Mollie

Aspen, one year and one month later…

“Dada!” eight-month-old River babbles from my Ergobaby carrier. Cam picked her name, and when he suggested it, I instantly fell in love.

“Yes, I know, baby girl,” I say, bouncing in place, trying to keep her happy. “I want Dada, too.”

I’m a nervous wreck. I’ve seen Cam compete before, but this is his comeback. His chance to win back his King of the Mountain status and snag another medal. He’s going to attempt some trick—that I won’t even try to remember the name of—that’s never been landed in an event before.

“Craig” I shout over the mass of spectators and family members watching next to us. “FaceTime Emersyn. She’ll kill me if I forget.”

He nods, taking my phone and letting her watch via video chat. Cam is still Emersyn’s coach, and someday soon, she’s going to be better than him. He knows it, and I know it.

Once I left River’s Edge, I realized I didn’t really have a good enough reason to stay in San Francisco. Cam kept his word, attending every doctor appointment and coming down almost every weekend, all the while I made plans to relocate to River’s Edge. I illustrate children’s books now, and I can pretty much work anywhere, plus I get to put my art degree to work—just not in the way I thought.

By the time I was nine months pregnant, we were living together. My parents still think we’re batshit, and maybe we are. But that’s what happens when you’re in love. Love doesn’t wait until you have your shit together. It just happens, and you have to decide how badly you want it. I’m majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love with Cam and River, and I wouldn’t change one moment of this crazy road we took to get to this moment here and now.

I hear Cam’s name over the speaker, but the blood is rushing through my ears, making it impossible to hear what they’re saying. Before I can ask one of my brothers, I see Cam. I see him flying down the mountain, and when he hits that jump and is launched into the air, I fight the urge to cover my eyes with my hands.

I count his flips, the moment seemingly in slow-motion, though it’s actually probably only about four seconds.

One…two…three…four…five.

“And he lands it, ladies and gentlemen! Camden Hess is breaking records here in Aspen again, and I think it’s safe to say, the King is back.”

Cam slides down the hill, cutting through the snow, coming to a stop directly in front of us. He rips his helmet and goggles off and kisses River before smashing his lips to mine.

“You did it, baby!” I squeal, so unbelievably happy for him. I know he’s missed it. Being Emersyn’s coach and dragging River on a mini snowboard around the living room floor just isn’t the same.

“Hey, Mollie Mabey!” he shouts over the chaos. “What are you doing for the rest of your life?” He holds out his hand, and Andrew reaches over to drop a little box into Cam’s palm before he goes down on one knee.

“Oh my God,” I gasp, completely taken aback. Cam pulls my hand away from my shocked expression and slides the ring on.

“You know, when a snowboarder or skier goes down hard, and their gear goes flying everywhere, and they’re completely laid out? We have a name for that. It’s called a Yard Sale, and baby, you’re my fucking yard sale. Dare and Cordell called it from the start. You knocked me on my ass, and I was never the same again. And I never want to be, because this life with you and River is more than I will ever deserve. Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I scream, and River mimics the sound, throwing a little mitten-covered fist up. “I love you,” I mouth, as the crowd bursts into applause. My eyes fill with tears—I’m starting to think I’ll be an emotional sap for the rest of my life at this point—and Cam leans over the barrier, giving me a kiss far too indecent for public. But I let him, because he’s my yard sale, too.

“I love you, Mollie Mabey,” he says against my mouth.

“I am majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love with you, Camden Hess.”