“This is heaven,” Tory told Liam as they headed back.
“Everywhere you are is heaven.”
When they got to the stable, Ethan was waiting for them. “I’ll take care of the horses. You go on inside. Autumn’s waiting for you.”
“So are we staying here or not?” Tory whispered to Liam as they walked hand in hand to the large back deck.
“Maybe,” he teased.
“I don’t have any clothes with me.”
“Don’t be too sure about that.”
Tory had to laugh when she saw a familiar suitcase just inside the door.
“Olivia helped,” Liam admitted with a smile.
She’d have to thank her sister for that. Olivia was becoming more than a sister—she was a good friend.
“Here are more provisions in case you get hungry tonight. There’s a storage locker out there so no critters get into it,” Autumn said, handing Liam another picnic basket.
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“That’s my job. And it’s my pleasure, too. Sounds like your families worked really hard to put out the fire at the Ridley property. I’m glad you’re getting some time off.”
As they made their way out again, Tory sighed at the colors of the setting sun and the splendor of the faraway mountains silhouetted against darkening sky.
Liam led her along a path between the trees to a wooded area where Chance Creek formed the border of the spread. The chirping of crickets and the quiet gurgle of the creek filled her with peace and reminded her of the first night she and Liam had spent together.
This place was amazing, but she thought she would have been as happy with another camping trip, somewhere out in the woods, just her and Liam—
Tory’s breath caught in her throat when they rounded a bend and found themselves in a small clearing lit by fairy lights hung from branches. A large tentlike structure made of mosquito netting enclosed a plush king mattress on a wooden frame. They’d get unobstructed views of the stars from there.
Joy welled inside her. “Liam, it’s—”
Her breath caught once again when she turned to find him down on one knee.
“Liam?”
“I know I already asked and you said yes, but I need to do this right. Tory Cooper, you know I love you, and I always will. I plan to spend my life doing everything I can to keep you safe and happy. I will work to build bridges between our families and create a home for you and any children we might decide to have. So I’m asking you—again—will you marry me?”
He opened the tiny velvet-covered box he held in his hand and took out a beautiful silver ring set with a princess cut diamond.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “Liam—it’s perfect.”
“Just like you. What do you say?”
Tory thought of the days—and nights—she’d spent with Liam. How easy it was to be with him—and how wonderful when they made love. She thought of how lonely she’d been in Seattle and how much she’d missed Olivia, Lance and Steel.
She thought of the way her family and Liam’s had worked together to battle the fire at the Ridley property and the way they were all working to better Chance Creek, even if they were doing it to win the Founder’s Prize.
She’d said it before, and she’d say it again for the rest of her life. “Yes. I love you. I’ll marry you. I’ll stay right here in Chance Creek with you forever.”
Liam surged to his feet.
“Then you’ll make me the happiest man in the world.” He picked her up and swung her around. When he set her down again, he slipped the ring on her finger.
“It fits perfectly,” she said.
“You like it?” Liam asked.
“I love it.” She turned to him, went up on tiptoe and kissed the underside of his chin. “Now how about that bed? I want to see if all that netting really keeps out the mosquitos.”
“We’ll have to get naked in order to give it a proper trial.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Fifteen
August had drawn to a close, but the sun still beat down. Liam, getting ready for the wedding, was glad to be inside for the moment. They had scheduled the ceremony early in the evening, hoping to avoid the worst of the heat, and had chosen their outdoor location carefully to maximize the shade.
The prolonged drought had stretched everyone in town to their limit, and when he and Tory had discussed the wedding, they’d decided to arrange it for maximum ease and comfort. They told their guests to dress casually, planned the ceremony outside in the same area they would hold the reception, and chose salads and finger foods to serve with a basic barbecue meal. When the time finally came, Liam headed to the small grove on the edge of Thorn Hill. Tory and the other women had done a fantastic job transforming the place with lights and greenery into something magical.
Liam took his place by a simple makeshift altar, joined by Noah as his best man. Reverend Joe Halpern stood with them while the guests took their places in rustic wooden chairs arranged amid the trees.
He smiled when he saw a favorite local band stealthily setting up off to one side. It was almost time. When the band started an acoustic version of the wedding march, everyone’s eyes turned to the path leading into the grove.
“Here they come,” he heard someone say. Olivia led the way in a pretty light-blue sundress, but when he caught sight of Tory, Liam forgot about everyone else. She had made one concession to traditional extravagance, and Liam thought her elegant white wedding dress had been worth every penny. Lance walked her down the aisle, and while Liam knew Tory wished Steel could be here, he could see the joy shining in her eyes and knew even her brother’s absence couldn’t ruin the day for her.
“Take care of my sister, you hear?” Lance said when he put her hand in Liam’s.
“Will do. You can count on me,” Liam assured
