Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
“Tamlyn,” I say, my voice rougher than I intended.
She looks up, her fork paused mid-air, her eyes questioning. I stand, pushing back from the table and pulling the box from my pocket. The second I drop to one knee, the whole room goes silent. The clinking of forks, the low hum of conversation—all of it stops.
Tamlyn’s eyes widen, her breath catching as she realizes what’s happening. My heart pounds so hard I’m sure she can hear it, but I push through the nerves. I have to do this. I want to do this.
“Tamlyn,” I start, my voice finally finding its rhythm. “You came here, to Copper Mountain, and turned my whole world upside down. I didn’t think I needed anyone—thought I’d just spend my days chopping wood and living out my life here on my own.”
I pause, my hand trembling slightly as I open the ring box, revealing the simple, pear-shaped diamond ring inside. Her eyes dart to it, then back to me, wide with emotion. “But you… you made me see things differently. You’ve become my home. And I don’t want to imagine my life without you in it. Will you marry me?”
The air feels thick, heavy with anticipation, and for a moment, it’s like the whole café is holding its breath. I feel like I’m suspended in time, waiting, my heart lodged firmly in my throat.
Tamlyn’s hands fly to her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears as she looks down at me. She’s silent for a beat, overwhelmed, and I can see the love, the surprise, the sheer emotion swirling in her eyes. Then, she lowers her hands, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Yes. Yes, Barron, I already said yes once in the woods, but I’ll say it again: I’ll marry you.”
Relief crashes over me like a wave, and I stand, sliding the ring onto her finger before pulling her into my arms. The café erupts into cheers, the sound of clapping and shouts filling the room. I kiss her, long and slow, right there in front of everyone, not caring about the applause or the looks from my brothers. This is for us. I needed to do this the right way–we had our moment alone in the woods, and now we have this one–a real proposal with a ring in front of everyone and God to see.
The first voice I hear, of course, is Creed’s, his deep voice booming from across the café. “Well, damn, Barron! Didn’t think you had it in you to do it in front of a crowd.”
I pull away from Tamlyn, grinning, still holding her close. Judge raises his glass, a smirk on his face. “Guess the bachelor streak is finally over.”
Archer shakes his head, laughing. “Who would’ve thought you’d be the first one of us to go down? Always figured you’d be the last.”
I throw my arm around Tamlyn, who’s laughing too, her eyes bright with joy. “Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time for you lot to join me,” I shoot back. “I don’t expect I’ll be the only one getting hitched around here.”
Betty, who’s been standing near the counter, comes rushing over, her hands clasped in front of her chest, tears in her eyes. “Oh, I knew it!” she exclaims, practically bouncing with excitement. “I knew you two were meant to be. And don’t you worry, I’ll help plan that wedding. We’ll make it the talk of Copper Mountain!”
I raise an eyebrow at Tamlyn, who laughs softly, her cheeks flushed with emotion. “What do you think?” I ask her, my voice warm, teasing. “Do we let Betty take over?”
Tamlyn chuckles, leaning into my side, her voice filled with happiness. “I think we’d be crazy to say no.”
As we make our way toward the door, Betty calls out after us, her voice full of playful command. “And don’t you forget to start working on those mountain babies! This town’s been waiting long enough for the next generation of Steele men.”
I chuckle, throwing my arm around Tamlyn’s shoulders as we step outside. The cool mountain air hits us, but the warmth of the moment lingers between us. I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“What do you say?” I murmur, my voice low and playful. “Think we can handle a few of those mountain babies?”
Tamlyn smiles up at me, her heart full, her eyes soft. “I think we’ll manage just fine.”
Epilogue
Tamlyn - six weeks later
The air at the top of Copper Mountain is crisp, clean, and filled with the scent of pine and wild earth. It feels like home. I stand at the edge of the clearing, my white dress catching in the soft breeze, the fabric swaying against my legs. The view is endless—rolling hills and valleys stretch out beneath me, a sea of green and blue that goes on forever, much like the life I’m about to step into.