Chapter Fifteen

Tuesday night found the trio in the backyard, sitting around the fire pit, talking and making smores as they had so many times over the years. Only now, instead of Tanner teasing or ignoring Mia as he had before, they sat snuggled side-by-side.

They laughed and talked well past sundown, until Mia finally yawned and said, “I’m heading to bed. We’ve got an early day tomorrow.”

She stood, kissed Tanner on the mouth and Blake on the cheek, then headed up the back porch stairs and out of view.

“You’re good together,” Blake said solemnly once she’d gone inside.

“I think so, too,” Tanner replied with a grin as he speared another marshmallow to hold over the open flame. “Whiskey time?”

“Whiskey time,” Blake confirmed, and opened the bottle he’d brought outside with him. He poured three fingers’ worth each into two tumblers and handed Tanner one.

“You know, seeing you and Mia together, it’s got me thinking,” Blake murmured.

“About what?” Tanner asked, and watched a very, very rare event unfold - Blake Jones blushing like a middle-schooler.

"Well, uh, you see, the last time Mia and I got a chance to video chat was a couple of months ago, when I called to let her know I’d be able to come home for Christmas. Her roommate walked into camera range while we were on the call - and I haven't been able to get her out of my head ever since. I think her name is Cheryl. But I don't know for certain - and I can't ask Mia about her, because I don't want Mia to know."

Tanner's eyebrows winged skyward at Blake's admission, and he let out a long, low whistle.

“Yeah,” Blake muttered, one hand running through his coal black hair. “Not to mention, I still have a year left of active duty. By the time I get to come home for good…”

He trailed off and swallowed hard.

“Why do I get the feeling that Mia’s roommate and you rethinking your Navy plans are somehow connected?” Tanner queried.

"Dammit. You still don’t miss much, do you?" Blake retorted before he finished off his whiskey.

"It's crazy, right? That I'm even thinking about a girl I've only seen one time through a computer screen? How dumb is that? I mean, to be fair, I was already considering making some changes. But seeing her…".

Blake trailed off, then grinned. “Let’s just say it accelerated my interest in a big change of plans.”

"It's one hell of a big change, for sure," Tanner replied. "I would say at least wait until you meet her in person before you decide anything. Maybe hold off until Mia's graduation in May. You'll be able to make it to that, right?"

"Hopefully," Blake answered as he poured more whiskey for them both. "I really hope so."

***

Early Wednesday they were back at the airport, and a misty-eyed Mia flung her arms around her brother and hugged him as hard as she could.

"Please be careful," she pleaded through her tears.

"I'll be safe, I promise," Blake soothed as he hugged her back. "And I'm gonna try like hell to make it to your graduation next spring, all right?"

She sniffled as she took a step back. "O... okay."

After Blake hugged his mother and father, he stepped over to Tanner.

"Do me a favor," he whispered as they did their usual one-armed 'bro hug.' 

"Name it."

"Try to find out her name for me, would you?"

"Sure thing," Tanner murmured, and grinned, and pulled Mia to his side as they watched Blake walk toward the security checkpoint entrance.

He turned, waved goodbye, and walked out of view.

"Well, then," Phil managed after he'd cleared his throat. "I guess we'd better get going."

As the four of them strolled back out of the terminal toward the parking garage, Tanner squeezed Mia's hand.

"When do you have to be back on campus?"

"I suppose I could go back anytime. But I don't start classes again until Tuesday," she replied.

"Really? In that case - will you please go on a date with me tonight?"

Mia beamed.

"Absolutely."

***

The following May, Tanner sat next to Gladys and Phil Jones and clapped as Mia crossed the stage in her cap and gown and shook hands with the university’s dean, then accepted her diploma. Then Tanner scooted over one seat to make room for Blake, who'd arrived ten minutes earlier and who'd waited at the back of the auditorium until after Mia returned to her seat to join them in the row.

“Think she’ll be surprised?” her brother asked as he clapped a hand on Tanner's shoulder.

“I know she will.”

When the ceremony ended, she made her way over to her family for hugs and congratulations. Tanner held back, letting her parents and brother enjoy the moment with her first. And he grinned as Mia's eyes went wide and she whooped for joy and embraced her brother, then finally introduced Blake and Cheryl face-to-face.

Wow, look at the sparks flying between those two, Tanner noted, then refocused his attention on the brunette that had claimed his heart. He waited, biding his time until her back was turned to him, then got into position.

***

“I’m starved. I was thinking Italian,” Mia told her mom. “There’s this great place about a half-mile from here. Tanner and I can meet you all there. Right, Tanner?”

When Mia turned to look at him, she gasped in surprise, tears coming to her eyes.

The man she’d loved for over half her life was down on one knee, holding open a velvet box with the most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen.

“Mia Jones, I’m in love with you, and you’re my world. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she stammered, tears streaming and a megawatt smile on her face. “Yes.”

She was only vaguely aware of her family clapping and cheering as Tanner stood, slid the ring onto her finger, and lowered his mouth to hers.

***

That evening, after they’d packed up the last of her things in the apartment, she wrapped her arms around his waist, and murmured, “So, I’ve been thinking.”

“About?” Tanner replied as he kissed the top of her head.

“I don’t report to work at Prism County until next Monday, and I was thinking that since we’re engaged now, I could come home with you, and…” she looked up at him with a sultry smile, and finished, “you can finally open your gift.”

Tanner lifted her off her feet and kissed her.

“Get ready, woman,” he growled with passion, “because we’re about to get back to Winters in record time so I can take you up on that.”