Her mare picked up speed until she loped a full length ahead.
Chase let them go as his own mount flagged, lagging behind but still enjoying the thrill of the chase.
Michelle reached the fence and wheeled her horse to run alongside the ramshackle structure. Her laughter expanded to afull bellow, and she ripped her hat off, waving it overhead. The mare turned away from the fence and circled back to Chase.
His horse snorted when Michelle rode past but kept going until they reached the gate. It had fallen years ago, leaving broken boards scattered in the deep grass. He’d thought about fixing it, but the symbol of things circling around back to where they’d begun dug deep and he’d ended up leaving it to rot back into the dirt after removing all the nails.
Michelle trotted around him, her circles growing smaller until she came back to ride at his side. “It’s amazing how much I missed this. Like part of me knew I was missing something, mainly memories, but also sensations.” Her wind-blown hair framed her pinked cheeks. She pushed the hat into place and relaxed into the saddle. “I feel like I have years of missing out to catch up on.”
“And you’re ready to do that?” Their talk yesterday cleared up a lot for him. He’d ended the night outside her car with a kiss goodnight and a promise to continue the conversation soon. Soon came today. Now. He’d waited years for her. He’d have waited the rest of his life if that’s what it took.
Her nod unlocked the final chain wrapped around his heart, but hearing her voice the confirmation completely did him in. “I’m not leaving Blue River. My boss is ready to hire my replacement, and I’m planning to talk to Penny at the library next week to see what my options are.”
His mind flashed back to the day she left and how much regret he’d allowed to sit between them. “I don’t ever want you to be unhappy here.”
“I won’t be.” She held out her hand to him. “I needed those years in the city to show me that it’s not where I belong. I was just too stubborn to come home sooner.”
He stopped his gelding when they reached the last fence post where the wood crumbled and another stretch of woods began.“Being away from you is one of the hardest things I’ve ever endured.”
She nodded and dismounted. Her mare dropped her head to the grass and chomped. Michelle looped the reins around the post and waited for him, her head raised to watch him from beneath her hat.
The love in that look was all he needed to dismount and take her hands in his. “We fell in love with each other years ago. It was so easy that I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with you.”
He led her to the spot where they’d sat as teenagers and talked about everything and nothing. Years of memories he’d hid from but were never wasted. “I thought it would take me longer to make this decision.”
“Which one?” She nudged a rotted board with her boot. “Finally going to fix this fence?”
“Nah.” He waved that off with a brush of his hand. They stood shoulder to shoulder, their arms around each other’s backs. It was a comfortable, familiar stance. Love for her and this place made it hard to speak, to breathe. “I love you more with every day that passes.”
Her hat dropped over the fence post, and her head tucked into his shoulder. “I may never get the rest of my memories back, but with or without them, I couldn’t love you more.”
A breeze ruffled her hair, lifting soft strands to tickle his chin. The horses chewed their way through a clump of grass and moved to snatch mouthfuls from a second patch. He monitored their progress even as he rested his cheek on top of Michelle’s head.
Forever passed in a moment, and he saw their future, the future he’d thought long gone. “I want you to get the rest of your memories back, but even if you don’t, I’m ready to build a future with you. No matter what, I’m here for you.”
“I have to be one of the most blessed women in the world to have you love me.” She wrapped her other arm across his stomach and locked her hands together at his hip.
The press of her body distracted him momentarily, but he dragged his attention back to the promise he’d meant to make. “You know what I find funny?”
“Oh no.” She groaned and raised her head. “You’re turning the tables on me.”
He chuckled and dug a hand into his pocket. “I think it’s funny that I still have this.”
The old velvet box was a little worse for wear. Most of the burgundy velvet had worn off over the years, and the hinge creaked when he popped it open. “It’s not a marriage proposal. But it is a promise.”
“Is that…” Her index finger landed on the edge of the box and tipped it toward her. “Is that the same ring?”
“Yes.” His breath caught at the look in her eyes, the unshed tears and years of longing that spiraled into a deep well. “I do want to marry you, Michelle. And I’ll propose when the time is right. For now, I wanted to offer you this, a promise that I’m yours. Now and forever.”
“I accept.” She sniffled and ducked her head. “I want to marry you too. I’m okay with waiting a little while longer.” A short laugh rattled out. “We waited fifteen years.”
And he’d thought for a while it might kill him to wait any longer. He’d debated proposing today, but it wasn’t the right time.Not yetwas the answer he’d been given when he prayed about it. Soon, but not yet.
He didn’t understand why, but one thing he’d learned through the years was to listen when God gave him direction. Even if they loved each other, even if God was in the middle of their relationship, their obedience and willingness to listento God above their own wants mattered. So, he waited, and he offered his promise.
“I’m willing to wait forever if that’s what it takes.” Her whispered promise echoed his thoughts back at him.
He slid the ring out of the box and onto her right hand. Her palm cupped his cheek, and he kissed her until all thoughts fell away. Someday, they’d stand before God and their families and say ‘I do’ but not until God gave permission.
