The generosity of those from Fort Shasta and around Siskiyou County was unbelievable. It took just over a month before the town was ready to raise money to build the new community center. I’d spent my time split between Los Angeles and Fort Shasta. It took so much out of me, but it gave me the biggest reward. Plus, there was Liam.

Once out of the hospital, it was hard to keep Liam from overdoing it. He was constantly working on something when he should have been resting. He was hard headed that way and no matter how much me or his mom fussed, he would get right back to it. He threw his everything into making sure the Fall Fundraising Fair was a success.

All of the main street of Fort Shasta was blocked off for the festivities. There was everything from a dunk tank that the Sheriff sat in, to bobbing for apples, a haunted house, and a kissing booth that housed none other than Liam.

“The turnout is fantastic,” Olivia, who stood next to me with a glass of fresh apple cider Mrs. Stevens had provided, noted.

Everyone in town provided what they could and many of them showcased talents none of us ever knew they had, like Mrs. Stevens and her cider, or Dale and his rock band who were doing a fantastic job on stage.

“I’m still in awe,” I mentioned to my best friend as we stood watching all the kids in the bounce castle.

“Bethany, look at me!” Serenati cheered from inside the castle with Olivia’s kids.

I waved to the little girl I’d grown close with over the last month and a half. She was filled with joy as she bounced around. Her life had been turned upside down. Her mother was in jail awaiting trial and her dad was nearly murdered. Liam worked to show her every day nothing could take him down and he was her superman.

“Announcement time!” Minister Garland called from the stage and everyone seemed to pause what they were doing to pay attention. He’d been up on multiple occasions announcing how much money had been raised so far. “We’ve just received an anonymous donation, a pretty big one. A check was just delivered for, drum roll.” He pointed to the drummer in Dale’s band who gave an expert drumroll. “Twelve thousand dollars!” Everyone broke into cheers at the announcement. “That, with the donations we have received from around the county and country in the last month, plus what we have raised so far today, brings our total to one hundred twenty-eight thousand dollars and forty-six cents!”

“I wonder who donated that money?” Olivia inquired in my ear. That’s when I saw a blond woman leaving the festival area. I knew her.

“I have an idea,” I mentioned. “Be right back.”

I jogged away to follow the woman. I weaved through people dancing as the band kicked back up and everyone was back to enjoying themselves. Finally, I reached her as she stopped at an old station wagon.

“It was you,” I said to her and she raised her head and gave me a weak smile. My mom.

“I had to,” she commented with a shrug. “Your dad and I had a rocky marriage, but no matter what, that man cared for me. And when I left he took on the responsibility of raising you on his own. He could have tossed you to the side, but he grew a pair and did what he had to. You and I may never get along or anything, but it’s been weighing on me since you came up to my place. I was wrong for taking the money. Yeah, I did spend a good chunk of it, but in the end, none of it made me feel good. I didn’t feel like a better person. I felt worse. Figured the best thing would be to give it to the cause. Your dad would love that community center you’re building.”

I couldn’t help it. I threw my arms around her in a hug and held her for a moment. Tears came flooding from my eyes as she held me too. It was a first, my mom and I stood embracing one another.

“I really am proud of you. You’re more than I could ever amount to. Your dad did a great job.” She pulled away and looked me over with reverence before she turned back to her car and opened the driver’s side door. She got inside, leaving me standing on the street watching her.

“Take care of yourself...Mom,” I noted. She gave me a smile and a wave before she drove off. I watched her car disappear as she turned a corner.

Taking a deep breath. I inhaled the air of the town that would forever be part of me. There was no leaving Fort Shasta behind truly. This place was in my blood and she was my flesh and blood.

My fingers wiped away my tears before I started back toward the festival. The sun was beginning to set and a glow filled the main street. A warmth surrounded me and it was as if Dad was there. He was proud, I knew he was. Maybe Fort Shasta wasn’t as bad as I made it out to be. Every town had its problems and Fort Shasta was no different.

I arrived at the kissing booth where the line remained long. For ten dollars anyone could get a kiss from Liam who sat proudly on his stool giving innocent kisses to all who paid.

After a few minutes, I arrived at Mr. Howard who was in charge of collecting he funds for Liam’s booth.

“Ready to pucker up?” he asked as I handed him my money.

“I’ve kissed him a few times. He’s okay I guess,” I joked, receiving a side eye from Liam. I smirked in his direction before I arrived face to face with him.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come claim your kiss,” he said proudly.

“Better be a good one. I normally get these for free, but I paid ten dollars for this one,” I pointed out with a wink to the man that had once again stolen my heart the same way he’d done in high school. It was like we’d never been off.

“I think I need to come from behind the booth for this one,” Liam announced as he got off his stool and stood up straight.

He strolled around to greet me in front of his booth. He stood proud and healed. He still had occasional pain from his surgery incisions and gunshot wound, but he was back to being the man and father he always strived to be. His circumstances made him stronger than ever before. He’d fought for his life and was fighting past the pain for his brighter future.

His strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me to his hard body. I gasped, inhaling his scent that filled me all the time. When in L.A. and I missed him, I’d sprayed a pillow with is favorite cologne just to feel like I had a bit of him near.

Liam’s brown eyes gazed into mine and he grinned down at me. Even in heels, he still slightly towered above me and he bent to me, pressing his lips hard against mine. Our mouths together, tongues wrestling, and his arms keeping me steady and on my feet as he gave me the best kiss he could. One of his arms travelled up my back and his hand clenched into my blonde curls while his teeth took a nibble at my bottom lip, evoking a moan.

At once, Liam broke away. I was out of breath and exhilarated at a kiss that was worth thousands if not more. He then did something completely unexpected and dropped to one knee. My heart flew into my throat as he took my hand into his.

“Bethany, I couldn’t think of a better place than right here in front of where your dad’s bar stood then to do this. When I was introduced to you, I remember thinking what could this skinny little blonde teach me. Well, she taught me everything there is to know about love, hard work, and finding your place in the world. I screwed things up eventually, and the worst circumstances brought us back together. I love you so much. We’ve both grown in these past months and I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to grow old with, but you. Bethany Lydia Cross, will you marry me?” I stood in awe as Liam produced a ring from his pocket. It was a simple silver band with a small, but beautiful diamond.

“Liam,” I whispered, not fully able to say anything else.

I wanted to marry him. God, knows I did, but there were logistics I could never see happening. Liam hated the city. He hated me in L.A. and it was never a place he’d truly want to live. I couldn’t leave my career to settle down in Fort Shasta and he knew that. We’d been long distance, but that would never sustain us through a marriage.

I walked away.

I didn’t say a single word to him, I simply walked away. It would never work, and getting into a marriage would set us up for disaster. Liam wasn’t thinking right and he didn’t have his head on straight.

The crowd that was excited a moment ago and surrounding us, was parting for me as I kept walking. I didn’t exactly know where I was going, but I had to get away for only that moment. I had to do what I did best as a successful doctor, think clearly.