her tight to my chest. “Now I get to share it with you.”
“I love that.” She kissed the side of my jaw. “Thank you.”
“No, Sloane, thank you.” I hated how my emotions were all over the place lately. Though life had settled back into a rhythm, the aftermath of losing most of North Rock still lay heavily on our souls. We just needed time. “So, let’s go through the checklist. One, you made it here. Two, it is my absolute favorite spot to be. Three, we have cookies Savannah made, and Keith didn’t get a single one. And four, what’s four again…?” I teased as she turned in my arms to look up at me, no doubt confused. “Oh, yes, of course.” I slowly lowered onto one knee. “A proper proposal.”
“John, you don’t have—”
“But I do. You deserve not to be pushed into a marriage with the fear I brought you that day. No, you, Sloane,” I took her hand in mine, “deserve the world, and I intend to give that to you.” Her free hand flew to her mouth as her eyes got glossy.
“Sloane Harlow, you came into my life, and I made it nearly impossible to be around me. I didn’t understand how the wall I built up for years could crumble with a single look from you, my beautiful woman. You are smart, quick, and strong. My life isn’t like most. It will test you; it will hurt you and stress you out to no end.” I took a moment to get my words in order. “I promise you, if you choose me, I will make it my life’s mission to always come back in one piece.” I gave her a wink, and she laughed a little. “And that I will love you with all my heart. So,” I pulled the diamond from my pocket that she had taken off to prepare for her climb and left at the Tin House and held it up for her to see. “Sloane Harlow, in front of every living creature watching us with curiosity and right here above the world, will you marry me?”
Her lips pressed together as tears leaked down her pink cheeks. “Yes, John Black, I will marry you.” When the ring slipped over her finger, she dove into my arms and kissed me with all her might. We spent the rest of the morning eating our treats before we headed back down to the house to get ready for tomorrow.
***
“Well? What do you think?” My father stood next to me at the back of the barn as we looked around at his temporarily transformed ten thousand square foot barn. The old wooden structure looked pretty damn perfect to me.
“I think Savannah missed her calling,” I joked and tugged at my tie and fiddled with Paul’s pin that he was given when he started with Blackstone. I missed my best friend every day, but I knew he was here with me right now smiling down.
It had taken Savi three months to plan and direct everyone to put together the perfect wedding for us. We wanted simple, elegant, and rustic for our theme, and that was just want we got. Plus, the weather was cool enough that my dress blues weren’t suffocating me.
White chairs were five people deep on each side of the aisle. White flower petals were strewn along the pathway for her to follow to me. White lights and long lengths of white silk fabric were draped through the beams in the rafters above. Small half barrels filled with light pink roses were strategically placed throughout the old barn. I smiled at the rusty old Chevrolet truck Ellie and I used to play in. It was backed up to the edge of the barn, and inside its flatbed was a mountain of ice loaded with beer and white wine for the guests.
“Did you see these?” My mother held up one of the metal horseshoes from a basket that sat on the table outside. “They’re placeholders!” Her excitement mirrored mine. It was all pretty damn impressive. More twinkle lights were woven into the trees, and about a billion candles in jars were strategically placed to give more depth to the property. They flickered in the early evening, and I knew they would look pretty cool as the sun went down. Mom held up the tag that read Luck found us, and we are hoping it finds you too. “Sloane wasn’t just lucky for you, son. She was for