Epilogue
Six Months Later
Sam wrapped up the cord to Haley’s Shop-Vac and surveyed the newly finished downstairs room. After they’d torn out the old bathroom and put in all new fixtures and tile, including a sauna, they’d started on the new family room, putting in an egress window on the west side. A wide-plank, rough-hewn pine floor, insulation, new walls, a closet and built-in bookshelves turned the space into an inviting gathering place for family and friends. He’d also installed a small wet bar, and a gas fireplace.
He and Haley had worked well together, hardly any fights at all during the months they’d remodeled the basement. And the arguments they did have, he’d pretty much started for the fun of having makeup sex. Side by side they’d transformed the dark, cold space into a bright, warm room, a perfect place to hang out. If that didn’t mean their relationship worked, he didn’t know what did.
“Wyatt is coming over later to help me move my entertainment center, TV and couch out of storage and into our new family room.” He turned to Haley. “So? What do you think?”
She crossed the room and slid her arms around his waist. “I love it. How about you?”
“I’m happy with the way it turned out, but . . .” He sighed dramatically for effect.
“But?” Haley’s eyes filled with concern as she searched his face.
“Well, I’ve been thinking.” He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her. “Once we turn the upstairs into a master bedroom suite, along with this room, we’ll have added significantly to the usable square footage. We could make a nice little profit if we sold this house.”
“Sell our home?” She frowned. “But I thought you liked living here with me.”
“I love living with you, Haley, but this is a small house. I have money saved. I thought we could sell this place, put the profit and my money together and buy a house that will be ours. We need a home big enough for a growing family, something we want to stay in for years and years.”
“Oh, Sam, I love you so much,” she said, her voice hitching. “I’d like that.”
“We could build new, or buy a place worth fixing up. I enjoy remodeling with you, so I’m leaning toward an older home with character.” He tucked an errant strand of silky brown hair behind her ear, and cradled her face against his shoulder. His heart turned over, and tenderness for her swamped him.
The depth of his love for her grew with each passing day, expanding him and enriching his life in ways he’d never imagined possible. She truly was his greatest adventure, and absolutely nothing in the world would ever compare to having Haley by his side. “I love you,” he whispered.
She made a muffled, soggy sound, and the place where her face rested against his shoulder grew damp. “Oh, no. Don’t cry, Haley.” He drew back to peer at her. “I thought you’d be happy. I got you a present. That should cheer you up.”
“I’m not sad, Sam.” She let out a shaky laugh. “Tell me you bought me a new miter box. If you did, you’re the best boyfriend ever.”
“Really?” he said. “That’s all it would take?” He pulled the small velvet box from his back pocket. His poor heart pounding away in his chest, he went down on one knee. He opened the box to reveal the engagement ring he’d chosen for her. It was classy and beautiful, like Haley. “What do you say, Haley? This handyman’s heart beats for you and you alone, and it always will. Marry me?”
Squealing, she threw her arms around his neck, knocking him off balance. But then, he’d been off balance since the day they’d met, and he discovered he liked the dizzy way she made him feel. He caught himself with a hand on the wall and stood up. Haley continued to cling to him, and that was perfectly fine with him.
“Yes, Sam. Yes,” she murmured against his neck.
“Good.” He held her tight, his eyes tearing. “What about a winter wedding, a nice honeymoon somewhere warm, and then we can get busy making a few flotation devices together. I was thinking five is a good number.”
She laughed. “I’m thinking two is enough.”
“Three it is.”
Proud and happy beyond belief, Sam kissed her, drawing his bundle of wonderful as close as possible. “Tomorrow, let’s gather the troops and make our announcement.” He chuckled. “Trudy’s going to shit a brick.”
“She’s coming around. She likes you, and it ticks her off, because she can’t help herself.”
“Pick a date, and we can start looking for places for the reception. Grandpa Joe and Grandma Maggie will want us to get married in their church. Is that OK with you?”
“I’d like that very much.”
“Love you.” He wrapped his arms around her, content to spend a few more minutes celebrating. Sam closed his eyes and sent a silent thank-you to his mom and dad. He hoped they were looking down at him now, pleased to see he’d honored their memory by reaching for his own happiness. He’d asked the love of his life to be his forever, and doing so hadn’t caused even a smidgeon of panic. “I’m glad I called in that morning to the Loaded Question radio show.”
“Really?” Haley shot him an incredulous look.
“If I hadn’t, Trudy never would’ve fixed us up. I wouldn’t have met you, and I’d still be fooling myself into believing I didn’t want anything or anyone tying me down. So, yeah. Really. I’m happy, Haley. Happier than I’ve ever been. In fact, I might write the radio station and let them know how it all turned out.” He chuckled.
“Or maybe not. I do plan to thank your mother though.” He would, too, from the bottom of his reformed heart. He imagined the expression on his future mother-in-law’s face when she discovered exactly how well her scheme had worked out after all.
Sam twined his fingers with Haley’s, every chamber of his heart full to bursting. “Are you disappointed I didn’t get you a new miter box? Does this mean I’m not the best boyfriend ever?”
“Fiancé,” she said. “And you’re definitely the best.”