Page 70 of Quiet & Kilted

He wasn’t at a complete stop when Zoe stumbled from the vehicle and threw up in the grass along the drive. Mandy rubbed her back as Noel grabbed water and napkins from the glove compartment.

“I’m glad we’re going to the doctor, Zoe. This is weird,” Mandy told her with concern. “Probably a stomach bug.”

Zoe nodded. “Yuck. Just…yuck. Sorry about that.” She was still queasy but didn’t get sick again on the short drive to her doctor’s office. Mandy held her hand.

How she loved the Langs.

Epilogue

Nate walked into his house in the late afternoon and wondered where everyone was. The place wasneverquiet these days.

The nerves that never truly faded since Zoe’s accident came back full force. The police still hadn’t caught Jessica and he figured she was probably hiding out with some of her family or sketchy friends.

He hoped she’d left town, but something told him that was wishful thinking. Until she was behind bars, he wouldn’t feel safe leaving Zoe or Mandy alone.

He finished the meeting with the city council members and headed to an equipment auction in Boulder. He hated to be so far from his family but there were two pieces of gear he needed up for bid. It would take almost a year to complete the renovations on City Hall. He preferred to own the equipment rather than lease it.

After confirming no one was home, he went to the kitchen and his phone went off. There was a text from Zoe.

Nate! Come to the library! I love you!

She must have been cleared to go back to work. The thought made him grin. She’d been going crazy sitting in the house. There was literallynothingleft for her to clean or organize.

He found it adorable but knew sheneededto work.

The drive took a few minutes and he wondered why there were so many cars in the library parking lot. He jogged to the double doors, slid his sunglasses on top of his head, and entered the main lobby.

“Surprise!”

It seemed like half the people in town were in the library and all of them had huge smiles on their faces. Zoe came forward and hugged him tight around the waist.

“Did you get cleared for work?” She nodded happily. “Excellent, I know how worried you were about it.”

“This little get-together isn’t forme, Nate.”

Frowning, he asked in confusion, “What do you mean?”

She reached up to cup his cheeks. “While I was in the hospital, I missed your birthday, Mandy’s birthday,andthe anniversary of your company. Everything came up on my calendar when I set up the new laptop. Naturally, I panicked. Your mom talked me down.”

“Zoe…”

Laughing, all he could do was hug her. He could just imagine her reaction as one reminder after another appeared on the screen, steadily freaking her out more and more.

“Hey, Nate?” He pulled back to look at the woman who meant so many things for his future, for Mandy’s future. He stroked his hand over her hair. She mouthed, “I’m pregnant.”

He blinked hard once, then again. The words went into his brain and completely scrambled it.

“What?” She winked. “We’re going to have a baby?” She gave him a nod as she tugged her lower lip between her teeth. He was silent for three seconds and then shouted to the roomful of people, “I’m going to be a father again!”

Everyone cheered as he swept up the woman he loved and carried her upstairs to her office. He closed the door and sat her on her desk. From the little leather pouch he wore with his kilt, he pulled the battered box he’d been carrying around for months.

“I didn’t want you to think I was only asking because you were hurt, Zoe. I know how your mind works.” She started to speak and he put his finger over her lips. “I love you. I’ve loved you from the start. I can’t live without you. Marry me so I don’t have to.”

He handed her the box and she couldn’t open it. They laughed and tears slipped over her cheeks as he used a pen to pry open the damaged hinge. The specially designed diamond ring was nestled safely in velvet and he took it out.

There was a small note in calligraphy that said, “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” Inside the ring was the date they met, not far from where they currently stood.

Blinking against tears, she met his eyes. “Nate.”