Page 75 of Capture the Moment
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said. “Where’s my Katie-Kat?”
Katie-Kat. Sooo cute! But then Maisie’s smile faltered. “Um, actually, at the moment, I’m not quite sure where Kate is. I haven’t seen her today.”
Oliver’s expression fell, disappointment clouding his beautiful features. “She hasn’t answered my texts or calls, either. Where could she have gone?”
Frankie gave Maisie a nudge and she looked to see him tip his head toward the parking lot. Coop’s truck had just come rumbling in and Kate was in the passenger seat.Perfect timing.This was meant to be! “Oh look—there she is.” Maisie tugged on Oliver’s jacket. “Let’s go! She’ll besoexcited to see you.”
Kate had climbed out of the truck and hoisted her backpack over her shoulder when she caught sight of Oliver and Maisie approaching the truck. Kate froze, looking stunned. Dirty and tired, too. Not a great look for a wedding proposal moment. Maybe Maisie should’ve given her a heads-up.
“Oliver,” Kate said in a flat voice. “Whatare you doing here?”
Uh-oh.Maisie thought Kate’s tone sounded ... irritated.Yep.She definitely should’ve given her a heads-up.
Oliver’s gorgeous smile faltered, but he quickly composed himself. “I came to see you, of course.”
Maisie watched as Kate’s expression softened slightly. Okay, there was hope.
Oliver eyed Coop. “And you are...”
“Ranger Grant Cooper,” Coop said.
“Kate,” Oliver said, eyes on Coop, “is this who you said you had to meet up with? The two of you spent all afternoon together?”
Frankie elbowed Maisie and mouthed, “See? I told you.”
Coop hoisted his backpack over one shoulder. “I think I’lljust head over to the visitor center. Maisie and Frankie, why don’t you come with me?”
“I can’t,” Maisie said, holding up her smartphone. “I’m needed here.”
“Why?” Kate looked at her in confusion. “What’s going on?”
“Something wonderful!” Maisie clapped her hands. “I’ve been in cahoots with Oliver!”
“What do you mean?” Kate looked from Maisie to Oliver and back to Maisie. “How do you know each other?”
Maisie glanced at Oliver. “There’s a special surprise waiting for you! We need to go to Oxbow Bend.” She glanced at the sun, already worrisomely low in the horizon. Almost disappearing. “Right now!”
“Yes,” Oliver said. “We should hurry. My rental car’s over there.”
Kate squinted in confusion. “Oliver, this isn’t a good time,” she said, her tone apologetic but firm. “In fact, it’s a terrible time.”
“Kate, I came a long, long way ... to see Oxbow Bend at sunset. To be with you.”
“But I told you that I was here to work.” Kate sounded like she was upset. Really upset. “You just don’t listen to me, Oliver.”
“But I do! You’ve made Oxbow Bend sound magical. You said it was the most beautiful sight in the world.”
“Forphotography.For viewing wildlife.” Now Kate’s voice had a sharp edge.
Maisie exchanged a worried glance with Oliver, unsure of how to proceed. He seemed baffled too. What was going wrong? She had wanted today to be so perfect. The sun was already setting behind the mountains. Now it would be too late for the perfect Oxbow Bend videography she had planned.
She felt Coop’s hand on her shoulder as he steered her away from Oliver and Kate and toward the visitor center.
Maisie kept looking over her shoulder. She stopped when she saw Oliver bend down on one knee and hold out a little jewelry box to her. The ring! Maisie hadn’t had a chance to see it. To give it her approval.
Coop and Frankie stopped and turned around. All three watched the wedding proposal in the parking lot of the visitor center. Kate had her arms crossed against her chest. She didn’t look at all happy.
Coop squeezed Maisie’s shoulder. “Let’s let the two of them sort things out.”
