“I didn’t know that, but it makes sense,” Logan said.
“That bears are gardeners?” Sophie asked. “They don’t have thumbs. How can they have green ones?”
“Oh, Mom.” Biyen shook his head pityingly and went to shower.
“That kid should have his own stand-up special.”
“I know. He—” She held up a finger as the shower came on, then hissed, “So what do you think of her?”
“Who? Cloe? I think she’s broke.” He moved Biyen’s water bottle and lunch container closer to the sink, then hung his backpack on its hook. “It seems convenient that she can’t talk about why she was in police custody. I’d like to know more.”
“It’s legal stuff.”
“It’s shifty. And she doesn’t have a phone? Or a home to go back to?”
“She’s trying for a fresh start. I think she’s been through a lot. Don’t forget she lost her sister.”
“It sounds like she’s on the run.” Logan was concerned about that. “And Trystan wants to spend the day with her? Since when does he invite anyone but Em to go along on his hikes?”
“He’s got strong feelings about family,” Sophie defended.
“Mmm.” Or, more specifically, strong feelings against denying family the chance to know each other. Logan respected that, but he was counting the days until Cloe left.
Biyen came out a minute later, scrubbed shiny, hair every which way, wearing his jammie shorts with a short-sleeved shirt with the Spiderman logo on it.
“Teeth brushed?” Sophie asked.
“Uh-huh. Hah.” He offered a breath for her to check.
“Minty fresh. Wonderful. Sleep tight. I love you.” She hugged him.
“I love you, too.”
He looked at Logan.
Until now, it had always been a cheerful, “Good night.” Now Logan felt the significance of his decision sinking into him.
“What’s your preference? Hug? Fist bump?” Logan crouched down on one knee.
Biyen held out his fist. They bumped and exploded it.
“Good night, bud.”
“G’night.” Biyen started to turn toward the stairs then spun back. “Wait. Are you—” He rushed up to Logan again.
Logan bent and listened while Biyen’s hot breath tickled his ear.
“Yeah, I’m going to do that right now.” His heart started hammering with nervous excitement. “I just have to go up to my room for a sec. Do you want to stay?”
Biyen looked between Logan and Sophie, then nodded shyly.
Logan went through the door. The stairs creaked under his weight as he climbed them, then thudded as he came back.
“What are you two up to?” Sophie asked as he reappeared.
“I wanted to do this right,” Logan said.
He went down on one knee again.
*
“Oh my God.” Sophie genuinely nearly fainted. She stacked her hands over her heart, but it was going to fall out anyway.
“Mom gave this to me before she left last time.” Logan’s hands were shaking along with his voice. “She said you were the only person she could imagine wearing it so if I ever wanted to give it to you, I could.”
He showed her the ring. It was a simple gold band with a single, pretty round diamond set in four gold claws. She recognized it as one Glenda had worn for a solid twenty years. Wilf had given it to her.
“Will you marry me, Sophie?”
Every part of her was tingling as though swirling in a whirlwind of sparkling thrill. Skin, scalp, blood, bones, they were all filling with pure joy. Her throat was tight, her heart battering, her eyes growing hot and wet.
She looked to Biyen. He was watching closely, grinning ear to ear. He nodded enthusiastically and the tears in her eyes grew so thick, she couldn’t see him.
Her chest expanded with happiness. Her breath was forgotten, her voice nonexistent, but somehow she conjured the words she had practiced every night for her entire childhood.
“Yes, Logan. I will marry you.”
Epilogue
