Page 42 of Christmas With The Broken Mountain Man
We haven't discussed the future in concrete terms, marriage, children, forever, but I feel it in moments like this. The unspoken certainty that what we've found is lasting.
Later, bundled in coats and scarves, we hike the trail to Eagle Ridge. Fresh snow crunches beneath our boots, the forest silent except for the occasional call of a bird or the distant crack of a branch giving way under the weight of snow. I lead the way, holding Destiny's gloved hand in mine, pointing out animal tracks and spectacular views.
"This is where you grew up?" she asks, gazing around in wonder. "Playing in these woods?"
"Every day I could escape chores." I help her over a fallen log. "My sister and I knew these mountains like the back of our hands."
"I can't imagine growing up somewhere so beautiful." She tilts her face to the sky, catching snowflakes on her eyelashes. "San Diego has its charms, but this...this feels like magic."
"Wait until you see summer," I say, then pause, realizing the assumption in my words. But Destiny just smiles, squeezing my hand.
"I can't wait," she says simply.
We reach the ridge just as the afternoon sun breaks through the clouds, casting the valley below in golden light. The view is breathtaking, miles of snow-covered forest, the town of Whisper Vale nestled between mountains, smoke rising from chimneys in lazy spirals.
"It's like something from a Christmas card," Destiny breathes, eyes wide. "I've never seen anything so beautiful."
I wrap my arms around her from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder. "I have."
She laughs, turning in my embrace to face me. "Charmer."
"Just honest." I tuck a curl that's escaped her hat behind her ear. "You changed everything for me, Destiny. You know that, right?"
Her expression softens. "I feel the same way about you. You gave me my life back."
"You did that yourself. I just provided the landing spot."
"No." She shakes her head firmly. "It was more than that. You believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself. You saw me, really saw me, when I'd been invisible for so long."
Her words strike a chord deep within me. Isn't that what we all want, in the end? To be truly seen, truly known, and loved anyway?
"I have something for you," I say, suddenly nervous. "An early Christmas present."
"You didn't have to get me anything."
"I wanted to." I reach into my pocket, pulling out a small box wrapped in silver paper. "Open it."
She looks at me curiously before carefully unwrapping the package. Inside is a velvet box that makes her eyes widen.
"Mason..."
"It's not an engagement ring," I say quickly, not wanting her to think I'm rushing her. "Not unless you want it to be. Just...open it."
She lifts the lid with trembling fingers. Inside is a delicate silver band set with a small peridot stone, the same shade of green as the first dress she wore to enchant Whisper Vale.
"It's beautiful," she whispers, eyes shining.
"It's a promise." I take the ring from the box. "A promise that you always have a home here. With me. For as long as you want it."
"And if I want it forever?"
The question steals my breath. "Then it's yours forever."
She holds out her right hand, and I slide the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly, the green stone catching the light.
"I've been so afraid," she admits quietly. "Not of Greg, not anymore. Afraid of how fast this happened, how completely I fell for you. Afraid that I was just clinging to the first safe harbor I found."
I wait, letting her work through her thoughts.
