Chapter 10: The Ring in the White Oak
That evening, as the full harvest moon rose over the mountain ridges, painting the pastures in silver and deep indigo light, Ryan led Courtney up the stone trail to the highest lookout on the western ridge.
A small fire of seasoned hickory was crackling in the outdoor stone hearth beside the old lookout shelter.
Ryan reached into his wool coat, pulling out a small, hand-carved box made of native black walnut wood.
He placed it into Courtney’s hands.
Courtney opened the lid.
Inside lay a simple, elegant ring hand-carved from seasoned white oak heartwood salvaged from the original 1920 framing of their cottage, polished to a silky luster with natural beeswax, inlaid with a microscopic ribbon of native Virginia river copper that caught the firelight like a thin thread of gold.
""In Richmond, I bought you diamond jewelry on credit to prove I was important, Courtney,"" Ryan said, his voice deep, steady, and filled with unconditional devotion. ""In these mountains, we shape wood to show that we will stand beside each other through every winter storm 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 work, and my sacred promise to love you, shelter our children, and serve this ground beside you for as long as I draw breath.""
Courtney looked down at the wooden band, feeling its living grain against her skin.
Her eyes filled with tears of radiant, boundless joy.
May you like
""Yes, Ryan,"" Courtney whispered, throwing her arms around his neck, pulling him close against her heart. ""With all my soul, yes.""
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