Chapter 9 - The Forest Blossoms
The tour of the sanctuary on Saturday turned into dinner, which turned into a picnic by the lake the following Sunday, which turned into a beautiful, easy romance that felt as natural as the change of seasons.
Leo was everything my family was not. He was gentle, supportive, and possessed a quiet, steady integrity that made me feel incredibly safe. He didn't want anything from me. He just wanted to be with me.
By the spring of the following year, the June Vance Wildlife Sanctuary was officially open to the public.
Leo and I stood at the trailhead, surrounded by a small crowd of local residents, park rangers, and my attorney, Arthur Pendelton. A beautiful, hand-carved wooden sign stood at the entrance, reading:
JUNE VANCE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY “Keep wild the things you love.”
I cut the ribbon with a pair of oversized golden shears, and the crowd erupted into applause. Barnaby the golden retriever barked excitedly, wagging his tail against my legs.
"She would be so proud of you, Hannah," Arthur whispered, coming up beside me and offering a warm cup of cider. "This is a legacy that will last for generations."
"Thank you, Arthur," I said, leaning my head on his shoulder for a brief moment. "Thank you for helping me protect it."
Later that evening, after the crowds had cleared, Leo and I walked up to the highest ridge of the sanctuary. The sun was setting behind the Sierra Nevada mountains, painting the sky in brilliant shades of pink, orange, and deep, royal violet.
Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet bag. My breath hitched in my throat.
"Hannah," he said, taking my hand. "I know your family made a mess of what jewelry and commitment are supposed to mean. But I want to build a new meaning with you. A real one."
He opened the bag and pulled out a stunning, simple band made of recycled white gold, set with a delicate, ethically sourced green sapphire that matched the color of the Tahoe pines.
"I don't want to take anything from you," Leo said, his voice soft but filled with absolute certainty. "I only want to add to your life. Will you marry me?"
May you like
I looked at the green sapphire, then at Leo’s warm, loving face, and then down at the ring on my other hand—Grandma June’s diamond, catching the last rays of the sun.
"Yes," I whispered, tears of joy stinging my eyes. "A thousand times, yes."
