Page 38

CASE

TWO MONTHS LATER

Sometimes I can’t sleep. No matter how hard I try or how much I need to, I just can’t get my brain to switch off.

According to Mom and Cap, it’s been a problem since I was a kid. They’d hear a noise in the night and get up to investigate, only to find me in bed reading a book or just staring at the ceiling and counting all the little holes I could find in the panels.

They soon realized that it was just something I did–or couldn’t do. After that, I never ran out of books to read or puzzles to do. Word searches were my favorite, followed by crosswords, then comic books.

Even now, at thirty-three and lying next to the love of my life in my bed, I can’t sleep. But instead of reading books or doing puzzles, I’m perfectly content to just watch her and marvel at how different my life is compared to when we first met.

The reason I can’t sleep this time is not because of anything bad. It’s because I can’t imagine my life being any better than it is right now.

Except for one thing…

A glance at the alarm clock beside the bed says it's just before dawn. Soon the sun will rise and the ranch will slowly come to life for another day, and Isla will open her beautiful brown eyes and smile at me. That’s all it takes these days for any worries I have to fade away. A look. A smile. A touch. A kiss.

My therapist has told me that Isla hasn’t magically cured my depression disorder—even though I truly believe she has—it’s more that our connection and the way she makes me feel is acting like a buffer against the usual challenges of my mental illness.

They also praised me for recognizing the positive impact that being loved–and in love–has had on both my life and my mindset. Then they made sure I knew to keep relying on my own developed strategies for managing my moods.

Isla has also spoken to my therapist, asking for help so she can look out for the signs when a low time is coming and be there for me when it does inevitably happen.

That was yesterday afternoon. That was also when I knew that I couldn’t wait another day to have my ring on her finger. I’m hers and I know she’s mine, so it’s time the world knew that too.

Carefully lifting my arms away from her, I roll over and slowly open the nightstand drawer, pulling out the black velvet box that’s been stowed away in there ever since Sutton and I came back from our Anchorage trip. Even more precious though is the piece of paper wrapped around the box.

When I turn back, I meet Isla’s sleepy gaze, a soft smile curving her lips.

"Mornin', beautiful," I whisper, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead. She stretches languidly as the soft light of dawn filters through the window, casting a warm dim glow over her face.

"You're awake early," she murmurs, snuggling closer to me. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her in, feeling the steady rhythm of her heart against mine. “Can’t sleep again?”

I shake my head. “Too much on my mind."

She props herself up on one elbow while her eyes search mine. "Everythin’ OK?"

"More than OK. Was just thinkin' about us. About how much you mean to me…"

Her expression softens as she reaches out to trace the line of my jaw with her fingertips. "Case..."

I take a deep breath, my voice steady despite the nerves thrumming through me.

"I never knew what would happen when I moved to the mountain. I knew I’d have my brothers and that whatever came our way, we’d have each other.

But the night before the will was read, my life changed forever,” I say, staring deep into her eyes… her soul.

“See, there was this brown-eyed, beautiful stranger who turned my existence upside down that night.” Her lips tip up and her gaze shines with tears.

“Then I woke up ready to ask if we could explore our connection and instead of my beautiful stranger, I found a note. One that I’ve cherished ever since.

” I hold out my hand to show the paper-covered ring box.

“That piece of paper has been carefully tucked away in my wallet ever since.”

Her lips part but I press on, my voice shaking as I do. “When I saw you again, I knew the universe was givin’ me a second chance with the woman who changed my life in one night and who I just knew I couldn’t—wouldn’t—let slip through my fingers again.”

“Case…” she whispers, a smile playing on her lips.

“You make me want to be a better man, Isla. And I can't imagine a future without you by my side." Happy tears fall onto her cheeks as she listens to my words, her hand coming to rest on my chest.

"Beautiful," I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. "I love you more than words can express. You are my everythin’, my soulmate, my anchor. And I plan on spendin’ the rest of my life showin’ you just how much you mean to me."

With trembling hands, I unwrap the note and carefully place it down safely before opening the box to reveal the ring nestled inside. The diamonds catch the morning light and cast a sparkle that reflects off the walls.

"Will you marry me, Isla Murray?"

