She stuck out her hand to show off the gorgeous princess cut diamond that shimmered under the light. “It’s perfect,” Sierra said, turning her hand back and forth to examine all the angles. “It’s made for you.”
“I know! Tell the truth—did you help him set this whole thing up? It was almost too idyllic. Everything a romance writer would want in a proposal. He even timed the sunset!”
Sierra wrinkled her nose. “I wish I could take credit but this was all Brick. He asked if I wanted to be involved but I said no. I thought it would be better if it was planned with his vision.”
Aspen’s eyes danced. “Because you know you’re a bossy control-freak and you’d take over?”
“No! I was being respectful.” She gave a little huff. “The sunset was my idea, okay? But he didn’t warn me when it would happen.”
Her sister cocked her head. “And the ring?”
Sierra paused. “I just told him what cut was your favorite and that you liked things…big.”
Aspen burst out laughing. “I knew it. I’m glad you were involved. And get ready—because you have a lot of work ahead being my maid of honor. You know I suck at organizing things and I need you.”
Her insides turned to mush. She stared at her sister, face glowing with joy, and swore everything that they’d been through was worth it to get to this moment. “I’ll be here one hundred percent. I’m so proud of you. Mom and Dad would be, too.”
Aspen bit her lip and nodded. “We’ve come a long way, huh?”
“Us? Let’s see, you got left at the altar and my husband cheated on me with a man. I’d say we completed more miles than Forrest Gump.”
Her sister punched her shoulder. “Stop! I meant finding our way even with our mistakes. It wasn’t as if we had anyone to turn to for advice.” Her face clouded briefly. “It was bad for a while. I’m not sure I could have gotten through it without you, Sierra. Have I ever told you that?”
She swallowed back a lump in her throat. “Yes. But I still blame myself for not trying to stop your wedding. I should’ve fought harder. I wondered if Mom would have known what to do or say.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. I had to follow it through so I can get to the good parts.”
Sierra laughed. After the heartbreak, Aspen had written a bestselling book that changed her life. And now she was happily engaged to a man who was her soulmate. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I am.”
They smiled at each other. “We have to celebrate,” Sierra said.
Aspen’s brown eyes lit up. “Yes, I want to do dinner Friday night. Just immediate family for now. Can you keep the news quiet for a little bit? We’re not ready to shout it to the world yet. It feels like this big yummy secret we want to enjoy.”
“That’s so damn romantic. Absolutely, I will keep my mouth shut, and we’ll have a simple celebration Friday night with Brick.”
“Thanks, Sierra.”
“Want me to bring you a new dress from the store? I got a shipment from that designer you adore.”
Her sister bit her lip. “Oh, that’s tempting. No—let’s save it for another occasion. I want to kick back and do casual for Friday.”
“Done.”
“Awesome. I have to get some writing done. I’m behind. See you later.”
Sierra pulled her in for one more hug. “Love you.”
“I know.”
She cracked up at the Hans Solo/Princess Leia impression and watched Aspen float out the door, wild dark curls bouncing, and drive away.
Emotions struck in wild waves. She stood still for a while and allowed herself to feel them all. Her sister was finally going to marry the right man, and damned if she wouldn’t help with every detail so her wedding was perfect.
God, she wished her parents were here. It had taken years to get used to their absence, but somehow, she missed them even more during the good times. She’d just need to make sure Aspen was surrounded by so much love that her sister wouldn’t feel the bite of grief.
A sigh escaped as she dropped in the rocking chair. The spark of new beginnings lit the air. A longing for something she couldn’t name stirred within her. She craved to do something wild and different. Take a chance on a new endeavor. Leap into the unknown and open herself to risk.
