Page 78 of Reclaimed Roots

"Hey, you," Natalie said, her voice soft and warm.

I stood up so quickly I nearly tripped over my own feet, rubbing the back of my neck as heat crept up my face. "Hey. Sorry, I didn't mean to?—"

"It's fine," Natalie assured me. "I don't believe in that old superstition. I could wear my dress all day, every day from now until the wedding and it wouldn't change a thing."

The easy confidence in her reply settled something in me. I wasn't sure why I was nervous. She had already agreed to marry me after seven years apart. I just... I wanted to give her the world. Make all her dreams come true, bring every fantasy to life. Right here in Sable Point. With me.

"I have a surprise for you," I said.

Her eyes lit up, and a mischievous smile spread over her face. "Ice cream?" she asked, eyebrows raised in mock hope.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Better than ice cream."

"Ah, cake," she declared, nodding sagely.

"Not cake, you goof." I reached for her hand. "Come on."

I led her out of her mom's house, and we stepped into the cool spring night. My heart was pounding so hard I was convinced she could hear it, but I tried to keep my cool as weapproached the spot where my truck nestled between the trees.

I had spent hours setting this up, and now that we were here, I was suddenly nervous as hell. The bed of my pickup was decked out with a blow-up mattress, pillows, and blankets. I had snacks stashed in a cooler and a movie projection screen rigged up against the cab. Twinkle lights I had swiped from Charlie's room were strung along the sides, casting a soft glow over everything.Cinderellawas cued up and ready to go, just waiting for us to hit play.

My palms were sweating as I turned to Natalie, searching her face for a reaction. "Do you like it?"

She took in the scene, lips parting in surprise. For a heart-stopping moment, I was terrified she hated it. But then a radiant smile bloomed across her face.

"Jasper!" She squeezed my hand. "This is... it's perfect."

"Yeah? You like it?"

"Iloveit. How did you even manage all this?"

"I have my ways."

She laughed, the sound light and carefree, and I was struck again by how much I loved her.

My hands lingered on her waist as I helped her climb into the truck. She settled onto the mattress, and I grabbed the cooler before joining her.

"Snacks?" I offered, popping the lid open.

Natalie peeked inside, grinning. "Ooh, Junior Mints!"

"Of course. And some of that fancy cheese you like. Oh, and..." I reached into the cooler, pulling out a bottle with a flourish. "Ta-da! Apple cider."

Shelaughed again, shaking her head. "Look at you, thinking of everything."

I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers in a soft kiss. "I just want tonight to be perfect. It's a special day, after all."

She pulled back slightly, frowning as she met my gaze. "It is?"

"Yep. Ten years ago today, in this very spot, I told you I loved you for the first time. Love you more now than I did then." She smiled up at me, and I cleared my throat, reaching for the remote. "Now, you ready for some Cinderella magic?"

She snuggled closer, resting her head on my shoulder. "Hit it, Prince Charming."

The movie started to play. Natalie's warm weight settled against me and the scent of apple blossoms drifted on the night air.

But I wasn't watching the movie. I was watching her.

Munching on her popcorn.

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