As the adrenaline left Molly’s body, the reality of the situation hit hard. Either or both of them could have died. What would she have done if it had been Spencer? The thought made her blood run cold. She would have been devastated, because she was in love with him.

Even though she felt that way about him, it didn’t mean it was reciprocated after what had happened between them. After all, he had plenty of opportunities to tell her he cared before she went home with her parents, but he never broached the subject.

Perhaps he was simply grateful for the help, but the romantic feelings for her were gone. If that was the case, there was no point in sticking around Bayfield. She had promised her boss a great story, and now she had one. It was time to get back to Seattle and make good on her promise.

Molly packed up her bags with her mother’s help.

“Promise me you won’t stay away so long this time,” her mother begged, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.

“I won’t, Mom. There’s no reason to stay away now. With Tiffany locked up, and Spencer and me on friendly terms, it’s not hard coming home anymore.”

“What do you mean by ‘friendly’ terms?” her mother probed. “I thought you guys were back together.”

“I messed things up this time. I ruined our second chance,” Molly stated with regret.

“I think you’ve got it all wrong,” her father stated from the hall. “That boy has always been crazy about you. Some things never change.”

“It can if you make a big enough mistake, which I did,” Molly corrected. “He forgave me, but I can tell he only wants to be friends now.”

Her father adamantly shook his head. “You’re wrong this time, Molly. You get your stubbornness from me, and sometimes it’s a good thing because it makes you work hard and not give up, but it can also cause you to be blind to the truth.”

“I appreciate both of your concerns, but I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I need to finish getting ready to ride the train back to Seattle.”

Her parents left and Molly continued to pack the last of her clothes. Though she didn’t like to admit it, she had enjoyed being home. Enough that if things had ended differently with Spencer, she might have considered moving home.

She shook her head, trying to push the what-could-have-been thoughts out of her mind. It just didn’t work out the way she wanted, and she needed to find a way to make peace with it.

Molly placed her laptop and cable into her bag, then glanced around the room a final time before switching the light off. She closed the door to her old bedroom and padded down the hallway.

She glanced at her phone and realized she still had two hours before her train left. Should she pull out her laptop and work? If she did, and got into a flow, it would be difficult to quit. Better to wait until she was settled back in at her home office in Seattle. She considered watching a bit of a movie, but she hated starting one she couldn’t finish, so that didn’t appeal to her either.

Her phone buzzed and she glanced down. A text from Spencer appeared.

Can we meet?

I need to talk with you.

Molly contemplated her response. Part of her was thrilled at the fact he had reached out to her, but the other part was scared of being disappointed again. Maybe he just wanted to say goodbye. Could she gracefully handle that in person? She didn’t think so, as images of her crying her eyes out and running from Ruby’s Diner flashed through her mind.

It was better to walk away with a clean break rather than ending up hurt again. She ignored the text and decided watching a movie was her best bet.

She sat down on the couch, and flipped on the television. She scrolled down the guide, hoping to come across something she had already seen. Most of the movies were sci-fi, which she didn’t care for, or action films which often gave her a headache. She wanted to watch a comedy, hoping a few laughs would lighten her melancholy mood.

Her eyes caught a familiar title. Fool’s Gold. The Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey romantic comedy made Molly think back to the first time she watched that movie.

It had been one of the few times that Molly and Spencer had gone on a real date while they were secretly together. They had snuck over to Jonesville, a neighboring town, and watched the flick at their movie theater.

Her fingers couldn’t click to the next channel. Soon, an hour had passed and her alarm on her phone buzzed, reminding her it was time to go.

“You ready to head out,” her mother asked, picking up her keys and purse.

Molly stood up and grabbed her belongings. “Yes, I’m ready.”

The short drive to the train station passed with her mother talking about Molly coming home for Thanksgiving. Molly was polite, answering when there was a question, and agreeing with whatever her mother said, but her mind wouldn’t stop thinking about Spencer.

Molly kept wondering if she was going to regret not agreeing to meet with him. She would never know what it was he wanted to talk to her about, and more importantly, she was walking away without telling him she was in love with him.

She flip-flopped between telling her mom to turn around, and to continue to the train station. Not knowing what to do, Molly sent up a silent prayer to God, asking Him to give her guidance.

When they arrived at the train station, Molly thought she had her answer. Nothing had stopped her or made her change her mind. She climbed out of the car and hugged her mother goodbye, before grabbing her bags.

“Thanks, Mom, for everything. I love you. Tell Dad I love him too.”

Her mother nodded, trying to hold back the tears.

