Page 40 of Christmas In Love

“Can I take you on a date?” he asked, pressing a long kiss to the top of her head, his arms tightening around her. “Tonight? And tomorrow, too. Maybe the day after.”

“I don’t know, I’ll have to check my calendar...” she teased. Her hands released his coat just long enough to loop around his neck.

His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her, but his mouth was smiling. He bent to kiss her again, murmuring against her lips, “Does this convince you?”

“Definitely.”

Epilogue

Natalie

“Willyoubeintown next week for Valentine’s Day? Or am I coming to you?” The phone was between her shoulder and ear while she logged out of her computer. Already, the B&B was booked for the week in question.

“I was planning on coming down, but could I come a little early?” Cade asked.

“No, I’d hate to see you earlier than expected. That would be torture.” Natalie pushed from the desk. “When and for how long do I get you?”

“Now.” But his voice didn’t come from the phone; it came from the doorway.

The phone almost dropped from her shoulder as she straightened up. “Cade.”

“Hi.” His grin was almost as wide as hers as he crossed the entry to wrap his arms around her, kissing her like it had been two years, rather than two weeks since they last saw each other.

“And in regards to your second question, I was thinking forever,” he said.

She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. Forever?

“I got a job at the hospital in Woodcastle. I start next week.” He watched her—waiting for her reaction.

Inside, she was cheering. But her mind still occasionally struggled to separate reason from ingrained feelings of unworthiness.

“You’re moving? For me?” There was a hint of suspicion in her tone that she couldn’t erase. That anyone would put her first in such a way was unbelievable. But also not anymore. Cade had been showing her over and over again just how much he cared about her.

“No, actually, I did it for me. I need more time than phone dates and the occasional long weekend. I want you always.”

She finally let her smile out. “I approve of your selfish motivations.”

“I’d hoped you would.”

Natalie pressed her lips together, unsuccessfully stopping her growing grin. She leaned in for another kiss, but Cade only gave her a peck before leaning back. “There’s one more thing.”

He grabbed both her hands, pulling her out the front door. It was still cold enough that snow blanketed the ground in a fine layer of white snow that glistened in the setting sun, but her eyes skipped past this. In the small front courtyard were dozens of photos strung up on lines of lights. She walked closer. It was them; her and Cade. Pictures from their dating years plus pictures from the last six weeks. Her visits to Denver, his to Greenbank. Family dinners, double dates, the New Year’s ball in Woodcastle he’d taken her to.

She turned around smiling. “What is all—” She stopped.

He was on one knee.

He was pulling something out of his pocket.

Her breath caught as he opened the small, velvet box to reveal the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen.

“Natalie Taylor, I want a million more memories with you. And I don’t want any more memories without you.” He swallowed; she thought she saw his hands shake. “I’ve waited years to give you this ring. Please say you’ll marry me?”

For the first time in a relationship, she didn’t need to think. She had never been more sure about one word in her entire life.

“Yes,” she whispered, pulling him back to a stand and pressing her lips to his. “Yes, yes, yes!”