A Little Too Late (Madigan Mountain #1)(80)

After a little bit of thought, Reed had decided that he didn’t mind moving back into the home where he grew up. “A lot happened to me in that house. Not all of it good,” he’d conceded. “But let’s make it ours. Let’s start fresh.”

So we’re repainting, renovating the bathrooms, and changing the bedroom configuration upstairs.

Mark and Melody just closed on a condo that came up for sale, and they’ll have someplace to stay when they’re in Colorado.

But it’s been a lot of work for everyone.

Reed takes my hand, his thumb stroking my palm, as the chair rises over the new ski hill.

“Look at all the cutting you’ve done,” Block says, looking down at the newly cleared runs. “How many trails will you have open by winter?”

“Five,” Reed says. “Plus some gladed terrain.”

“Can’t wait to try it out,” Block says. “You’re a busy guy. How’s the home renovation coming?”

“Fine, but Ava is riding herd on that,” he says, sliding his fingers over mine. “She’s the one who has to answer all the contractors’ questions about electrical outlets and bathroom fixtures.”

He isn’t wrong. “I know everything about tile patterns that I never wanted to know.”

Block gives me a friendly smile. He’s a good guy, and Reed has enjoyed working with him on the development project. “Reed, the reason I hopped on here with you two is that I have something to show you. I’ve been fishing for something on your behalf, and this morning there was a nibble on the line.” He pulls out his phone, opens to a photograph, and passes it to me.

Mindful I don’t drop it, I pass the phone carefully to Reed. But I can see that the photo is a bronze sculpture, and I can tell that his mother made it.

“Whoa,” Reed says, enlarging the photo. “Whose is this?”

“It’s in a private collection,” Block says. “My gallery sold it fifteen years ago as part of a group show.”

Reed is quiet a moment, admiring the sculpture. “And you think it could be for sale?”

“I know it could be,” Block says. “I approached this buyer and told him that the artist’s family was interested in reacquiring some of her work. He said to make him an offer.”

Reed whistles. Then he passes the phone back to me, and I carefully hand it back to Block. “Will you help me make an offer on Monday?”

“You know it,” Block says. “And if this one doesn’t come easily, I’ll keep looking. We’ll find you something good.”

“Thank you,” Reed says quietly. “I really appreciate that.”

As we fly over golden aspens and deep green pines, I make a mental note to think about where we might put a sculpture in the renovated house.

“Are you getting off?” Block asks when we reach the top. “I think I’ll ride right back down.” The chair slows as it reaches the loading station.

“Yeah, we’re getting off for a walk,” Reed says quickly. “See you Monday?”

“Of course! We’ll talk about roofing materials.”

“Oh baby,” Reed says, and Block laughs as we disembark.

Reed leads me away from the lift, past a knot of people who are admiring the new trail map.

“Where are we headed?” I ask.

“Anywhere. Away from all these people. Damn, I thought I’d never get you alone.”

“You seem a little strung out,” I say as gently as possible.

Reed just laughs, his smile surprisingly warm, and I can tell that he’s okay. “If it’s wrong to want a minute alone with you, then I don’t want to be right.”

“I like the way you think. What are we doing during this moment alone?” I bat my eyelashes at him. “Wait—do you want to christen this side of the mountain?”

He laughs. “That hadn’t been my intention, but now that you mention it…”

We walk uphill a little farther, past the mountain’s peak. Reed guides me to a craggy outcropping and steps aside so I can admire the vista.

“Now that’s the money view, isn’t it?” I ask in a hushed voice. It’s so beautiful here. The treetops are copper and golden, spreading out like a carpet across the valley. I pull out my phone and snap a photo, although my pic won’t do it justice.

“The view is very beautiful,” Reed says quietly. “And I was kind of hoping you’d want to spend a lifetime looking at it with me.”

His words settle over me, and I feel a tingle behind my breastbone. Is he asking what I think he might be asking?

I screw up my courage and turn to look at him.

With a sly smile, Reed drops down on one knee. Then he reaches inside his fancy sweater and pulls out a ribbon that’s hanging around his neck. When he lifts it over his head, I see a diamond solitaire engagement ring dangling from it. “Ava, will you marry me?”

I take a gasping breath and reach for the ribbon. “Y-yes,” I say in a shaky voice. “This is…wow.” It’s a round-cut stone in a platinum setting. “It’s so, so beautiful.”

He rises to his feet and kisses me. “I’ve been saving this for a ride up the ski lift.”

“The ribbon was supposed to help prevent us from dropping it off the chair,” I realize.