Molly repressed a smile, still amused that her whole life, her mother cried at a drop of the hat when it came to events in her life. Today was no exception. Trying to comfort her, she said, “Don’t be upset, Mom. I’ll be back in a couple of months.”

“I know. I’m just going to miss you,” she stated through tears.

“You’re not the only one,” Spencer’s familiar voice said from behind her.

Molly spun around to find Spencer standing a few feet away. “Your dad texted me, and told me you were leaving.”

“I’ll let you two talk alone,” her mother stated. “I’ll go see about getting a refund for your ticket, Molly, since it looks like you’re going to be staying now.”

Molly didn’t argue with her mother, but instead continued to stare at Spencer. “What are you doing here?”

“I was stupid once for letting you walk out of my life, I’m not going to do it twice.”

“I get it, you want to be friends. You don’t want there to be bad blood between us, but you don’t have to worry about that. We both forgave each other, and now we can move on with our lives.”

“That’s just it, Molly. I can’t move on with my life if you’re not in it. I couldn’t let you leave without telling you how I feel, so much so I want to beg you to not give up on us.” He reached out and took her hands, looking deep into her eyes. “I should have said this yesterday. I was stupid not to, but I thought it could wait. I was wrong. I love you, Molly. I’ve loved you for over ten years now, and I’ve never stopped. You were and are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Tell me you’ll be my girl so we can start our lives together,” he begged. “I want to be able to shout it to the whole world.”

Molly couldn’t believe she was finally hearing the words she had wanted to hear for over ten years. Spencer Conrad loved her, wanted to be with her, and wanted the whole world to know his feelings.

“Okay, I’ll be your girl,” she whispered. “How can I refuse the man I love?”

“You love me too?”

She nodded. “I have since we were kids, but I pushed it away because you hurt me so bad. When I saw you again, the love came bubbling right back to the surface, scaring me half to death.”

“You don’t have to be afraid anymore. This was always meant to be.”

Spencer reached out and pulled Molly towards him. He cupped the side of her face with his hand, as he leaned in and claimed her mouth with his own.

Molly’s heart raced, beating wildly like thundering horses galloping towards a cliff. She couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his neck and melt into his embrace. In that moment, she knew she was right where she was supposed to be.

Spencer looked at the blue velvet box in his hand and imagined Molly’s reaction as he popped the question. The design of the engagement ring was like her, classic and beautiful, with a single flawless diamond in the center and a gold band. He added one extra touch by engraving it. The inside of the band simply read: our second chance.

As he waited just inside Molly’s new apartment, he could feel the anticipation rising in him. They had been dating long distance for the past three months while Molly sold her condo in Seattle. She finally moved everything into her new place in Bayfield this past weekend.

He was glad the situation with Tiffany and Bob was finally behind them. Both of them had pled guilty in order to get a shorter sentence. Spencer was relieved they wouldn’t have to go through a lengthy trial to see justice met. Molly and Spencer could move on with their lives without all of that worry and stress hanging over them.

Tonight, Molly thought they were going on a regular date like any other Saturday, not knowing that it was going to change both their lives forever. He couldn’t wait to put the ring on Molly’s finger after she said ‘yes.’

Molly entered the room wearing a blue spaghetti-strapped dress with lace along the neckline and bodice. It flared out and ended just above the knee, revealing her gorgeous legs and black heels.

“You look amazing,” Spencer said with a smile.

“Thanks,” she said, grabbing her coat and purse.

“Here, let me help you with that,” he offered, taking her coat and helping her into it.

“Do you have an umbrella?” she asked, “or do I need to take one?”

“I have one in the car. We’re good.”

She nodded as she they made their way outside and took off in his car for their date. As they drove over, Molly was texting on her phone.

“Who are you texting?” Spencer asked out of curiosity.

“Oh, just my mom. She wanted to know what I was doing tonight since I was in town.”

“Was she disappointed you couldn’t hang out? Did she say anything else?” Spencer asked with apprehension. He had asked Molly’s father last week for his blessing, and he was worried her mother might let it slip.

“No, she understands we have plans. She told us to have a good time.”

Spencer relaxed, grateful the surprise engagement wasn’t ruined. He should have known they wouldn’t say anything, since they helped him plan the whole evening.

They arrived at the Mariner’s Club, and Molly turned to Spencer with a giant smile on her face. “We’re having dinner here? We haven’t been back since our first kiss.” Her face scrunched up as she laughed, “Well, our second first kiss that is.”

“I thought we could celebrate you finally being a permanent Bayfield resident again.”

“I like the sound of that. It’s nice being home,” she said as Spencer helped her out of the car.

