There was something different about the gumbo-limbo tree. It was shedding its bark, but that was normal. The locals called it a tourist tree for a reason. It was also losing some of its leaves. Although that typically happened later in the fall, it was cool for September, so that wasn’t it, either.
Marlow studied it as Walker spread out the blanket they’d brought with them. She’d invited him over to Seaclusion for a picnic and had suggested they have it on the beach—but not this part of the beach. She’d imagined taking advantage of what warmth they could garner from the sun on such a chilly day, instead of blocking it out with the vegetation that grew so thick in this area.
He was the one who’d insisted they eat by “their” tree.
“What are you looking at?” he asked when he noticed her squinting.
“Something’s different,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
She got up. The markings she’d noticed were right above the hole where they’d stashed small gifts for each other over the years. Actually, Walker had given her far more than she’d ever given him. But those memories and this tree meant a lot to her now. She loved him so much she couldn’t believe there’d ever been a time she hadn’t wanted him—despite what she’d seen in other relationships, despite learning that even her parents’ marriage hadn’t been perfect, despite everything.
Assuming someone had defaced the tree, she marched over, already angry. But once she got close enough to really see what’d happened, she felt a smile spread across her face. Four letters, encased in a big heart, had been carved into the trunk: WC + MM.
She glanced over her shoulder as Walker came up behind her. “You did this?”
His hands went around her and pulled her back against his chest. “Yeah.”
“I like it,” she replied, reveling in the warmth of his body and the familiarity of his touch. “You used to leave me such sweet surprises here. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize how rare and wonderful you really are.”
“I’m just glad you think so now,” he said with a chuckle. “Better late than never.”
“When did you carve our initials?”
“A week or so ago. I was hoping you’d notice on your own, but when you didn’t, I got tired of waiting and decided to suggest we have the picnic here.”
“It’s because you quit leaving me gifts that I’ve had no reason to come out here,” she teased.
“How do you know I quit?” he asked. “Have you checked it lately?”
She twisted around to see his face. “Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
“Okay.” She stepped away so she could reach inside the tree, felt around and pulled out a...key? “What’s this?” she asked, holding it up to him.
“It’s to my house,” he explained as he rested his forehead against hers. “I love you, Marlow. I always have, and I always will. I know we haven’t been together that long, but...I’m hoping you’ll agree to move in. I want you with me every night, and every morning, and every day...”
Marlow slipped her arms around his neck. In the past, she’d sworn she’d never put her heart at risk, never go through what she’d seen so many of her clients go through. But love had gotten the best of her, after all. “Of course I will. I want to share every moment I can with you.”
He kissed her, and she tightened her arms, bringing him back for a second kiss when he lifted his head. Then she drew him down the beach toward the main house, so they could tell their mothers they’d be moving in together. Rosemary lived in a small rental house with Rudy on the other side of the island, but she and Eileen got together regularly. At the moment, they were sitting out on the deck while Eileen’s new housekeeper brought them tea.