Chapter 9: The Ring in the Heart-Pine
That autumn, on a crisp, golden evening when the harvest moon rose over the Kennebec River, painting the salt marshes in silver and deep indigo light, David led Catherine up the stone path to the high granite bluff overlooking the water.
A small fire of seasoned red oak was crackling in the outdoor stone hearth beside the old lookout shelter.
David reached into his canvas jacket, pulling out a small, hand-carved box made of native Maine white pine.
He placed it into Catherine’s hands.
Catherine opened the lid.
Inside lay a simple, elegant band hand-carved from seasoned heart-pine salvaged from the mill’s original 1860 timber flume, polished to a silky luster with natural beeswax, inlaid with a microscopic ribbon of native river copper that caught the firelight like a thin thread of gold.
""In the city, men buy diamonds on credit to prove how much power they can command, Catherine,"" David said, his voice deep, steady, and filled with unconditional devotion. ""In these woods, we shape wood to show that we will stand beside each other through every winter gale until our work on earth is done.""
He took her hand in his, his calloused fingers warm and strong against hers.
""I give you my hands, my labor, and my sacred promise to love you, shelter your life, and serve this river beside you for as long as I draw breath.""
Catherine looked down at the wooden band, feeling its living grain against her skin.
Her hazel eyes filled with tears of radiant, unshakeable peace.
May you like
""Yes, David,"" Catherine whispered, throwing her arms around his neck, pulling him close against her heart. ""With all my soul, yes.""
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