Page 108 of Ugly Duckling
He wrapped his arms around my waist and carried me off to the side.
Once there, he deposited me back on my feet, made sure I was steady, and then dropped down to one knee.
“What are you doing?” I gasped.
He had dried sweat on his forehead.
His eyes were an intense shade of blue when he replied, “I’m asking you to marry me, baby.”
I swallowed hard. “There aren’t any butterflies.”
He grinned. “Yes there are. Look.”
I looked around me, and sure enough, those flowers and butterflies written all over the white posterboards were all around us, being held in place by the spectator fence blocking them from getting any closer.
“You’re right,” I agreed. “There are.”
His face flashed with relief as he said, “Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me, Sutton Sway?”
I threw myself into his arms. “Of course I will.”
“Sixth place female finisher, with an official time of two hours, thirteen minutes, and eleven seconds, Sutton Sway!”
A sob broke free from my throat. “Soon to be Sutton Penn.”
Gunner sat up and hugged me tight. “God, I love you. And I’m so proud of you.”
I buried my face into his neck, uncaring of how stinky he smelled. “I’m proud of you, too. What was your time?”
He pulled back with his eyes shining. “Two hours and seven minutes.”
“Show off.”
Epilogue
I’m totally lacking the zip-a-dee part of my do-dah day.
—Gunner’s secret thoughts
GUNNER
One and a half years later
“It’ll be okay,” I promised myself.
My uncle was at my side as we walked Lottie into her first day of school.
The school was safe.
I’d done the security on it myself.
Lottie, none the wiser of my fear, hopped and skipped at my side.
“It’ll be okay,” Uncle Parker agreed.
I let her go at the door, like all the other parents had to do since security deemed it unsafe to allow unvetted individuals beyond that point, and said, “Love you, Lots.”
She waved at me. “Bye, Daddy. See you at noon!”
