“SO, WHERE are we going?” Nell asked when they got in her car.
“Malibu. Steve said he’d be camping at a state park tonight up that way.”
“Do you know which one?”
She bit her lip. “Um, no, not exactly, but I’m sure I’ll find him.”
Nell rolled her eyes. “Lord, give me patience. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
Ava grinned at her sister. “I have no idea.”
“I wish I understood you better.” Nell shook her head with a smile. “How are you so brave?”
“I don’t know. I just—I want to know what’s around the next corner, at the end of the road. I don’t know how to explain it. But, Nell,” she reached for her big sister’s hand. “I hope just once you’ll let yourself do something reckless.”
Nell squeezed her hand.
They stopped at the first state park. Ava anxiously scanned every campsite as they drove through the campground, but there was no sign of Steve or Pearl.
“Just how far up the coast are you going to make me drive?” Nell asked.
“Just two more campgrounds, please,” she pleaded, studying the map.
They were halfway through the second campground. Despite the outward confidence she showed her sister, she struggled to fight off a wave of uncertainty, worrying she might not find him. Then she spotted a white van in the distance.
“There,” she shouted, grasping the door handle.
“Don’t jump out of the car,” Nell laughed. “It might not even be the right one. There’s more than one white camper van in the state of California.”
“No, it’s Pearl, I know it is.”
“The van has a name? Good lord, the two of you really are meant for each other.”
Nell always teased Ava about naming inanimate objects, like the vacuum cleaner she’d named Dusty and the coffeemaker she’d dubbed Chuck. Optimism bubbled in her chest. Maybe if Nell could accept Steve, there was hope for her parents.
They pulled up alongside the van and she jumped out, calling for Steve. There was no answer. Nell got out and stretched, holding her hand above her eyes as she looked toward the ocean.
“Sis, look,” she said, pointing toward a lone figure standing at the water’s edge.
She took off running.
“Steve,” she called, racing across the sand.
She called his name again as she got closer. He turned, his eyes growing wide.
“You’re here,” he said, as she threw her arms around him.
“I found you,” she said at the same time.
Their mouths melted together. She kissed him like this was her first, last, and only kiss, putting all the love she had for him into it.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice full of wonder and hope.
“I told my parents I love them, but you’re the love of my life. It will take time, but they’ll come around. I knew I had to come back to you.”
Steve slumped with relief, crushing her against him. They stood together, the setting sun bathing them in a warm glow that couldn’t outshine the love radiating between them.
A sharp whistle finally broke them apart. Ava looked up to see Nell waving at them from the top of the bluff.
Ava took Steve by the hand. “Come and meet my sister.”
He grabbed his socks and shoes, and they made their way up the trail to where her sister stood smiling at them.
“Steve, this is my sister, Nell,” Ava said.
Nell shook Steve’s hand. “Future sister-in-law, I suspect,” she said with a mischievous smile.
He let go of Nell’s hand and put his arm around Ava’s shoulders, pulling her close to his side. “I’d like to make that happen as soon as possible.”
Nell’s smile softened. “Give Mom and Dad a bit of time. They’ll come around. It’s hard when you have such a powerful idea of what your children’s lives will be.”
She mouthed “Six months” to Steve.
Nell pulled her sister into a hug. “It’s getting late, and it’s a long drive home.”
“Thank you.” Her voice broke. “I love you, sis. Will you tell Mom and Dad?”
Nell nodded, understanding what she was really asking. Her sister would tell their parents how happy Ava was with Steve. She hoped Nell would have her own moment like this when she found the person she trusted to have a lifetime of adventures with.
Then Nell surprised her by giving Steve a hug, whispering, “Take care of my sister.”
They stood arm in arm, waving goodbye until Nell’s taillights disappeared and it was just the two of them.
Ava wrapped her arms around Steve’s waist. “Are we being Fools in Love?”
“Are you having second thoughts? I know this is a huge leap of faith and I—”
She cut him off with a kiss. “I’m where I’m supposed to be. I just….” She bit her lips. “What will your parents say?”
He pressed a kiss to her cheek, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “I stopped and called them after I left your house. They can’t wait to meet you.”
She let her forehead drop to his chest, releasing the worry she’d been holding in.
“Sweetheart,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. She let out a gasp when he dropped to one knee.
He took her hands in his. “Ava, I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, but last time I wasn’t daring when I should have been and I don’t want to make the same mistake twice.” He frowned. “I don’t have a ring. I should have a ring. You deserve a ring. I—”
She cupped his face. “I don’t need a ring, I just need you. Will you marry me, Steve?”
He shook his head, laughing. “I’m asking you to marry me. You’re not doing it right.”
She pulled him up from his knee and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think we’ve already established that we don’t follow the rules. I love you so much, Steve. Please say yes,” she said, choking back tears.
Steve kissed her forehead, then her nose. “Yes, to a life of road trips with you; yes, to taking our children camping someday.” He smiled. “Ava?”
Her lips curled up. “Yes, Steve.”
“This isn’t madness, this is love, and yes, I’ll marry you.”