Wishing for the Girl Next Door (Piney Brook Wishes Book 3)

21. Epilogue

One Year Later

Daniel:They just left the house.

Brant:Great. I’ll be waiting outside when you get here.

Daniel:On my way.

I read the texts and swallow hard. Double-checking I have everything, I grab my keys and head out. We all agreed to drive separately, except Brant, who’s riding with Daniel on the way there because Morgan has his truck with Reese and Karlee in it. He insisted it was easier to let her drive his truck than to uninstall the car seats. Liam is small, so he still rides in a booster.

Evan: See y’all at the fair.

I hop in the truck and dial Heath’s number first.

“Hey, I’m ready,” he says in greeting.

I laugh. “I didn’t even ask you yet.”

“I know, but you’ve been stressing about the details for days. I’m on my way to pick up the flowers now. It’s all a go.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate your help.”

Heath laughs. “Like I’d let you do this alone.”

I pull into the parking lot fifteen minutes early. I try to take some deep breaths and calm down. Karlee loves me. I love her. Everything will be fine.

I blow out a breath and laugh at myself. Karlee’s the love of my life. I can do this. I take a big breath and let it out slowly. Showtime.

I step out of the truck and make my way to the entrance of the Fall Festival. I’m in line waiting to get inside when Brant and Daniel join me.

“This is a great idea,” Daniel says, seeing how nervous I am. “I’m sure it’s all going to go according to plan.”

I laugh. “Nothing in life goes according to plan.”

Brant nods his head. “Ain’t that the truth.”

We make our way inside to the gazebo where a line of kids is waiting to get their faces painted.

“Why did we pick here again?” I ask.

“It’s the easiest thing to spot when you get inside,” Daniel says, laughing as a kid walks by with paint in his nearly white, blond hair. “Oh man, that’s going to stain.”

I shoot him a look, and he laughs even harder.

“Oh man, you’re a mess.”

“Leave him alone,” Brant says, patting my back. “Our baby boy is growing up.”

“Gee thanks, you’re the best friends a guy could hope for.”

I spot Heath coming in the gate and looking around. He spots us and heads over.

“These good?” he asks, holding up the flowers.

I swallow. It’s really happening. “They’re great.”

“All right, I’m going to head to the back so I’m not spotted.” He grins. “You need to calm down, or you’re going to give it away the minute she sees you.”

I roll my eyes as Brant and Daniel cackle beside me. “Thanks for the advice.”

Heath shrugs and walks away.

I’m nervous. My palms are sweating, and I’m pretty sure Brant and Daniel can hear my heartbeat from where they stand beside me. I look at my phone again.

“Don’t worry,” Brant says, clapping me on the shoulder. “They’ll get her here.”

I sigh. “I know. I just don’t want anything to go wrong.”

Daniel grins. “Who knew you’d be the biggest mess of us all?”

I suddenly regret teasing him about asking Reese out when I realized he liked her at Brant’s wedding. Seems he’s got the memory of an elephant.

“There they are.” Brant waves his arm in the air, catching Morgan’s eye. She grins and starts guiding the women in our direction.

“Evan,” Karlee says, surprise evident on her face. “I didn’t expect you guys to be here.” She looks around. “Where are the kids?”

Brant shrugs. “Susan and Sam had some free time on their hands. They offered to take them for a while. Even the baby.”

I was surprised when Brant told me Morgan had agreed to leave Levi for a few hours. After the rough birth experience they’d had, I wasn’t sure she’d ever leave his side. He’d been born with the cord wrapped around his neck. For a minute there, they thought he wasn’t going to make it.

“Oh,” Karlee says, looking at Morgan and Reese. “Did you guys know they were leaving the kids and joining us?”

Reese and Morgan share a look and then nod.

“You DID!” Karlee accuses. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I step forward and take her hand. “It was a surprise, sunshine.”

She looks at me, her brows drawn in confusion. “A surprise? Why?”

I shrug, hoping my nerves don’t give me away. “For fun,” I say. “Life doesn’t have enough surprises, I think.” I wink at her.

“First stop, funnel cake,” Karlee says, taking my hand and pulling me in the direction of the first little stand we see. We order several cakes to share, and wander through the midway looking at the ride options.

“I’d like to check out the craft display,” Reese says to the women. “Do you guys mind tagging along?”

Brant, Daniel and I follow behind them, waiting for just the right time to head to the Ferris wheel. By the time the ladies have looked at homemade baskets, quilts, and other craft items, it’s time.

“Shall we?” Daniel asks, linking Reese’s arm through his elbow. “The sun’s about to set, so we should start heading out.”

“Wait,” Karlee says, looking at all of us. “Can’t we at least ride one ride before we go?”

Everyone makes a show of agreeing to one ride, and I let out a relieved sigh.

“Let’s go check out the Ferris wheel,” I suggest. “I’ve never been on it when the sun is going down. I bet it’s a great view with all the colorful trees and the sunset.”

Daniel and Brant agree, of course, and we all head toward the area where the Ferris Wheel stands. I resist the urge to check my phone to make sure everyone else is in place.

As we get closer, Karlee spots Heath standing off to the side. “Hey, Heath’s here too,” she says waving at him.

He pretends not to notice her until we get closer.

“Heath!” Karlee calls.

He looks in our direction and waves, one hand hidden behind his back. “Oh, hey,” he says, smiling at her. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

I grin and give him a thumbs up behind her back.

