his fingers over her skin and stared deeply into her eyes. “Were you surprised?”
“In the best way.” She linked her fingers with his. “I knew we’d get here, I just didn’t expect it to be today.”
“Why not today? You’re moving in. I wanted you to know I want it to be forever.”
She turned into him. “I never doubted you wanted me.”
He looked into her eyes. “Always.”
He kissed her softly, then she backed away, pulling him along with her. “I can’t wait to show you how much I love you tonight. In our bed.” She shook the keys in the box.
Mason suddenly had second thoughts about bringing the boys with them for the proposal. He’d love to lay her out on that blanket and make love to her under the tree.
But the boys smiled at them and he decided this was good, too.
This would be a memory all of them cherished.
* * *
Sierra held her hand out to her mom to show off the gorgeous engagement ring. Mason had really outdone himself. She couldn’t wait to see the wedding bands the boys kept talking about while they ate cake and drank sparkling cider by the creek.
It truly had been a wonderful proposal, filled with poignant moments. Mason had put a lot of thought into it and her gifts.
Her mom touched the charms on the bracelet. “This is lovely, Sierra.”
“Mason wanted to remind me of the past we share. It was really beautiful.”
Her mom looked from her to Mason, standing right behind her, his hands on her shoulders. “I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.”
“Thank you, Dede.”
Sierra touched her fingers to Mason’s hands on her shoulders. “Mom. If you don’t mind watching the boys for just half an hour before we take them to Mason’s—”
“Our house,” Mason corrected.
An uncontrollable smile spread across her face. “Yes. Our house. I wanted to show Mason something out by the pond.”
“Sure, honey. Take your time.”
“Thank you.” She took Mason’s hand and tugged him toward the back door.
“Why are we going to the pond?” A sparkle in his eyes hinted at what he hoped they’d be doing by the pond.
“It’s not what you think.”
His face fell in disappointment, but he rallied. “Are you sure?” He stepped behind her, took her hips in his hands, and kissed the side of her neck, nuzzling his nose in her hair.
She leaned back into him. “Come on. You’ll see.” She grabbed his hand again and pulled him along.
They made it to the garden gate before Mason slowed his pace. “Sierra, why are we going out there?” He meant the place where David and Heather snuck away to so long ago.
Funny how it felt like a lifetime ago now.
It was hard to be mad when she felt so excited and happy and hopeful.
“It’s not what you think. There really is something I want to show you. I didn’t remember it until this morning when I was talking to my mom. And then you proposed and now it seems even more important to show it to you.”
Mason reluctantly went along, holding her hand all the way to the pond. She stopped near it and stared out at the two ducks floating in the water.
“How many summer days did we spend out here?”
“A lot. Amy strutted around in her bikini.”
“How many times did she pretend to have a leg cramp so you’d help her out of the water?”
Mason chuckled and shook his head. “She tried, I’ll give her that. But I always preferred hanging out with you.”
“Funny how we never took it further back then.”
“Maybe we always knew there was time and we’d be together eventually.”
Sierra’s heart sped up. “I think you’re right. And I can prove it.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the shed they used as a little cabin. She didn’t hesitate to push the door open and step inside. Memories assailed her as she stared at the board games stacked on a bookshelf, the old afghan and mismatched pillows on the worn leather sofa, the blue-and-cream braided rug on the floor they had sat on during countless card games, bowls of snacks spread around them.
But it was the dozens of pictures they’d tacked up on the walls over the years that caught and held her attention.
Sierra spotted the one she remembered this morning and walked over to it, Mason right behind her. She plucked the old Polaroid from the wall, the tack still stuck in the top. She turned to him and showed him the picture