Page 40

Chapter forty

Hazel James

Three months later - August

A warm breeze carrying notes of pine and magnolia caresses my skin. I close my eyes and breathe in the scent of home with a smile on my face. It’s been a little over two months of living in Emmett’s parents’ house. While I love the adorable little brick house, I feel most at home when I’m at Emmett’s place. I spend the majority of my time there anyway, between spending time with Emmett and nannying June.

Today Emmett told me to take some time for myself. He dropped Raven off at a friend’s house and had a daddy-daughter day with June. I got pictures of them throughout the day. They got crepes, then went to the zoo, had lunch, and watched a movie together at home. I spent the whole day wishing I was with them. However, I did enjoy my day alone. I washed my hair and let it air dry in the sun as I read a book I got when I took June to the library last week. I played my Nintendo Switch for way longer than I usually allow myself. Ordered a pizza that I ate for lunch and had enough leftovers for dinner. Now I’m watching the sun set below the treeline while crocheting on the porch swing.

All in all, it’s been a fantastic day. Nothing beats time with Emmett and June, but I’m still grateful for the break. Becoming the full-time caretaker for Raven has had its ups and downs. She’s a teenager longing for independence, but she also missed out on being a kid. We both did. So I’ve been walking a tightrope between parent and sister. There’s been some door slamming, arguments, and tears (mostly from me), but we’re figuring it out together. Having today as a break from being the responsible guardian has helped me relax significantly. I’ll have to thank Emmett once he starts answering my texts. I’m sure he’s just busy getting June ready for bed.

I lower one of my bare feet to the porch and use it to push the swing back so it will gain momentum again. Then I pause my crocheting to lean back and simply enjoy the sunset. Views like this keep me from missing the city. I’d take a pasture view over skyscrapers any day.

My phone buzzes in the front pocket of my overalls. I slide it out and grin when I see Emmett’s name.

Emmett: Meet me at our spot when the stars come out.

A colony of butterflies takes flight in my abdomen. Months later, I still get giddy at the thought of meeting him beneath the stars.

Hazel: So bossy. What if I don’t want to?

Emmett: Don’t make me come throw you over my shoulder, Wildflower.

Hazel: Now I’m tempted to stay right here until you do.

Emmett: Please, Wildflower.

I bite my lip.

Hazel: Okay, since you said please. I’ll see you soon.

A giggle escapes me. I press my hands to my warm face, then kick my feet. How is this my life? What did I do to deserve this?

Incapable of focusing on the blanket I’m working on, I pack it up in the basket I use for my current projects and head inside. The cool air is a shock to my sun-warmed skin, making goosebumps form on my arms. I pour myself some water in a big mason jar, then pad into my room. It’s the place that feels most like me, since I brought all my decorations from the apartment. I didn’t want to change much, even if Emmett said I could do whatever I wanted to the house. Something in me just couldn’t commit to making this place a home in the fullest sense of the word. My heart belongs to Emmett and June. If I’m building a home, I want them–and Raven–to be at the center of it.

I press the mason jar to my face to cool down, then take a few gulps before heading into the attached bathroom. Emmett has seen me with bedhead, on bad skin days, and even when I was sick with the flu. I know he thinks I’m beautiful no matter what I do or wear, but I can’t help wanting to spruce myself up a little bit before seeing him.

I leave my hair down, enjoying the windswept look I have going on. I swipe on some mascara, brow gel, and a lip balm that tastes like lemon meringue pie. My face is already pink from the sun, so I don’t bother with blush, instead opting to dust highlighter over my cheekbones for a little extra glow. When I’m done, I feel more put together, and the butterflies come back. Waiting until dark is going to be torturous.

Maybe I can come over sooner. I pull out my phone.

Hazel: Do you mind if I come over now? I’m going a little stir crazy after being alone all day.

Emmett: You have to wait until dark, but check your front porch for something that will help with the wait.

My eyebrows shoot up. How did anything get delivered without me hearing someone come by? I walk to the front door and open it to find a brown paper bag next to an iced matcha with pink foam. A smile stretches my lips. I grab the items, noticing that the cup doesn’t have much condensation on it. Whoever brought it must have come just minutes ago. I open the bag once I’m inside and see a large chocolate chip cookie and an envelope.

Setting down the drink and bag, I open the envelope. Inside is a princess-themed card that looks like something June would pick out. I flip open the card and immediately start to tear up at the sight of June’s handwriting.

Hi Miss Hazel!

Daddy and I had the bestest day, but we missed you very much. That’s why we brought you this cookie. I hope it’s yummy! We also got you a green drink which I think looks icky, but Daddy says it’s your favorite. I do like the pink on top.

We love you,

June and Emmett

The bottom of the letter is signed half in June’s handwriting and half in Emmett’s. I clutch the card to my chest.

Hazel: I love you both so much.

Emmett: June says to tell you we love you most. I agree with her.

My face aches from smiling so wide.

Hazel: Impossible.

I sit down on the couch and nibble on my cookie as the sky grows dark. It’s still difficult not to feel antsy. Emmett probably wants us to have time to ourselves, so he’s making sure June won’t interrupt us by having me come before she’s in bed. But I wouldn’t have minded the chance to help with June’s nighttime routine after not seeing her all day.

