A Shore Thing (38 page)

Blakey jumped up and down while holding onto my leg as if trying to uproot me from the earth.

Sheila and Vince arrived behind them, winded, followed by our parents and, surprisingly, both Jim and Nancy. My sister hugged my neck. “Exciting day,” she whispered. “Very proud of you.”

I allowed her praise to filter through me, knowing that although my family seemed to have gained an appreciation for me lately, a higher authority stood at the helm of this project. I could never have come up with such a sure thing on my own.

Jamison approached me, his family in tow. After the papers reported all the backroom shenanigans involving the council and the development ring, the rest of the council resigned. Jamison, however, apologized to the community pointing out that nothing illegal actually transpired, and in typical Otter Bay fashion, the residents chose to forgive. He faced me. “Ready?”

I cast a questioning glance at Natalia. She smiled and handed me a shovel while a photographer from the local paper focused a lens in my direction.

I held it there. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Natalia stepped forward. “For the double groundbreaking ceremony, Callie. We would like you to break ground for the community. I will do the honors on behalf of Pine Ridge Camp.”

I glanced at Jamison who surprised me with an apologetic smile and an open hand that ushered the way to a soft section of ground. “Please.”

Gage released me, offering an encouraging nod, and I handed him Moondoggy’s leash, my mind still trying to wrap its way around the past several months. Together, Natalia and I stuck the pointed edge of our shovels into the ground. Tears tickled my cheeks. On the count of three we pressed our blades into the soil symbolizing the start of both projects. The crowd cheered.

Ruth approached, her old floppy hat replaced by an even larger version of the last one. “Not bad, Callie. It’s a compromise, but I can live with it.”

Steph pulled me into her embrace, her voice laced with thickness. “Oh, Callie. What a miracle this is!”

I nodded, unable to speak without more emotion tumbling out. After she trotted away, a warm tug on my arm spun me into Gage’s embrace.

My arms found their way around him as one of his hands touched my face. “You up for another celebration?”

I tipped my chin until our lips were inches apart. I breathed him in, fighting the urge to steal a kiss. “What did you have in mind?”

He paused, his eyes searching mine. The sea danced to its own serenade behind us, but a bright spark caught the corner of my vision. I turned my head slightly to investigate only to find the prettiest diamond ring in his other hand.

I whipped a look back to Gage.

He held me with his gaze. “That fiery temper of yours was the best thing to ever happen to me. Will you . . . ?”

I smiled.

“. . . marry me?”

While taking in Gage’s eyes, the color of sea grass in the spring, I thought back on that day we met. Who knew that a couple of snarky surveyors and their wayward tripod could lead to this?

My grip around him tightened and I threw back my head, laughing into the wind. “Yes! Of course, I will marry you.” My heart fluttered and flapped around inside my body in a way I’d never known. I reveled in it, never wanting the moment to end, and yet longing for all that came along on the journey of a life well lived with the one I loved.

Moondoggy leapt to his hind legs and slapped me on the waist. I glanced down at my beloved pet and gave his silky head a swift rub.

Make that a life well lived with the
ones
I loved.