Page 112 of Rise After Fall

We hop onto the lift, and as we ride up into the night sky, lights start to blink on along the mountainside.

“Wow, look at that,” she says as she watches the runs begin to glow with soft pink and white lights.

“I can’t look away from you,” I say as I watch her.

She turns her gaze to me.

“What are you up to?” she asks.

I take her face into my hands and bring her lips to mine. I kiss her softly, and then I nod toward the top of the mountain.

There, in beautiful, twinkling lights, are the words:Will you marry me?

She gasps, and her hand flies to her mouth.

I have the box in my hand, and I open the top.

She looks from me to the ring nestled inside and back to me. Her eyes filling with tears.

“Don’t leave me hanging on the side of a mountain,” I say.

Her voice cracks as she answers, “Yes, yes, yes, yes!”

I slide the ring onto her finger just as we make it to the top.

We hop off the lift, and she shouts back to me as she pulls her goggles into place, “Don’t think I’m gonna let you win just because you put this ring on my finger!”

Then, she takes off, and I chase her.

I lead her to the hotel and into the lodge, where her parents and brother and sister-in-law are waiting with my family and our friends. They watched from the windows.

Her mom sprints to us and wraps us both in a tight embrace.

Then, we are rushed by everyone. All laughing, teasing, and weeping.

My mom wiggles her way to us with one of her grandbabies propped on her hip and another tugging at the hem of her skirt.

She kisses my cheek as Ansley takes the baby from her arms.

Taeli, Maxi, Isley, and Anna join us.

“So, how does it feel, Sara-Beth? Having all your boys settled down,” Taeli asks.

“Amazing. My work is finally done, and they are all your problems now. Good luck, girls.”

All their eyes go wide.

Mom laughs.

My girl laughs with them as she shows off her ring. I watch the rise and fall of her chest as she excitedly tells them about the moment she saw the words in lights.

I thank God there is always a rise after a fall.

That’s what life is. Breathing.

Preview ofSmitten in Lake Mistletoe

Hannah