They made their way down the pier and into the swanky establishment. The same twinkling lights were glowing around the property, but this time there were extra strands on the wooden wall, arranged to spell out, “Will you marry me?”

Molly stopped moving, and turned to Spencer with disbelief. “Is that for me?”

Spencer nodded, getting down on one knee in front of her. He pulled out the ring box and opened it to reveal the engagement ring. “Will you marry me, that is?”

Her hands flew to her mouth as her body shook. She jumped up and down as she shouted, “Yes, yes, I will marry you.”

He placed the ring on her finger, then stood up and pulled her into a hug. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.”

“Why don’t we go inside and enjoy dinner. I still have a couple more surprises for you.”

“There’s more?” Molly asked with awe. “What is it?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Spencer said with a wink, as he pushed open the doors to the club, revealing tons of twinkling lights and candles, making the room glow with warmth. The back doors started to open, and in filed all of their friends and Molly’s family.

They surrounded the newly engaged couple, as Spencer yelled, “She said, ‘yes,’” as he took her hand and raised it in the air for all to see.

There was deafening applause and cheers that filled the massive room. Spencer turned around.

“Is this a loud enough shout that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you?”

“Yes, of course it is.”

“I’m glad to hear it, but there’s still more,” he told her.

The familiar sound of Only You started, causing Molly to jerk her head towards the stage. “You had Blindsided come perform for us again?”

“You bet I did. I want to make you happy every day of your life, Molly.” He leaned towards her and kissed her before adding, “I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” she said, letting him gather her into his arms.

They swayed to the music together, enjoying their song, with all their friends and family around them. When the music ended, Spencer turned to the crowd and said, “I’m so glad all of you could be here with us tonight. Pastor Matt said a few months back that sometimes God gives you a second chance because you’re not ready the first time. That’s exactly how I feel about Molly and me ending up together all these years later. I wasn’t ready back when we were kids—actually it was worse than that, I messed it up completely, but our God is a God of second chances. Fortunately, Molly and I both believe in love and forgiveness. We’ve realized that this time we can get it right.”

He turned to Molly, his heart full with joy at the thought of marrying her, and said, “We were meant to be, Molly. I’m so glad you decided to take another chance on me. I didn’t deserve it, but you gave it to me anyway, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you that you made the right decision.”

Over the course of the next two hours everyone came up and congratulated the happily engaged couple. Towards the end of the evening, Molly’s parents came up to them and handed them an envelope.

“What’s this?” Molly asked with puzzlement.

“It’s a check with the amount of money we saved up for your wedding,” her mother explained. “We always hoped you would find the right guy to settle down with, and now you have.”

“I know you’re going to treat my daughter right. You’re a good man, Spencer, and I’m going to be proud to call you my son.”

Ken Price’s affirmation made Spencer proud. He had said as much when Spencer asked for the man’s blessing on their marriage, but it never got old hearing that he approved.

A few minutes later, Greg came up to them and was grinning ear-to-ear. “I’m so happy for you guys. God worked it all out the way it’s supposed to be. Before I go, I have something to share with both of you.” He pulled out a phone from his back pocket and punched a button.

Suddenly, the familiar voice of Sarah came from the phone as Greg turned the phone towards them. “Hey, you guys. Sorry I can’t be there, but I wanted to tell you both how happy I am for you. Everything is great over here in Uganda. I love my English classes I’m teaching. God is really doing amazing things here, and what started out as just a year trip, looks like it’s going to be permanent. I plan to make a trip back for your wedding though, so make sure to send me an invite,” she finished, blowing them a farewell kiss in the video.

“Thanks for that, Greg. We appreciate you delivering the message,” Spencer said, patting his friend on the back.

Next to talk with them was Pastor Matt, and his wife, Sandra. They came up to the couple with giant smiles on their faces.

“Congratulations you two,” Sandra beamed at them. “You two make the cutest couple.”

“Thank you,” Molly said.

“I’m excited to preside over your wedding. Just let us know when you’ve set a date, and we can schedule your pre-marital counseling.”

“Thanks, Pastor Matt. We’ll do that,” Spencer said with a nod.

Once they were alone again, Molly turned to Spencer and said, “All of this has been the most wonderful surprise. I’m so touched by all the work you put into this.”

“You’re worth it, Molly. I love you so much, and I wanted our engagement to be a night you would never forget.”

“Well, you succeeded. It will be a night I plan to tell our children about for the rest of our lives.”

He pulled her into his arms, and whispered against her ear, “I like the sound of that. Our children. Our lives. We’re going to be incredibly happy, Molly Price.”

“I agree, Spencer Conrad.”