“I’ve let you down in so many ways, Christine. I didn’t tell you the whole truth about the day my father died. I didn’t stand up for myself against Evy or express my feelings for you. I haven’t felt worthy of anyone’s affection for years, much less been able to feel worthy of love when it’s offered without expectation.”
He still knelt at her feet, on one knee. “I was afraid. Not that I’d try to kill myself again, but that someone I loved wouldn’t believe I wouldn’t try. And so I locked myself away with expensive ties, trying to feel safe. Instead, I felt empty and lost and alone.”
“This is better than when you proposed to Emma,” Flynn whispered to Will.
Everyone shushed him. Everyone except Christine.
“I’ll always have this crazy extended family.” He paused. “Did you know Hiro Takata wants to adopt me? I don’t understand how so many people find something to like about me, but I’m hoping you’ll find many things to love about me.”
He took off the engagement ring he’d slipped onto his pinky when he’d reached in his pocket and held it up to her. “I love you, Christine. I know we only met less than a month ago, but sometimes you just realize deep down in your heart that you want to spend the rest of your life with someone. I want to spoil you with great shoes and fancy dresses, even if they have feathers. I want to work as hard at loving you as you work in the vineyard. And I promise you that I will never leave you of my own free will. I’m yours from this day forward, from now until forever.”
Tears in her eyes, Christine drew him to his feet. “How could I turn down an offer like that? Especially when I love you so very much.”
“Maybe because he never popped the question,” Flynn ribbed.
He’d been so nervous he’d forgotten to actually ask her. “Will you marry me?” he blurted.
“Yes.” Grinning, she slid her hands up to rest on either side of his neck. “I’ve been waiting for someone who deserves my love and loyalty.”
Slade was so happy. There was only one thing missing. “The girls are going to be upset that they missed this.”
“Not to worry.” Nate waved his cell phone. “I recorded the whole thing.”
* * *
LATER, WHEN THE champagne had been popped and toasts made, when family members, extended and otherwise, had been notified, when the sun had gone down over the mountains to the west, Slade leaned against the railing on Flynn’s porch, his arm around Christine.
They were serenaded by frogs and crickets down by the river as Slade counted off how blessed he was with Faith, Grace, Christine, Hiro, Flynn, Will, Becca, Emma, Nate, Agnes... He was running out of fingers.
“This rock is huge.” Christine turned her finger so the five-carat ring glittered in the porch light.
He caressed the finger that wore his ring so well. “Does that mean you want to trade it in for something else? We could go smaller.”
“No.” She clutched her hand to her chest. “You said you wanted to spoil me, and you did just that. But it’s not a ring I can wear every day in the vineyard, especially not during harvest.”
“I could buy you an everyday wedding band.”
“You don’t have to.”