Page 93 of Double Booked

“That would be great!” The young woman stood and handed him her phone.

He glanced out at the scenery, and Eden knew he was assessing the lighting and determining the best angle for the shots. He’s not some random tourist doing a good deed, she thought, her heart filled with pride.

After he took a few photos, he handed the woman her phone. She glanced at the photos, and her eyes widened. “Wow! These are really good.”

“He’s a professional photographer,” Eden said. Cole was too humble to have said it, but she had no qualms about telling people.

The woman’s boyfriend said, “I can tell. Thanks a lot.”

“No problem,” Cole said.

They lingered, looking out at the lake. The couple, perhaps wanting to be alone, stood and moved off.

“Why don’t we have a seat?” Cole suggested.

“Okay.” She wasn’t tired, but the view was spectacular and she didn’t mind sitting for a while. She sat while he removed his backpack and set it down by the bench. On longer hikes, she carried a backpack too, but he’d told her she didn’t need one today. He’d packed snacks and water for both of them.

He unzipped his pack, took out a water bottle, and handed it to her. He’d become an expert at anticipating her needs before she even had to ask. “Thanks.” She took a long drink while he rummaged around in the pack. She assumed he was getting out some snacks, but he came and stood before her empty-handed.

She gave him a questioning look. “Aren’t you going to sit down?”

Suddenly, he dropped to one knee. “I’d rather kneel instead.”

Startled, she stared at him, a giddy feeling washing over her. “What are you doing?”

“I’m doing what I’ve thought about doing for a long time.” He reached into the side pocket of his cargo pants and pulled out a small white box.

Her hands flew to her mouth just like in so many videos she’d watched of marriage proposals. She was always a sucker for the romantic moments people shared on social media.

Grinning broadly, he slowly opened the box to reveal a sparkling diamond ring inside. “I wanted to do this here, in this magical place where I met the most wonderful woman in the world. I love you so much, Eden, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you. Will you marry me?”

She’d often wondered if the women’s reactions in the videos were overdramatized. Now she knew they weren’t. Watery eyes, trembling hands, gaping mouth. It wasn’t her most attractive look, but it was an honest reaction.

“Yes, yes, yes!” she said, the word gaining volume each time. Luckily, there was nobody within hearing distance. It was still early in the day, and the trail wasn’t that busy yet. She suspected he’d planned it that way.

He removed the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. She was surprised at how perfectly it fit, since she’d never told him her ring size.

“Hope might have helped me with the size,” he said.

“And she kept it a secret? How’d you manage that?” She held up her hand, turning it this way and that, admiring the simple elegance of the ring.

“I might have bribed her with a gift card to her favorite coffee shop.”

She laughed. Then she leaned forward, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. “The ring is beautiful. I love it.”

“If you’re not sure, the store said we can exchange it.”

“It’s perfect. I can’t wait to show everyone.”

He smiled. “You’ll get to soon enough.”

“Does your family know?”

“Since Hope knew, I decided to tell Ty. Then he told our mom, and she called my dad.”

“I’m so glad they’re talking again.”

“Me too.”