“It was going to be a girls day, but the guys found a sitter and decided to join us.” She points over her shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh,” he says. A panicked look crosses his face so fast I wonder if she noticed. “I was hoping to bump into this girl I know,” he says lamely.

“Oh, have you found her?” Karlee asks, looking around.

“No, not yet. I’m sure I’ll run into her, though.”

She nods. “Well, you’re welcome to join us.”

“Nah, I’m going to keep moving and see if I can find her. I need to leave soon and make sure Mom gets her evening medicine.”

Thankfully, Heath’s mom is still holding on. She’s been cancer-free for the last few scans, and they are hopeful it stays that way. Now she’s on some kind of maintenance medicine.

I glance behind me to the lemonade stand where our families are supposed to be waiting to greet us as we come off the ride. I don’t see anyone, but that’s probably a good thing.

“Better get in line,” I tell her. We get behind the one other couple waiting for their turn.

Karlee wraps her arm around my waist. “You know, I was looking forward to a girls’ night,” she says, glancing up at me.

“Oh,” I say, suddenly questioning if this was the best plan.

“But this is even better.” She lays her head on my shoulder and I let out a ragged breath.

The ride operator opens the chain and helps the couple in front of us into their car. Heath steps beside me and passes me the bouquet of gerbera daisies he’s been hiding behind his back. “Good luck,” he whispers.

The operator motions to us, and Karlee leads the way onto the platform and into our car, sliding over to the far side. When the door closes, I clear my throat and hold out the flowers.

“Oh my,” Karlee says, looking at the arrangement in my hand. “Where did you get those?” she asks, glancing back at Heath, who’s wearing a big grin on his face.

“Oh,” she says, bringing the bouquet to her nose. “You really planned this out, didn’t you?”

I nod, unable to form words just yet. I wait until the wheel is loaded and starts to turn before reaching into my pocket and pulling out the engagement ring that was my grandmother’s. As we reach the top, the wheel stops again. Karlee glances in my direction and gasps.

“Karlee Marie Richards,” I say, holding out the ring. “Every day for the last year, I’ve wanted to ask you to marry me.”

She clutches the flowers close to her chest and gasps.

“I knew it was too soon, so I waited. I’ve enjoyed our adventures, our early dinners before you go to work, our movie marathons on your weekends off. I can’t imagine spending another day without asking you this question.”

She nods, tears falling from her watery eyes.

“Would you do me the honor of being my wife, my partner, my best friend and co-adventurer to the end of our days?”

I wait, holding my breath for what seems like an eternity before Karlee holds out her left hand and says the one word I’ve been waiting a year to hear.

“Yes!”

I slide the ring onto her finger and kiss her hand. “She said yes!” I yell over the side. Cheers go up from all the cars on the wheel, and Karlee leans in and presses a kiss to my lips.

“It’s gorgeous, Evan.” She looks at the ring, and back to the view of the sun setting over the vibrant orange and yellow tree tops. “This is amazing. You’re amazing.”

“I’m glad you are happy,” I say, placing my arm around her shoulders.

We spend the rest of the ride holding each other close and looking out over the treetops as we make our way up and around. She keeps sneaking peeks at the ring on her finger and smiling. I grin each time she does it. I’m so in love with this woman.

The ride slows, and people start to unload. I look for her family and see they are waiting with Heath at the exit. Mom and Dad are there too. The only people missing are Tracey and Lawrence, and they’re always late.

We step off the ride, and her sister rushes to her, pulling her into a huge hug. “Oh my gosh, Karlee,” she says, holding up Karlee’s hand to inspect the ring. “It’s beautiful.”

Her mom hugs her next, and Karlee mouths “perfect” to me over her shoulder.

I wink and stand back, letting them have this moment.

“Way to show me up,” Scott says, stepping closer to my side. “I proposed at a restaurant.”

I laugh and glance in his direction, and see he’s smiling.

“I’m sure it was perfect for you two,” Reese says diplomatically.

“Congratulations, man,” Scott says. Keeley waves him over, and he steps away to join her.

“Where did you find such a beautiful ring?” Mrs. Richards asks.

“It was my mom’s,” Dad says, stepping into the fray holding Mom’s hand.

Karlee squeals when my mom pulls her into a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

I laugh when Tracey and Lawrence come running up. “We’re late, aren’t we?” Tracey asks, looking around.

I shrug and give her a hug. “It’s fine, Trace.”

She makes her way through the group surrounding Karlee and gives her a hug.

“Are you ready for this?” Brant asks, standing back from the fray a bit.

I nod. “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

Finally, Karlee makes her way back to me and wraps her arms around my neck. “You’re surprising,” she says. “In the best way.”

“I’m so glad you think so.”

We spend the next hour talking to our family and friends, and sharing laughs under the tent set up by the stage. There’s a live band playing, keeping the atmosphere light. When they switch to a slow song, I glance at Karlee and grin.

Standing, I reach for her. “Dance with me?” I ask. “Please.”

She smiles and takes my hand, letting me lead her to the dance floor. As we sway to the soft melody of the love song, I can’t help but remember her in my arms at her sister’s wedding.

“You know,” I say, spinning her around. “If you hadn’t needed a date for Keeley’s wedding, I may never have found the nerve to ask you out.”

She looks up at me from below her lashes. “I think we would have gotten there, eventually.”

She lays her head on my shoulder as we move together until the last notes of the song drift away. I lean in and kiss her softly. “Ready for the next part?” I ask, whispering in her ear.

She looks at me and smiles. “With you? Always.”