Page 24 of Into the Sun

“Huh,” I said.

His face fell, and I started laughing, unable to keep it together. His shoulders sank in relief.

“You go on and ask her,” I said. “Good luck.”

“Thanks,” he breathed. “And don’t tell anybody, please.”

I drove all the way home, thinking about how damn good those kids have it, and that’s by design.

I was expecting an engagement announcement at any point, but clearly Gage wasted no time. They’re all in the kitchen, Della blowing her nose and dabbing her eyes. Coffee bubbles, forgotten on the stove. We walk in, and Julie-Mae goes to show Landis her ring. Toby is playing on the floor, but he jumps up when he sees me, running hard. I scoop him up.

“Show your dad the rock,” says Della, appearing at my side. She takes Toby from my arms, bouncing him on her hip.

Julie-Mae leans over the table, holding out her hand. It’s a pretty nice ring, yellow gold with a large diamond in the center. Bigger than a carat, but I wouldn’t expect Gage to know. The only reason I have any idea is basing it off the ring I bought for Della.

I glance up, meeting Gage’s eyes. “You did good.”

Julie-Mae giggles, wrapping her arm through his. They’re both glowing, more nervous than I’ve ever seen them.

This is it. This is what I wanted.

Maybe Landis will go east and have his own adventure, find himself the way I did. He’s turned out a lot like me, and that’s something I can be proud of. Or maybe he’ll stay put and figure things out another way.

That’s for him to decide. But for right now, I’ve got everybody right here, in this kitchen. Things will change, my kids will build their own lives and move on, but at the end of it, I’ll have exactly what I started with and then some.

I sit down, soaking it all in, and my eyes go to the brightest light in the room. Della’s in the prettiest dress with purple flowers, not unlike the one she married me in. Her hair falls down her back, a few strands of gray glittering in it. She’s moving, swaying with her grandbaby in her arms.

I feel love like an ache in my chest.

She looks up and sees me watching her, and I’m back in the stockyards all those years ago, seeing her for the first time. The whole world is quiet, and she’s at the center of it, shining brighter than the sun.

She reaches out with her free hand. I take it, bringing it to my lips.

“Hell or high water, baby,” I murmur.

THE END