Page 45 of Finding Haven (Haven #2)
One year later
There was a time when I didn’t think I would ever come back to Hartridge.
Too much had happened here. The town held a wealth of dark memories, though none darker than the ones that clung to Willowbend Bridge.
But I didn’t know that the taint on my soul would lead me towards a light brighter than anything else I’ve ever known.
I didn’t know that it would lead me to Quinn.
Falling in love and opening myself up to her has been the single greatest thing that’s happened to me, and none of it would’ve been possible without first having to fight my way through the shadows.
Which is why this bridge is the perfect place for another life-changing moment.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt the nervous swell of nerves in my stomach and an even longer time since I’ve done something with no expectation as to what the outcome might be.
The past year with Quinn has been an incredible journey.
She has helped me heal in a way I never thought possible simply by being there for me at every turn.
Because of her, I’ve clawed my way out of the nightmare-infested trenches and have finally allowed myself to bask in the light.
Because of her, I have a relationship with my family again and friendships that go beyond The Phoenix Legion and the assignments we handle.
Because of her, I’m ready to take this next step.
I’m ready to be her husband.
She has spent most of the morning and early afternoon with my mom and sister, getting pampered and being completely spoiled.
I want her to feel as beautiful as she is on a day we’ll always remember.
It took me a few moments to even form a coherent sentence when I picked her up from my sister’s.
Quinn stepped out onto the porch wearing a navy blue dress with a pink floral design, her honey-blonde hair curled in loose waves over her shoulders, and a pair of strappy heels that make her a few inches taller than normal.
Now, as the bridge comes into view and I pull our car off to the side of the road, my heart is thrashing in my chest. Over the last few months, Willowbend Bridge has been part of a total reconstruction project, making it safer and restoring it to the former beauty it was known for.
“What are we doing here?” Quinn asks, turning in her seat to face me.
When we came to town for Jake's birthday last year, I knew I needed to return here to truly find closure.
Quinn stood patiently by my side as I said an overdue goodbye to Ryan.
Afterwards, we spent what felt like hours on the bridge, watching the flowing river below as I shared memory after memory of this place with her.
Before the accident, in Hartridge local fashion, I'd always imagined that this would be where I would ask the woman of my dreams to become my wife.
Reaching over, I take her hand in mine and bring her knuckles to my lips, pressing a whisper soft kiss to each one.
“Come on, Sugar, I want to show you something.” I release her hand and step out of the car, using the time it takes to walk around to her side to take a few deep, calming breaths.
I open her door and hold out my hand for her.
“Someday, you’re gonna have to let me open my own door,” she quips with a smile, sliding her hand into mine.
I smile. “Not a chance, baby.”
The cool, gentle breeze helps to calm my heated skin as we walk hand-in-hand towards the center of the bridge.
I’ve spent the better part of the last eight months trying to figure out how I was going to do this and what I wanted to say.
Now that the moment is finally here, I realize that I didn’t need to worry about writing down and remembering a speech.
The words begin to flood my mind as we walk hand-in-hand over the bridge that changed the course of my life.
I take another steadying breath as we stop in the center.
The bridge is quiet, with the exception of the breeze and the rustling willow branches that sit on either side, and the lights that now line the outer edge of the bridge add to the warm glow of sunset.
Quinn always refers to this time of day as “golden hour” whenever she’s talking about photography.
“Before I met you, I’d spent so much time suffering alone in the dark.
I let my past trauma consume my life.” Keeping her hand in mine, I turn to face her, admiring the way the sunlight dances across her features.
It steals what little breath is left in my lungs.
My eyes meet hers as I begin to let the words spill from my mind.
“I’d gotten used to the idea of living my life alone.
I don’t think I even realized how trapped I’d become until I met you.
You caught my eye the night we met at the bar, and I’ve spent every day since falling more and more in love with you.
You chased away all the shadows with your light, and because of you.
. . with you , I feel like I’m finally living again. ”
Releasing her hands, I reach up to tuck a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as tears brim her eyes. “Zack?” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion as I reach into my pocket and pull out the small black velvet box I’ve been carrying around.
Fuck, if she cries, I’m going to cry.
Holding her gaze, I slowly drop to one knee and open the box, presenting her with the ring that I spent weeks agonizing over.
“Quinn, I love you more than I ever thought I’d love another person. If you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how incredible you are. I’ll love you and worship you and take care of you, even when you insist on doing everything yourself.”
A soft laugh bursts from her lips as she swipes away a tear as it begins to glide down her cheek.
“Will you marry me?”
One of her signature sun-rivaling smiles is the only answer I get before she bends down, wrapping her fist in the front of my black button-up shirt as she hauls my mouth to hers. My arms circle her waist as best I can while kneeling, smiling into the press of her lips.
“I love you, Sugar, but I’m gonna need your words for this one.”
“I love you, Zack. Of course, I’ll marry you.”