Page 104 of Feverburn

I put a hand over hisheart.“I’m glad it didn’t come to that.”We stared into each other’s eyes, words simply not enough. Astrongsurgeof passion rose and fell in my body. Sucking in a deep breath, I asked,“Where do we go from here?”

“I know this town has been hard on you, but will you stay in Pine Bluff?”

I scooted even closer. And with asillyvoice, I said,“Yes.”He already knew my answer.

“Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

I scooted even closer.“Yes.”

He fought a smile with my lighthearted responses.“When the time is right, will you help me fill our lives, and this cabin will little Greeks?”

“They’d only be a quarter,”I corrected.

“Yeah, but they’d be all me and you. That’s thebestpart.”

“I agree. And yes, I’dloveto. Our kids are going to have our cute butts and green eyes. I can’t wait.”

He wrapped an arm around me, grabbing a handful of ass as he swooped me in even closer.“You’re going to be my mountain mama.”

I snorted,“John Denver, eat yourheartout!”before he lowered his lips to mine.

We werelyingin the hammock a couple of days later. It was a peaceful Sunday, with crisp October air. Carson’s warm chest and the gentle waves put me right to sleep. I needed all the healing I could get from my accident, and on some level, I knew Carson liked holding space for restful moments for me. He was mystrongand steady.

A ruff from Kiszka woke me up. He tended to curl up underneath our hammock, sticking close to us. Pulling up, I caught Carson’s eyes already fixed on me.

“You know Iloveyou, right?”he asked.

“Yes. Iloveyou, too.”Why was he acting so nervous? His hands brushed my shoulders, moving some of my hair off my forehead before kissing it. The sun was about to set, blasting the sky with an amber glow. Carson untangled me, standing up from the hammock and helping me out of it as well.

His hand moved to his pocket as he got down on one knee. My whole world slowed, my senses barely noticing birdsong far off in the forest, Kizzy’s snoot pressing into my thigh, and the sunset lighting up my lover’s hazel eyes.

“Roisin Hayes, will you marry me?”With his question, he opened a small wooden box with a sparkly ring inside.

“Yes,”I said, bursting into tears.“Yes! Absolutely!”I covered my face with my hands as he hugged me. My whole body shook with both sobs and overwhelmed giggles. After a few moments and some kisses, I asked,“How long have you been planning that?”

“Oh, I got the ring while we were in Boston. Remember when I left to get us breakfast the next morning? I had it all set and made. Just needed to swing by to pick it up from the jeweler.”

My eyes flitted to the ring in the box, then back to him.“No way!”

“Yeah, I wanted to meet your mom again before I asked you. Talk it over, and make sure she was okay with me proposing to her baby. You’re your own woman, but her blessing was important to me.”He slid the ring on my finger. We both stared at the marquis-cut pinkish stone surrounded by a halo of diamonds on a gold band. It was auniqueandunexpectedchoice I instantly fell inlovewith. I adored how it looked on my hand alongside my signature dark nails and ginger complexion.“It’s even morganite,”he added.

“Wait, this was before we broke thecurse. How did you know? We both picked morganite?”

He cradled my face with a stunning grin.“What can I say,magissa? We are connected.”

Chapter Forty-One

After Rosie spent a couple of days healing up at home, we attended the harvest festival in the town square. Rosie hadn’t been to town or work since the incident, and I knew she was nervous about seeing everyone again.

The festival was like a nighttime farmers’ market with a small stage for a cover band. Lots of twinkly lights and fall foliage filled the event with warm colors. It was a good turnout, with hundreds of Pine Bluffians shuffling about eating, perusing, dancing, and laughing.

Rosie looked like an autumn queen, her red hair flowing and a cozy brown sweater keeping her warm. I felt like a typical Mainer in my flannel and beanie beside her. Several familiar faces gawked at Rosie and me, walking around hand-in-hand, her engagement ring sparkling.

Waiting for the band to finish a song, I squeezed her hand, releasing it to charge right for the stage. I scowled at the singer while taking the mic out of his hands. From there, I felt emboldened and slightly unhinged.

“Hey, everyone. Um…I know you allhateme and think I’m cursed. But I wanted you to know that Ilovethis woman.”I gestured to Rosie, who stared at me with her jaw hanging open.

“He speaks!”Officer Boyd heckled.

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