Chapter 10: The Ring in the White Pine
That evening, as the celebratory bonfire crackled on the beach and acoustic fiddles played lively mountain reels on the dock, David led Hannah out to the end of the granite point.
The water was black and still as glass, reflecting a vast canopy of northern stars.
David reached into his canvas jacket, pulling out a small, hand-carved box made of native white pine.
He placed it into Hannah’s hands.
Hannah opened the lid.
Inside lay a simple, elegant band hand-carved from seasoned heart-pine salvaged from the original 1880 framing of the cabin, polished to a silky luster with natural beeswax, inlaid with a microscopic ribbon of native river copper that caught the starlight like a thread of gold.
""In Boston, people buy diamonds to show how much credit they can command, Hannah,"" David said, his voice deep, steady, and filled with unconditional devotion. ""In these hills, 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 this shore, and build an honest life beside you for as long as I draw breath.""
Hannah 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,"" Hannah whispered, throwing her arms around his neck, pulling him close against her heart. ""Always yes.""
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