Chapter 19

OMG

Veronica stepped into the black car, trying not to make it obvious that she glanced all around for signs of her adoring followers. She didn't spot any in the complex, but figured there were at least two vehicles on the street. The good guys…and the bad guys.

And Veronica Mars in the middle. The story of my life.

She was truly disappointed to find herself alone in the back of the limo.

"Good evening, ma'am. Your gentleman is waiting for you at your destination."

Veronica nodded as the driver lifted the dark window separating them. Her disappointment at no Logan quickly turned to intrigue. Just what was he up to? Veronica noticed that he had been somewhat distant and aloof since she got thoroughly engulfed in FBI work. He hadn't really told her what he'd been up to the past few weeks, and now Veronica wondered if she should've been more inquisitive.

Her phone buzzed and she looked down at the text from Agent Fuller:

"Nacombe is on detail tonight, but if you'll text me when you are sure you're secure and I'll kill your transmitter for a few hours. –CF"

Veronica was shocked to hear from her fellow agent. They had bonded over the course of the few days they trained, but Veronica never expected them to be BFF's. This was almost an offer of friendship. She would have had to suspect that Veronica might find herself in a position that she didn't want broadcast for all the FBI to hear, and greatly appreciated the offer. While Veronica still hadn't gotten a good read on her yet, she suspected that there was much more to Agent Fuller than met the eye.

"Thanks. Will do," Veronica shot back, just as they came to a stop.

The driver opened the door and Veronica could smell the water. She smiled and stepped out, a little surprised to see that they were not at the restaurant in Old Town, but instead, she looked out over the harbor and saw several boats and private yachts tied up. The driver escorted her to one of these private yachts were a smiling and handsomely-dressed Logan was waiting to take her hand.

"What in the world is all this?" Veronica questioned.

"It's a surprise. You have been working hard this summer, but so have I. I just wanted to show you what I have been up to."

Veronica smiled. It's as if Logan had read her mind earlier. She was very curious as to what he had been doing all this time. She was certainly eager to see, but leave it to Logan to make it as dramatic as all this.

"Well, I have to say I am curious, but…"

"Just relax and enjoy it, okay?"

"Please just tell me this boat isn't yours," Veronica smiled, almost afraid to hear his answer.

"Not yet," Logan smirked. "I'm just borrowing it right now."

They ventured out into the Chesapeake slowly, enjoying the view. When they finally pulled up to dock, Veronica had no idea where they were.

"Where are we, Logan?"

"This is Tangier Island."

"Seems quiet."

"It is. Small, quaint, and secluded. The only way to get here is by boat or air. Can you believe there isn't even an ATM?"

"No. So why are you here?"

Logan helped Veronica off the boat and they walked up the dock towards a golf cart that looked brand new.

"Your carriage, my lady," Logan smirked.

Veronica was nearly speechless. She just sat down and thought of the reasons they must be here.

Logan drove up the road to a charming little bed and breakfast Veronica thought looked as if it were straight out of a painting of Americana. It looked so peaceful and beautiful. Nothing like her normal life. Logan noticed her smile and bright eyes.

"You like it?"

"It's so…quaint? But not in a bad way. It's…it's…it looks like a fairy tale."

"So, all that is good, right?"

Veronica looked at him sideways.

"Logan, what's all this about? Are we spending the weekend here?"

"Well, not exactly. I bought the place."

"You, what?"

"I bought it. It's a great investment. Turn-key operation. The owners are getting ready to retire in a few years and were looking to put the place on the market. I got the heads up and made them an offer. They'll continue to run the place for a few years, then…well, then we'll see. It's really an amazing investment. I couldn't understand why they'd want to give it up, but they've done well, saved up, and they want to be able to spend time with the grandkids. Their kids live on the mainland, in Maryland, and they spend most of the summer here, but they'd like to be less tied down as the grandkids get older."

"Wow," was all Veronica could say.

"Wow? That's all you got?"

"Right now, yeah," Veronica quipped.

Logan smiled and grabbed her hand.

"Let's go. I'll introduce you."

He led Veronica through the white picket fence gate and up the walkway to the front of the inn. Inside, it was just as she pictured it would be. It was tastefully decorated, with all the feel of a time gone by. An era of whimsy and wonder, when American history breathed itself into everything. Colonial Americana was apparently still alive and well in this quaint little part of the country. Logan introduced her to the owners and they exchanged pleasantries. They showed her around the inn and waved goodbye as she and Logan walked back towards the golf cart.

"So how are you going to manage this from so far away?"

"I told you, it practically runs itself. Plus, next summer, when we're back…"

"Next summer? We?"

"Come on, you're already on secret training missions. I'll be surprised if they let you finish college in Neptune before you're back here putting in eighty-hour weeks for the bureau."

Veronica couldn't help but noticed how he completely steered clear of the "we" part of her question.

"Let's go. The other part of the surprise is on the other side of the island."

"The other part?" Veronica asked, forgetting all about her last question.

They drove around the island to a remote section where there were only a few houses. Mostly colonial estates, but a few modern looking homes were spaced within. En route, Veronica decided to go ahead and text agent Fuller. For some reason she couldn't quite discern, she thought that it might be a good idea to go dark on the ole FBI. Finally, Logan pulled up to the end of a long driveway that wound back into some trees, headed towards the water. He turned down the path and Veronica soon saw the trees open up into a beautiful stately colonial-style estate. It looked like it was not that old, even though the architecture suggested otherwise. It overlooked the water, she could tell, with even a path that seemed to lead right to the bay.

"Logan…"

"Welcome, home, Veronica."

"What?"

"This was my other investment on the island. A different kind of investment than the B and B, but…"

"Logan, I…what…"

"come on," Logan said, taking her hand and leading her up the steps to the front door. "It's an old colonial estate, but there's been a lot of work done. Everything has been updated to bring it into the twenty-first century, but still leaving a definite old-world feel."

"It's amazing."

Logan led her through the house, showing her every tile, every chandelier. Veronica understood that he was showing off his choices. He didn't say that he was responsible for the renovations, but she knew. Everything was beautiful. He led her out onto a veranda that overlooked the water. It was breathtaking. It was set up for a perfect candlelight dinner. Veronica was blown away.

"It's beautiful, Logan. But…"

He placed a finger gently on her lips and led her to the railing. He pulled something from his jacket pocket and knelt down on one knee in front of her. She stopped breathing. She would have passed out if Logan hadn't grabbed her hand, the feeling generating enough electricity to jolt her into forcing a breath.

"Veronica, you are the love of my life…of a thousand lifetimes. I know it hasn't always been easy, and I can't promise that it will ever be, but I can promise that I will love you as long as I live. Will you please do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"