“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”
With an overly dramatic sigh, she looped the blindfold into place and let him lead her away. Soon, the hum of the town gave way to the sound of steady crashing waves and the salt air grew stronger.
“You’re taking me to the cove, aren’t you?”
He squeezed her hand. “Maybe.”
She heard whispers and the shuffle of feet. When Miles finally removed the blindfold, Wendi gasped.
The entire town had formed a human tunnel on Main Street. Old Pete, Ada, Phil, the Hendersons—faces from every part of their lives—stood in two rows, making a path straight to the beach. In their hands, they carried pieces of Hadley Cove—shells, art work, flickering candles.
“Miles ...” she whispered. “What is this?”
“You’ll see.” He nudged her on.
As they walked through the human corridor, familiar faces greeted them—some with tears, others with knowing smiles. With each step, more people joined behind them.
At the cove, Wendi pressed a trembling hand to her lips. The area glowed with string lights between dunes, flowers arranged in the sand, and paintings of their story displayed on easels. Arthur stood at the water’s edge, Max beside him with a ridiculously large bowtie fastened to his collar. Emma, Mrs. Winters, and their closest friends formed a half-circle.
Miles faced her and took both her hands. “Wendi Parker.” His voice was quiet but steady. “When I was ten, you gave me a shell on this beach and said it was magic. You were right.” He reached into his pocket. “That day changed everything. I spent years trying to become someone worthy of that kindness, never knowing if I’d get to see you again.”
Max trotted over with something glinting on his collar. Miles reached down and took it off. In his hand was a ring nestled inside the spiral shell they’d treasured. “It took thirty-six years, a fire, and one nosy dog, but we’re here again, on the very spot we met.” He kneeled, looking up at her with glistening eyes. “I don’t want to waste another minute. Will you make me the luckiest man alive and marry me?”
Tears spilled over as she nodded, unable to contain the joy surging through her and into her bones. Her knees went weak. “Yes. Yes!”
The crowd erupted in cheers as Miles slipped the ring onto her finger. “I love you, Wendi.” He cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a tear.
A soft, shaky laugh escaped her. “I love you too, Miles.”
And then he kissed her.
It wasn’t rushed, nor hesitant—it was deep, certain, a kiss that made the years apart feel like nothing more than a prelude to this moment, to this stretch of sand, to each other. His lips were warm, lingering, in a way that made her believe he wanted to memorize the shape of her mouth and the way she fit against him. Salt clung to their skin and the scent of the ocean wrapped around them.
Above, the sky blazed in streaks of rose and lavender, melting into the golden panorama. The waves mirrored the day’s farewell, rippling with bands of liquid amber as they rolled toward the shore.
As the last sliver of sun dipped beneath the water, Wendi and Miles stood close, their foreheads touching, the shell resting between their hands—just like it had all those years ago.
Miles brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Since the day we left this cove, Wendi, we were always finding our way back.”