As soon as the blue of twilight fades and the crickets begin to chirp, I’m rushing out to the side-by-side with keys in hand. I press on the pedal and take off down the trail to Emmett’s house. Headlights illuminate the trees and path ahead. My hair is likely to be even more wild than it was after the wind whips it around like this, but I don’t care.

I slow as I get closer to Emmett’s. Lights flicker up ahead. As I draw near, I make out twinkle lights strung in rows above the backyard, along with a path of glowing lanterns that starts at the edge of the trail. I park the ATV and step down. The cool grass brushes against my ankles as I walk forward with my heart in my throat.

Emmett is standing in a circle of light at the end of the path. He’s wearing jeans and a dark green t-shirt, his hair and beard combed.

“What’s all this?” I ask when I reach him.

He smiles down at me, making my breath catch. I don’t think I’ll ever get over seeing him smile like this. So boyish and carefree, the opposite of the fierce scowl he wears for the world. His hand finds mine and pulls me to his chest. I melt against him in a hug.

“I missed you, Wildflower,” he murmurs into my hair.

“You didn’t need to do all of this to show me that. I would have accepted a simple text,” I joke.

He chuckles. “I don’t think a text would be a romantic way to do what I’m about to do.”

“What?”

He takes a step back, grasping both my hands in his.

“I love you, Hazel Marie James. I love the way your eyes crinkle up at the edges when you smile. I love how you love my daughter like she’s your own. I love how you sacrifice for those you care for. I still can’t believe I’m one of those people. Each day I spend with you, I wonder what I did to deserve you.”

Tears well in my eyes as I recall thinking that same thing earlier.

“I’m in love with everything about you. All I want to do is find new things to love about you every day for the rest of my life.” He gets down on one knee and pulls out a green velvet box. I suck in a breath. “Wildflower, my brave girl, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

He opens the box and the ring sparkles beneath the twinkling lights. My eyelashes flutter as tears pour down my face like a summer rain. I nod.

“Yes,” I breathe out the three-letter word that will change the trajectory of my life.

He slides the ring on my trembling hand. I don’t even look at it before launching myself into his arms. He catches me, laughing in my ear as we tumble to the ground. I kiss him with everything I have. Love pours out of my soul and into his. He holds me tight against him like he never wants to let me go.

When we finally pull apart for air, I meet his dark brown eyes and lose my breath again at the affection I find them glowing with.

“We’re getting married,” I whisper.

He smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’ll be my wife.”

My toes curl at that phrase on his lips. “You’ll be my husband.”

“As soon as you want me to be.”

My heart skips.

“Soon. Tomorrow would be perfect.” I shake my head. “Wait, we need to invite our friends and your parents. Maybe a few days from now would be good.”

His answering chuckle warms my whole body. “We’ll start planning tonight. But there’s one more surprise waiting for you.”

My eyebrows draw together. “Another surprise?”

He helps me get to my feet. “I’ll be right back.”

His lips brush against my forehead before he crosses the yard to the back door. I take the opportunity to look down at my ring. It’s perfect. There’s a large circle diamond in the center, with smaller ones around it in a shape that makes it resemble a flower. I tilt my hand, mesmerized by the way it sparkles.

The door clicks, drawing my attention up again. June runs out into the yard wearing her Rapunzel dress. Emmett follows behind her, his expression soft and open.

“Hey sweet pea, I didn’t know you’d be up,” I say as she wraps herself around me in a hug.

“Daddy said you said yes!” she says, looking up at me with a big grin.

I tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “I did. We’re going to have a wedding just like in your princess movies,” I say with a smile.

“Since you said yes, it’s my turn!”

I tilt my head to the side, sending Emmett a questioning look. My curiosity at her meaning is quickly answered as she opens up a jewelry box containing a necklace that perfectly matches my ring.

“Miss Hazel, will you be my mommy?” June asks as though she’s been practicing the question.

My hand goes to my mouth. Emotion makes my throat tight. I blink away more tears.

“I would love to be your mommy,” I say through tears.

June’s eyes shine with tears of her own. I drop to my knees and pull her in for a hug. Emmett joins us, wrapping us up in his strong arms.

“Can I join too?”

I look up to see my sister standing on the back porch. I open up an arm and beckon her. She joins our group hug. June, Raven, and I all shed plenty of tears together. Emmett stays strong, but I catch him swiping beneath his eyes when we finally pull back.

“This is the happiest I’ve ever been,” I say in the midst of my favorite people.

“Then it’s a good start to my mission of making you as happy as possible for all our days,” Emmett says, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“No kissing when we’re this close in proximity to one another, please,” Raven says with a grimace, making me laugh.

“So I shouldn’t do this?” I tease and kiss Emmett on the cheek, right above his beard.

Raven groans and June giggles. Emmett just looks at me with a mixture of amusement and affection in his gaze. I bask in the glow of love emanating off all of us.

For years, all I wanted was a family to call my own. This isn’t how I pictured that family coming about, but now that it’s happened, I can’t imagine it being any other way.

I meet Emmett’s warm gaze. Home . I’m finally home.