The Toughest Play

Epilogue

AUTUMN

ONE YEAR LATER

W hen I pull into Rogan’s driveway, he’s sitting on the front stoop of his house. His lips part in a wide smile as he stands and walks in my direction. He opens my car door for me and helps me from the seat.

“Well, what a fine gentleman you are,” I say, smiling.

He bows over my hand and then presses a kiss to the back of it. “I’m here to fulfill your every wish.”

“Ooh, I love that, but I think you already have.”

“Surely, there’s something I can do for you. Something you want that you don’t have yet.”

An engagement ring? The thought pops unbidden into my mind. Do I want to be engaged?

I haven’t really given it much thought. Rogan and I have such a wonderful relationship as it is. I’m almost afraid to want more than what we already have. He’s been asking me to move in with him for the last six months, and I keep putting it off. The last time I refused but told him he was wearing me down. And I almost immediately regretted my choice. He and I spend so much time together, we might as well be cohabitating. The main thing holding me back is moving away from the house Scarlett and I purchased together. That cottage is symbolic of how much I’ve grown over the past three years. But I can’t stay there forever. Rogan is more important to me than any house could ever be.

“There’s nothing you want?” he presses.

“I can’t think of anything right now.”

“Well, I have a surprise for you.” He holds out his hand. “Come with me, please.” I slide my palm over his and his fingers slot between mine. He directs me to the gate beside the garage that leads to the backyard. We walk through the opening and I let out a gasp at what I see. Big blooming hydrangea bushes line one side of the yard along the fence line.

“Rogan! Oh my God, they’re beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you are, Fall.”

“I can’t believe you remembered they’re my favorite.”

“How could I forget? We made a bet when we went to play miniature golf and I won. But if you won, I had to plant hydrangeas.”

“I’m impressed,” I say.

“That I remembered?”

“Yes.”

“Autumn, as if I could forget anything about our relationship. Every moment we’ve spent together has been ingrained in my memories.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“Should we go check out your bushes?” he asks.

“Yes, please. I can’t believe all the giant blooms I’m seeing. It’s surreal. And you got the blue ones that I love so much.” Hand in hand, we stroll over to the side of the yard.

“Actually, I found out that the soil’s chemistry determines the shade of the flowers. The more aluminum it has will turn them blue.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Learning about plants wasn’t on my list of things to do, but if it makes you happy, I’m all for it. And I figured maybe they’d entice you into wanting to live here.”

“They might,” I say.

We start at the first bush and slowly make our way past each one. I stop to caress the soft petals on a few of them. When we reach the final one, I notice something hanging from one of the stems. It appears to be a ribbon tied into a bow.

“What could that be?” Rogan asks, sounding less than innocent. I take a closer look and realize there’s something tied to the ribbon.

I turn to Rogan with wide eyes. “Oh my God! Is that what I think it is?”

Smiling, he unties the bow and holds up a gorgeous ring. The large center stone is a diamond and there are small emeralds flanking both sides. “I’ve been holding on to this for six months now and I can’t sit on this any longer. I’ve tried to be patient and not rush you, but the truth is, I’ve known from our first kiss that this is where we’d end up. And now I’m hoping you’re as eager to become Mrs. Rogan O’Rourke as I am to have you as my wife. Autumn, will you marry me and make me the luckiest man in the world?”

“Yes. God yes!” I jump into his arms and smile so wide my cheeks hurt. I press my lips to his. Tears trail down my face, and I taste the salt in our kiss. He sets me back on my feet and slides the ring onto my finger.

“Will you look at that. It’s a perfect fit.”

I stare down at the symbol of our love, and nod. “Just like we are.”