Carlisle, you still there?” a clinic attendant asked.
Barely. “Yes, I’m here.”
“Great. Sorry to keep you waiting. The soonest opening we had for an MRI appointment was in February…but I noticed a cancellation for tomorrow, so would that work for you?”
February or tomorrow. Wow, nothing in between, and neither appealed to her. February was too far away, but tomorrow was…tomorrow.
She hesitated. Putting this off would only make things worse in the long run. “Okay, yes. What time tomorrow?”