She takes in the ring, her tears flowing freely now, and I’m not ashamed to admit that she’s not the only one crying.

She looks from the ring to me, her expression full of absolute, unwavering love. "Case," she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. "It's beautiful."

I take the ring out of the box and hold it up.

"It reminded me of you. Bright, sparkling, and full of life.

" I reach for her hand, holding it gently in mine. "I want to wake up every mornin’ to your smile and laughter. I want to build a life with you, right here on this mountain. Be mine forever, beautiful. Marry me.”

She takes a deep breath, her eyes never leaving mine. "Yes! Yes!” she yells before her gaze jumps wide and she covers her mouth. “You had me when you told me you weren’t the only smart one in the room.”

A laugh bubbles out of me as I slowly glide the ring down her finger to rest at the base before leaning down and pressing my lips on top of it.

Isla's eyes blaze brighter than the diamonds on her finger. In the blink of an eye, she throws her arms around my neck and tackles me to the bed, peppering everywhere she can touch with kisses.

"I love you, Case," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you so much."

I hold her close, feeling her heart beating against mine.

When she finally pulls back, she’s glowing. “We're getting’ married," she says, a wide grin spreading across her face.

"We are," I reply. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

She looks down at the ring before she meets my eyes again, her cheeks flushing pink. “Do you think I woke up the whole house?”

“I.” kiss. “don’t.” kiss. “care,” I say before rolling her over and covering her body with mine.

Then there’s no more talking, but there is a hell of a lot of celebrating.

“Oh my God !” Birdie screeches the minute she sees the ring on Isla’s finger over breakfast.

My fiancée’s smile is so big, her cheeks still flushed and her lips pink from our morning celebrations. Reaching out, I grab her other hand so that she can’t get stolen away from me. Hey, I’m feeling a little possessive. I blame the Call.

“I know it’s been quick but it’s also… not ,” Sutton says, moving on from Isla to hug me from behind.

I turn to look up at him over my shoulder. “When you know, you know.”

His eyes roam over my face before he locks them on mine. “Yeah, I can see that you do. Have done for a while, too.”

“You could be next, brother.”

He snorts and shakes his head. “I just hope I don’t end up clueless like Will was or havin’ to wait a long time like you did.”

Feeling the warmth of Isla’s palm in mine and still riding the afterglow of our early morning together, I realize I wouldn’t have had it any other way. “I’d have waited forever to call her mine.”

Sutton’s brows lift before a slow-growing grin appears on his face. “Now that , little brother, is what I like to hear.”

I shake my head. “Minutes, Sutt. Minutes!”

“I’m still older, Case. Remember that.”

Once everyone has returned to their seats, I catch Will and Birdie looking at each other having a silent conversation like the ones Sutton and I have. The same ones that everyone tells us off about.

“Hey! If Sutt and I aren’t allowed to have our secret talks, you two can’t either,” I tell Will, drawing everyone’s attention.

Birdie smirks before turning her head to whisper something in Will’s ear. She pulls back and stares at him. He arches a brow and she nods enthusiastically. He grins and shakes his head at her before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his side.

“You two goin’ to let us in on the secret?” Jude calls out from his end of the table.

“Will and I have a proposal of our own for you,” Birdie begins, looking between the two of us.

“What is it?” my fiancée says. I don’t think I’m ever going to get tired of saying that. Not until the day I start calling her my wife, anyway.

“I’ll preface this by saying that you can say no, and I’ll still love you and will stand by your side whenever you two decide you want to do it,” Birdie says, rambling puzzlingly.

Isla giggles. “B, you’re doin’ that thing again where you know what you’re sayin’ but nobody else does.” That gets all of us laughing.

Will gazes over at her. “Just hit them with it, honey.”

“OK,” Birdie says, taking a deep breath. “I–”

“ We …” Will corrects her.

“OK, we were wonderin’ if you’d like… I mean… “

“What my beautiful, generous, big-hearted bride-to-be is askin’ is whether y’all want to get married with us.”

I still, my whole body turning to concrete as Isla’s does the same. I stare wide-eyed at my brother before slowly looking at the woman at my side.

Everyone else in the room fades away, all that matters is my One and those big hopeful eyes of hers. That’s when I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding because I can tell Isla wants this as much as I do.