Page 81 of Uproot

“I promise I will tell her,” Bianca agrees, dabbing her eyes and smiling sadly. “I think it’s long overdue that we set some things straight with one another.”

“Good,” I respond. “I came here to start over with you so we could have a better understanding between us. But I also came here for another reason.”

I stand up, going into my pocket to retrieve a square, black, box.

Bianca gasps, standing to her feet. “Oh my goodness! Are you going to..”

I open the box so that she can see the ring inside.

It is a six carat, Asscher cut diamond I had shipped in from New York. Natalie helped me get it designed by her father who is a jeweler in Manhattan. It’s big enough that another man can see it from down the street, but still as demure, and uniquely elegant, as my beautiful woman.

“I want to ask you for Selah’s hand in marriage. I’m moving here to Upwood, and I want to keep building my life withher. I’ll take care of her until my last breath, and I don’t just mean financially. I mean in every way she wants and needs,” I promise confidently. “I know it’s customary to ask the father, or stepfather, but..”

“But Selah and Carey are not close. I know, Beckett,” Bianca finishes for me. “Something else I need to make right.”

She gently puts her hand on my arm, “Her father would have loved you Beckett. You remind me of him in a lot of ways. He was a good man, and I can tell you are too. You more than have my blessing to marry her.”

I give her a small smile, pretending to be relieved.

The truth is I would have married Selah even if her mother stood on top of her house and condemned it for the entire city to hear. But it will be good to start the next chapter of our life together as husband and wife being on good terms with everyone.

“Thank you, Ms. Garrett,” I respond, putting the ring back into my pocket.

I finish my espresso and we talk for a few more minutes before I stand up and take both of our cups to the sink. I pick up the package I brought for her and bring it over to her, placing it in her hands.

“Please open it,” I say, putting my hands in my pockets.

She smiles and takes off the wrapping paper, and her eyes widen when she sees what’s inside.

It’s a framed picture I took of Selah and Edison from his birthday party. They both are happy and glowing, hugging each other as they pose by his birthday cake.

“She deserves to be on the wall in that hallway just as much as anyone else in your family. And Edison will be a part of your family now too,” I explain.

Bianca nods, placing it down on the kitchen counter. “I’ll go get a hook and hang it up right away,” she promises, smiling earnestly.

Bianca walks me to the door and I shake her hand before I leave, feeling a bit of a weight lifted off of my shoulders. My mission here is complete, and I’ve had more than enough time away from Selah today.

I hope that this will be a fresh start for their future.

I’m almost back to the cabin when a call comes through on my Bluetooth. I answer it quickly seeing it’s Daniel, Charlies lawyer, calling.

Today was the first day of Charlie’s trial, and Daniel promised to keep me updated on how things are progressing.

“Good morning, Daniel. How are things?” I ask.

“Good morning, Mr. Kade. I’m happy to tell you some good news finally,” he responds and I furrow my eyebrows.

“Charlie finally agreed to take a plea deal before his trial started today. It wasn’t as great as what the DA originally offered him, but better than the alternative. He will have a $15,000 fine and serve a 10-year sentence. With good behavior, he may be out in 8 years.”

I relax my hand, not even realizing the tight grip I had on the steering wheel. “That is surprisingly not the worst outcome. How did you finally convince him to negotiate?” I ask.

“I asked him to think about his life when he got out of prison fifteen plus years from now. I asked him to consider how much better it would be getting out when he was thirty-five, or thirty-seven, versus the alternative. I think it woke him up a little bit,” Daniel explains.

“You’re a good lawyer Daniel, and a much more patient man than I am for sure,” I respond. “Thank you for all of your work with him.”

We speak for a few more minutes until I reach the cabin, and park the car out front. I sit there for a few minutes thinking over everything that has happened with Charlie since I arrived here.

His future has always been so uncertain, but now he has a definite long stint behind bars for at least the next 8 years of his life. Part of me truly hopes that he uses that time to get himself clean, and think about what really matters.

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